October last year saw me laid up on the couch recovering from a broken leg after having a scare in the mountains that could have easily taken my life. I discovered that we humans are funny creatures and frequently fabricate reasons not to do the very things that would give us great joy and happiness. These things get put into perspective after ‘near miss’ incidents.

Photo New Zealand has always been a stock library that I have respected. Some of my favourite and most admired NZ Photographers are contributors, I could only dream of contributing to Photo New Zealand, my ‘hardest critic’ (that’s me!) constantly informing me that my work wasn’t good enough and couldn’t stand along side the likes of Mike Langford, Mark Watson,Rob Brown, Craig Potton and so many more.

So, being bored on the couch, but with an altered mindset and perspective of what life should and could be about, I sent an email to Photo New Zealand asking what it takes to become a contributor to their stock library. With in 24 hours I received an email saying, “We’ve taken a look at your work and would like to invite you to join us.” If I could have, I would have jumped for joy (my broken leg didn’t allow this), instead, I smiled the largest smile I could, shook my arms and hands in the air and let out a loud “yippee”!

It's been a busy few months since then and I have finally got around to loading up some images to Photo New Zealand. Now, when I search the stock library under some subjects I see my images sitting along side those New Zealand photographers who have consistently inspired me and continue to do so.

So, if you think it is impossible, you think it is risky and you think it is pointless … do it anyway – it might give you that feeling of happiness and joy that you have been seeking!

"It's impossible," said pride.

"It's risky," said experience.

“It’s pointless,” said reason.

“Give it a try,” whispered the heart.