Finding Light Journal
Discover Brad Carr’s Acclaimed Creative Essays at the Intersection of Purpose, Identity, Belonging & Healing
Brad Carr
Brad Carr writes at the intersection of photography and personal transformation through creativity and Nature. His acclaimed creative essays invite readers to slow down, observe more, and find the light that exists within their own hearts.
Through thought-provoking, introspective musings that emerge from years of wandering amongst ancient Welsh oak and silver birch trees in silence and meditation, writing in his journal, and mentoring fellow photographers, he explores the inner landscape and events that shape our vision.
These powerful, sometimes visceral, reflections offer sanctuary for those seeking to deepen their artistic practice, unearth their authentic voice, or discover how mindful observation and stillness become pathways to deep healing and creative power.
If you don’t know where to start, Brad recommends The Spirit of Place, Photographing Feelings, or Learning to See Again, all of which offer an insight into the depth of the artist’s mind and creative philosophies.
If you enjoy these essays, you might wish to explore Beyond Technique, a brand-new publication dedicated to helping photographers and creative entrepreneurs unlock their creative potential and transform their mindsets.
Creativity is Inner Alchemy
By creating something beautiful from the place of our deepest struggles, we disarm our most frightening demons." This is the story of how creativity became my greatest healing tool—transforming childhood trauma into art, fear into purpose, and pain into power. Sometimes our darkest caves contain the light we've been searching for.
Achieving Catharsis Through Nature Photography
In this essay, I reflect upon a year that has brought about many changes within myself; a year through which I have been writing a lot more that photographing, and uncovering a much deeper sense of purpose for my art.
Finding Home in Wales
In this blog post, I reflect upon the events that led me to a life of creativity here in Wales…
Photographing the Spirit within Trees
‘But this isn’t just a tree. It’s a spirit! How do you photograph a spirit?’
I do my best to answer this fascinating question that was posed to me recently…
Seeking Stillness
As I walk along the dusty track, I pass by many of the wicked and wild trees that have been decorating this small corner of the Gwydir Forest for a century or more. There are a handful of oaks but the majority of them here are silver birch trees that love these damp upland moorland environments. I’m just a tiny speck of dust beneath most of the trees, and, despite my hair being a little thinner in some places than it once was, one glance at their weathering bark makes me appreciate my youth. The young should respect their elders, so I pause for a moment to think about how little I know, and how much I still have yet to learn from them.
How My Love of Woodland Photography was Born
In this entry, I dig down to my roots to learn about why I enjoy woodland photography so much…
The Best of 2021: My Year in Photographs
Photos and short stories from some memorable photography trips. An entire years worth of photographs broken down into 7 categories.
A Year Amongst Trees
Thoughts and reflections from a year exploring and photographing UK woodland.
How Lockdown Project in Welshpool Changed My Photography for the Better
Part one of my local area photography projects that I adopted through the lockdowns here in Welshpool, Mid Wales.