People come into our lives for a reason and the timing is always perfect. This is Dave – he has faced shadows most of us can only imagine and yet he’s determined to turn his pain into purpose. Through his Sandbach Men Walking and Talking group and beyond, he’s created safe spaces where men can share openly, find connection, and remind each other they’re not alone.
When he walked into an event I was photographing women’s headshots at recently, I knew I had to take the chance to grab a photo. We’d talked for so long about creating a portrait together, and the timing felt right. What we captured is one of the most powerful portraits I’ve ever taken — raw, soulful, and full of strength.
Dave shared these words alongside his portrait:
“This past month has brought me to tears more times than I can count, more than I’ve cried in the last two years. It’s been a heavy weight on my heart, leaving me feeling broken and my mind completely numb. There were moments when I felt like life was slipping away from me, but I know deep down it’s not my time to go. I choose to stay and fight, embracing both the highs and the lows that life brings. I’m learning to look at myself with love and gratitude for everything I have, even in the darkest moments. If you’re struggling too, please know you’re not alone. Speak up, reach out. Find a way.”
His tattoo says it best: “always towards better things.”
This portrait is more than just an image to me. It’s a reminder of the power of honesty and vulnerability. It shows that even when life feels unbearably heavy, hope can still be found in connection and courage.
If you are struggling with your mental health, please don’t go through it in silence. Reach out to the Samaritans, or connect with Dave’s Men Walking and Talking groups. There is help, and there is hope.
Photography, for me, has always been about emotion and storytelling. Whether it’s newborn photography in my Sandbach studio, a milestone session, or portraits like this one — my goal is always the same: to capture images that truly mean something, that tell a story, and that will be treasured for years to come.
