A Personal Story… for anyone who's struggling right now.

In 2020, my world quietly fell apart.

I’d spent years pushing through stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion—telling myself I was “fine.”
But the truth was, I was surviving, not living.

Then one day… I broke.
Completely.
And I didn’t know who I was anymore.

I felt like I was drowning in darkness—depression, confusion, numbness. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced.

But I wasn’t alone.

My wife, Janice, stood by me—patiently, lovingly—when I had nothing left to give.
She saw something in me I couldn’t see in myself.
And one day, she gently suggested I pick up my old camera—the one collecting dust on the shelf.

At first, I resisted. I felt too tired, too broken.
But she kept encouraging me. And eventually, I listened.

That one small act—picking up the camera—became the first step on a new path.

I went for a walk in the woods near our home. Just me, the trees, and the camera in my hand.
I spotted a bird on a branch, raised the lens, and focused.

📸 Click.

In that moment… something shifted.
The noise in my head quieted, just a little.
And for the first time in what felt like forever—I felt present.

It didn’t all change overnight.
But that simple moment opened a door.

Nature, and photography, slowly became my focus.
🌿 They gave me something to look forward to.
🌅 Something to feel.
🦋 Something real when everything else felt overwhelming.

Each photograph I took became a reflection of where I was—tender moments of stillness, hope, and healing.

If you’re in a dark place, please hear this:
You are not alone.

I’ve been there.
And if connecting with someone who’s walked that road helps even a little, I’m here.

📩 a.mulligan_photography@outlook.com

You don’t need the right words—just reach out if you need to.

And to my incredible wife Janice—
You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
You helped me find light when I only saw darkness.
This journey wouldn’t have started without you.
💛 Thank you, always. xxxx