Life is full of surprises & chance encounters!

Chance Encounters is with the editor and goes live on 7^th October, and it has one of my favourite covers. When I contacted designer Lindsay for a new cover, I gave her some locations mentioned in the book, but we struggled to find what we were looking for. Lindsay took to Facebook. I’m so glad she did, because we had a chance encounter ourselves, with a lovely chap, Adrian Wyatt. Not only did Adrian provide us with the perfect cover for Chance Encounters, he is also a really interesting man who’s led quite a life.

Today, Adrian is a professional photographer, but Adrian began his career as a police officer, serving for 30 years. For the last 18 years, he was a detective dealing with complex and sensitive cases. After retiring in 2010, Adrian worked in the faith community, both as a minister and a missionary. But five years ago, he found himself in a dark and troubling place and paid for the therapy needed to help him. Diagnosed with Complex PTSD and a chronic lack of self-worth, Adrian was encouraged to use photography and journalling to express what was inside, and photography became a healer. Here is an example of Adrian’s work:

“I see darkness differently.
I respect it but don’t fear it
It has an energy
One that draws me in
It is one that says come learn
It is a place of discovery,
It is a place of growth,
It is not that place of horror
It is a playground of imagination
It is not the place of screams
But laughter and play.
It is never static
But moves and dances
It is all these things
For the one who leaves fear aside
Who respects the entrance
Who steps in to play.”

Having travelled through such dark tunnels, Adrian recognised the benefits of creativity in photography and left his job to become self-employed. Unfortunately, lock down came a few days later. Undeterred, Adrian used this opportunity to learn, and to run online photography for well-being courses for adults with learning disabilities.

Today, Adrian runs photography courses aimed at well-being, including Mindful Photography, Photographic Journalling, and Photography Walks. He is passionate about keeping prices lower than average as a way of sharing the healing he found behind the lens.

His personal passion is street photography at night, and he continues to explore the nature of darkness and contrast in his images.