Lessons; Realisations; Reflections from 2023/2024 season
2024 has been a year full of growth, challenges, and plenty of moments that made me stop and think.
From personal milestones to professional wins (and misses), it’s been about learning, evolving, and taking it all in. These lessons and reflections are a snapshot of what shaped me this past year and what’s inspiring me moving forward.
1. Happiness is always evolving.
Happiness is a moving target, shaped by our experiences, maturity, wisdom, curiosity, intuition, and ongoing education. Over time, what brings us joy often shifts, evolving alongside our personal growth and changing perspectives. What once seemed like a source of happiness—a job, a relationship, or a milestone—might fade in significance as we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world.
I have written an extended piece on notes that I have collated over the years which I will publish soon, inspired from some great conversations with some lovely souls from Vancouver.
(Side note: coincidentally, Vancouver has been ranked one of the top 10 most liveable and happiest places in the world by the Economist over the past few years.)
2. Incentives for a sustainable future have to be realigned.
“The restoration of the planet will come out of a shift in human consciousness”
Martha Beck sums it up brilliantly: The point is HOW to create this shift.
Tackling climate change and fostering sustainability demands a rethinking and fundamental shift of incentives. It’s not just about regulations, morality, donations and white papers that basically tell us that there is a good chance we are heading for doom; it’s about embedding environmental responsibility into the core of economic systems, where economic growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
Capitalism, for all its contributions to global innovation and prosperity, has overlooked a critical element: the environmental costs of growth. These “externalities”—pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss—are borne by the planet, not reflected on profits. This misalignment creates a dangerous disconnect between bottom line and the state of our planet. This is exactly where incentives need to be aligned.
Akshat Rathi’s book Climate Capitalism captures this concept powerfully. Through compelling stories, it illustrates how rethinking capitalism can drive a sustainable future, where profit doesn’t come at the expense of the planet but works to restore it. Examples of businesses and economies already embracing this model show that change is not just necessary—it’s possible.
How do we get to a point where the mass population think about a sustainable future like the way we think about bottom line? I do not know the precise solution here, but I know it’s brewing somewhere above.
3. My people are crucial.
Behind every image I capture is an incredible team whose contributions are often unseen but absolutely essential. Family, friends, and people on the ground provide the access, support, and perspective that enable me to do my best work. I might be the photographer behind the finished image, but those moments are the result of a collective effort. Whether it’s guides who navigate challenging terrains, fixers who arrange logistics, or loved ones who keep me grounded and support me in this creative vocation, their roles are vital.
I recently finished a piece on the underrated importance of this team—the ones who work tirelessly in the background, often without recognition. From logistical challenges to emotional encouragement, they are the unsung heroes of every project. Without them, many of the moments I’ve captured simply wouldn’t exist.
To me, acknowledging their role isn’t just about gratitude; it’s about recognising that no success is truly solo. As Chase Jarvis says over and over again - find A-Grade people to work with. Your experience and work will be A-Grade too.
4. Creativity is hard to define and difficult to find.
Creativity is a mysterious, fluid force—hard to define and even harder to control. It’s not something I can turn on and off at will. It comes and goes, often at unexpected moments, refusing to schedules and routines. Creativity thrives on freedom, curiosity, and sometimes even rest, rather than pressure or rigid expectations. While the unpredictability of creativity can be frustrating, it’s also what makes it so magical. It’s a reminder that the best ideas often emerge when we let go, stay curious, and embrace the process instead of obsessing over the outcome.
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin has been such a brillaint book on the concept - it may seem wishy washy, I would advise to read with an open mind and heart.
Play, rest, listen and let this energy find you.
5. Finding inspiration through a mindful lens.
The deeper I venture into this creative journey of photography, the more I’ve come to appreciate life’s smallest details; whether it’s the intricate pattern of a leaf, the quiet determination in an animal’s eyes, or the interplay of light and shadow across a landscape. This awareness extends beyond my work and creative process; it shapes who I am as a person.
Inspiration isn’t confined to monumental events; it often emerges in the quiet and subtle moments. I try draw inspiration from a wide array of sources—nature, art, meaningful conversations, travel, music, a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and interviews like this one with Jon Batiste. These collective experiences help to ground me, deepen my sensitivity, and help me see the world with fresh eyes - all key ingredients to fuel my creative spectrum.
This heightened awareness (if you like) is a gift of the creative process—teaching you to slow down, truly observe, and find meaning and beauty in the ordinary. The Japanese call this Yutori.
6. How can I be more sustainable?
I’m always trying (key word: trying) to do a little more to live sustainably. It’s a long journey, and even the small steps count. The following are some of the most impactful ways I believe can contribute to a more sustainable future, some of which I am acting upon and others I need to work more on.
The Big Three (inspired by Chris Packham)
1. Consider Overpopulation: While it’s a deeply personal choice (and somewhat controversial), limiting family size can significantly reduce your environmental footprint. Overpopulation strains resources and accelerates climate challenges. It’s not easy to answer the question as to what number is the tipping point, but we are currently at 8 billion people - just in my lifetime, the global population has almost doubled.
2. Go Veggie (or Reduce Meat Consumption): Livestock farming requires vast amounts of land, water, and energy. Reducing meat consumption, even partially, can help ease the strain on our ecosystems.
3. Rethink Your Bank Account, Invest in the Planet: One of the most impactful yet often overlooked ways to live more sustainably is to reconsider where your money is stored and how it’s used. Traditional banks often invest heavily in industries like fossil fuels, deforestation, and large-scale industrial agriculture—sectors that significantly contribute to climate change and environmental degradation. I cannot emphasise how significant this point is, hence have expanded on this one a little.
The Problem
Most major banks prioritise profits over sustainability (you could argue most corporations!), channeling customers’ savings and investments into industries with high returns but significant environmental costs. These include financing coal, oil, and gas extraction, supporting deforestation for agriculture or mining, and funding large-scale infrastructure projects that harm ecosystems. This focus on short-term profit often comes at the expense of long-term environmental health.
Even if you live a sustainable lifestyle, the money in your bank account might be working against your values by enabling environmental harm.
To spot greenwashing in financial institutions, look for transparency in how they invest, with clear examples of sustainable projects and third-party certifications like B Corp. Be wary of vague claims, over-reliance on carbon offsets, or continued funding of fossil fuels. Check their history of environmental advocacy and verify that “green” products are genuinely impactful.
Here are some resources that provide further information and transparency on the banking sector, the status of your current bank and many other insights that are generally overlooked:
BankTrack: https://www.banktrack.org/banks
Rainforest Action Network: https://www.ran.org/the-understory/banking-on-biodiversity-collapse-2024-banks-and-investors-continue-to-finance-deforestation-while-governments-are-asleep-at-the-wheel/
Banking On Climate Chaos: https://www.bankingonclimatechaos.org/?bank=JPMorgan%20Chase#fulldata-panel
Some solutions
Ethical banks and credit unions are financial institutions that prioritise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors when deciding where to invest, such as renewable energy projects, community-focused development, sustainable agriculture and conservation efforts.
Look for institutions certified as B Corps, or those listed under sustainability watchdogs like BankTrack. Some examples include Triodos Bank, Aspiration, and Ecology Building Society.
To spot greenwashing in financial institutions, look for transparency in how they invest, with clear examples of sustainable projects and third-party certifications like B Corp. Be wary of vague claims, over-reliance on carbon offsets, or continued funding of fossil fuels. Check their history of environmental advocacy and verify that “green” products are genuinely impactful.
Changing where you bank might seem like a small action, but it has a ripple effect. The more people demand ethical banking, the more pressure it puts on traditional banks to shift their practices.
Here are some resources that highlight greener financial institutions:
MyMotherTree: https://www.mymothertree.com/
Bank.Green: https://bank.green/
Switch It Green: https://www.switchit.green/about
Your money has power—use it to invest in the world you want to see. I know it sounds like a lot; it might be, but it helps. A shift in mindset is needed.
Other Practical Steps
Say No to Fast Fashion: Prioritise quality over quantity. Look for Certified B Corp brands—they’re pricier but far more sustainable and ethical. Fast fashion fuels environmental destruction, exploitative labor, and waste.
Buy Real Food: Opt for fresh, seasonal, locally-sourced produce whenever possible. It’s better for your health, supports smallholder farmers, and reduces the carbon footprint of processed foods.
Have you heard of “Planned Obsolescence”?
“As long as we define success by producing more stuff and more stuff, we are in trouble.”
The Netflix documentary Buy Now introduced me to the term “planned obsolescence”—the practice of designing products with intentionally short lifespans to encourage repeat purchases, a concept founded decades ago by a group of senior marketing executives. While it’s profitable for companies, it’s devastating for the environment. This concept is particularly used in the electronics space.
Products are created without accountability for their afterlife, adding to landfills and perpetuating waste. Akshat Rathi’s Climate Capitalism underscores this point: our current economic model doesn’t account for the environmental cost of production or disposal. Shifting this narrative is crucial for a sustainable future. The question to me is always HOW, something I touch on point two.
“We simply cannot recycle our way out of all this stuff that they want us to buy.”
A couple of special mentions from Buy Now: iFixit, founded by Kyle Wiens and Luke Soules, and Framework, founded by Nirav Patel, are reshaping consumer electronics with sustainability at their core. iFixit provides free repair guides and sells tools and parts, empowering users to fix devices and combat e-waste. Framework creates modular, repairable laptops with easily replaceable parts, extending product lifespans and reducing environmental impact. Both companies challenge the throwaway culture by promoting repairability and transparency, paving the way for a more sustainable tech industry.
Sustainability isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Every mindful choice we make helps tip the balance in favour of the planet. What small changes will you try next?
7. OMG, my health!
As I’ve grown older (and hopefully wiser), I’ve come to realise that health isn’t something you can just put on hold—it’s the foundation for everything else. Over the years, I’ve made meaningful changes to prioritise sleep, rethink my diet, stay active, and find balance.
Sleep is everything. I can’t stress enough how important consistent, deep, uninterrupted sleep has become for me—though that’s wishful thinking with a child and a wife who kicks in her sleep! I realise more just how critical rest is to overall health and balance.
Food is another pillar I’ve refined over time. I’ve focused on eating better for years, but now I prioritise sustainability and quality. We source produce locally, support small farmers, and avoid processed, packaged “food-like substances,” as Michael Pollan so aptly calls them. A few years ago, I gave up meat and fish for environmental reasons and saw health benefits too. However, I struggled with protein intake and reintroduced small amounts of sustainably sourced meat, athough seafood remains off the table (thanks, Seaspiracy). Avoiding packaged goods and choosing real, fresh food makes a world of difference, not only for the planet but for your health.
“Instead of food, we’re consuming “edible foodlike substances” — no longer the products of nature but of food science. Many of them come packaged with health claims that should be our first clue they are anything but healthy. In the so-called Western diet, food has been replaced by nutrients, and common sense by confusion. ”
Alcohol is another area where I’ve made changes. While I never drank heavily, I’ve cut down significantly, with red wine being a rare exception—more for the experience than anything else. Reading and learning about alcohol’s impact on the brain was a wake-up call that kept me off it entirely for months! Ultimately, though, it’s about balance: living well while living a little.
Exercise and staying active are essential parts of my routine, not just for maintaining physical fitness but also for mental well-being. Yoga has been particularly transformative, improving my mobility, flexibility, and posture while providing a much-needed sense of calm and mental clarity.
Health is an evolving journey, shaped by better habits, smarter choices, and learning what truly works for me. Sleep well, eat well, stay active, and embrace activities such as yoga and meditation—finding your balance in all these areas is where it all begins.
8. Explore at Least One New Location and Species a Year
Travel is a huge part of my work, mostly across Africa, but I try to make each trip count rather than traveling too often. For example, when we went to Thailand for a family wedding, I used the chance to visit Borneo and photograph orangutans—something that had been high on my list for ages. That trip made me realise just how much I need to explore the world more—new species, new stories, new people making a difference. There’s something incredibly powerful about traveling to a new place—the exposure, the way it feeds your intuition, meeting people, and immersing yourself in their cultures.
9. I fell back in love with reading.
This year, I rediscovered my love for reading, and it’s been like reconnecting with an old friend. Books have fuelled my creativity and offered fresh perspectives. A few standouts that truly inspired me: The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin, Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon, A Creative Quest by Questlove, and A Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life by Boyd Varty.
10. Who’s your best teacher?
The other day, my son told me I am one of the two best teachers he has. The other? Anna, his Montessori school teacher. Hearing that was one of those rare, heartwarming moments that completely stops you in your tracks. It reminded me that the lessons we teach our kids—whether through words, actions, or simply being present—leave a lasting impact. It’s humbling and inspiring all at once.
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Some of these areas might take years to fully come together, but 2024 has been a year of greater intent and awareness—just a little more than 2023.
Wishing you a year filled with endless inspiration, boundless creativity, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the world around you.
Thank you for reading this piece and hope it has given you even the slightest of inspiration.
