Who is Rick?

Primarily, Rick is a photographer that strongly dislikes talking himself about himself in the third person. He feels good to get that off his chest!

I’m a photographer of many things - street, landscapes, random sh*t you can find anywhere, and of course, traffic cones. I just like pointing my camera at things that make me curious, things that I can seemingly arrange neatly into a little aspect ratio and call it a photograph. I also like filmmaking and the two have in recent years come together in the form of an occasionally recommended YouTube Channel.

Mostly though, I love the fulfilment and joy that exploring the world through photography brings, but it wasn’t always that way….

What most people don’t see

For a long time, I struggled with a lot of different things that had me questioning my photography, my creativity, but mostly myself.

Things like crippling self doubt, perfectionism, procrastination, the occasional (but very debilitating) burnout and the constant feeling of ‘I really should be further along than this.’

I often overthink everything. I found myself making excuses for not really committing, like I was waiting for the right time or didn’t quite know enough. I tied my self worth to output, numbers, and validation from others (which resulted in yet another burnout).

For a long time I wasn’t doing the thing that I so desperately wanted to do (which can in part be explained by a late diagnosis of ADHD). Despite all these mental blocks and instances of self sabotage, I never stopped believing that I could make this work, and I learned an awful lot about myself, about creativity, and about photography in the process.

Where I am now didn’t come from any kind of hacks or short cuts. It came from consistently (well, sort of) doing the work, making mistakes, learning how my own brain works (and how to work with rather than against it), then building and tweaking systems and habits and ways of working that actually support my creative life rather than drain it.

And that’s exactly the place I try and help others get to, showing them just what is possible.

What I do now

I guess my work sort of sits in the intersection of photography and self development

On one side, I’m actively making things. Going out for regular photography trips, days or even just walks and making videos for YouTube. I know what it’s like to put things out there and seriously doubt it, but to force myself to do it anyway (and to keep doing it).

I’m working on photo projects, I’m printing my work, I’m creating tools that help people understand and get more from their photography and I’m constantly experimenting and looking to grow and learn as an artist.

On the other side, I work closely with people who want to reconnect with their creativity, build on it and learn to trust themselves again. Some are photographers. Some are filmmakers. In truth, many aren’t really even fully sure of what they are yet, but they know things aren’t going as they want and they feel really quite stuck.

This is where my group mentoring programme and 1:1 coaching sit, and these are probably the most rewarding things I get to do.

Why creative people work with me

I don’t think people don’t come to me because I’ve got everything figured out. At least I hope they don’t because quite clearly I haven’t. You will be glad to know that I do have an awesome track record of helping other people with this though, and it’s a strange paradox where coaches, therapists etc can often help people with the things they’re terrible at. It’s like the old saying, ‘those who can’t, teach’!

Anyway, people come to me because I’ve been through pretty much all of the sh*t that life throws at you. I’ve not hidden it, I’ve not pretended I’m all the way through it, but I’ve kept going and will continue to do so.

I know exactly what it’s like to feel lost and yet weirdly capable at the same time. To have experience, but almost zero clarity. To want more from a creative life but realising I don’t need to destroy the rest of it in getting there. Obviously I have considered moving to a cabin in the Canadian Wilderness multiple times though…

If that sounds familiar though, you’re in exactly the right place.

So, have a look at my photos, browse my store and if you can support me in any way I’ll be eternally grateful. If you feel like working with me would be beneficial (and it really is!)a then you can access group mentoring here, and 1:1 coaching here.

If you want to get in touch with me, you can email me here.

n.b. this contact email address IS NOT for brands, please use the button at the bottom of the page.

Working with brands

I also collaborate with brands whose products are (and have been) part of my workflow and assist me both creatively and in my business.

I don’t chase trends, or force gear into content where it doesn’t belong. If something appears in my work, it’s because I use it and see a place for it in the future. More often than not, this is long before there’s any conversation about working together.

Brands tend to work with me because my audience trusts me, and because the work I put out there prioritises longer term value over short term attention.

The aims are always the same. Honest integration, real world use, and natural storytelling. If something feels transactional, then it isn’t for me.