ABOUT ME
Hello, I'm Joe Jackson, a 26-year-old photographer from County Durham.
Throughout my childhood, I faced intense physical and verbal abuse from my parents. My father's hurtful comments, in which he questioned my abilities and labelled me a failure, were incredibly painful. But I found comfort and strength in photography. Through photography, I have gained belief and confidence in myself, proving my father wrong and showing that I am not a failure.
Through my camera lens, I have discovered my self-worth, defied expectations, and accomplished things I never thought possible.
My story is a reminder that a difficult past can be overcome.
Keep reading to learn more about me.
Discover My Story
I originally wanted to work in the creative media industry and be a Screenwriter. After finishing Secondary school, I continued on to sixth form and took a BTEC Creative Media course. Some things I learned on this course include working on projects such as making a music video, and creating a animation.
I used DSLR cameras to make videos while studying. My love for photography started when I tried taking pictures with a DSLR camera instead of recording videos, which helped me realize my dream of becoming a photographer.
My father granted me permission to use his DSLR camera, and I captured some flower photos. Despite my parents witnessing my photography, they never shared their opinions. Unfortunately, I had to stop my pursuit of photography due to the worsening physical and verbal abuse, which led to harmful thoughts.
In early 2017, I left my parents' home to escape the abuse and moved in with my grandparents and uncle after speaking up about the situation. I feel proud of myself for being brave enough to make this choice.
Ever since I left and moved away, I have grown as a person by receiving help, support, working towards the goals I have set for myself and my love for photography has re-entered my life.
Trauma Focused Therapy has been a challenging but important part of my healing journey.
Photography is a hobby I enjoy because it allows me to explore and stay focused on the present moment. When I take photos, I pay attention to the small details, my surroundings, and what's happening around me. I like photography because every time I go out with my camera, I never know what I'll capture.
The encouragement and support I receive from sharing my photos with others motivates me to continue improving and growing as a photographer. It is a great feeling to know that my hard work is paying off and that others are noticing and appreciating it.
I am now the person I always dreamed of being, not the person my abusive father predicted I would become. Photography gives me confidence and helps me believe in my potential to succeed in life, proving my father wrong.
My name is Joe Jackson, and I've had a passion for photography ever since I first held a DSLR camera and began capturing images.