About

Samjhana has travelled independently around the world she and continues to be enchanted by human expression, cultural variety and the endless diversity of terrain across the globe. Creating visual accounts of her journey through life, Samjhana frames intuitively and from the heart. "My adventurous spirit and philosophy takes me on long excursions away from the pressures of modern living. The freedom of this lifestyle allows me to observe the world with a pure and open mind. Connecting deeply with people and places that inspire me, photography allows me to share my positive experiences with others. It is my hope that the beauty and diversity of this planet and its people shine through my images, instill feelings of compassion within the viewer and inspire us to work together to rediscover harmony with nature in our modern world."

The Early Years

Born and raised in multi-cultural West London, Samjhana was a xenophile long before she knew the meaning of the word.  She discovered her passion for photography at an early age, developing and furthering her interest in studio portraiture and black and white printing in her mid teens. She began exploring rural areas of the UK during her college years and discovered a great love for wide-open spaces. Her first taste of freedom came at age seventeen when she walked Coast to Coast across the British Lake district and Yorkshire Dales. This 190 mile walk with the first of many back-packs loaded with full camping gear was a liberating experience that paved the way to greater things. Feeling deeply connected to the lands she explored Samjhana developed an interest in the ancient ways. Inspired by our ancestry she adopted the Pagan way of life as her own, honouring the cycle of life, utilising the energies of the Moon and Planetary alignments to enhance her life's direction.

Aged 19 she moved to the greener lands of Surrey and worked for Nikon for seven years seeing through the birth and development of the digital era of photography from inside the industry. Her time here through two promotions afforded her many years of free equipment hire to fuel her passion for where she also resurrected the darkroom so she might continue to process B&W prints.

Travelling extensively throughout the UK in her early twenties, Samjhana's photographic focus naturally shifted to capturing images of the landscapes she visited. Her artistic eye for shape and form instrumental in producing images of great depth and dynamic composition. Her most treasured collection of wild landscapes were gathered during a seven month round the world trip in 2002/3. It was during this journey passing through eight countries that she fell in love with the beauty and rugged terrain of the South American continent.

An Awakening

Samjhana returned to England briefly before emigrating to the picturesque Island of Bermuda. Here she spent four years enjoying the sub-tropical climate, developing skills and focusing on her personal development whilst also working as an Events Organiser to fund her past and future travels.

Her most recent ten month excursion to Asia in 2007/8 reignited her love of portraiture and deepened her understanding of humanity and her true-self. The climax of which was a thirty day trek in the Annapurna region reaching a height of 5,400 meters with a Nepali guide for company. Adventuring into wilderness and forming close relationships with peoples of foreign lands is an area in which she excels.

The Birth of Goddess Portraiture

Returning to London following six years overseas, Samjhana sensed a great displacement of feminine energy leaving both women and men confused by their roles in society, their relationship to each other and to our beautiful planet. She looked for a ways to channel her knowledge and creativity so that it might benefit others. Driven by a desire to to reignite our innate wisdom and encourage appreciation of our deep connection with Mother Nature to redress the balance. Offering individuals a new perspective through creative photography, she hoped to dispel insecurities to make way for healing, self-acceptance and personal growth.

Samjhana seized an opportunity to share her vision by creating and exhibiting a collection titled "The Goddess Within" which contributed to Photomonth 09. This project later became the foundation for Goddess Portraiture which Samjhana created in response to inspiring feedback from the Women featured and further encouraged by professional reviews of her Portfolio.

Gratitude

Samjhana's work today combines her passion for people and natural landscapes which is demonstrated beautifully within Goddess Portraiture. Samjhana believes she is truly blessed to have found her vocation, incorporating all her skills, knowledge and experience gained from a life less ordinary to help others with transitional chapters on their life path.

Samjhana prides herself on a life of non-violence and respect for our eco-system by adopting a Vegan diet and practicing a sustainable lifestyle. Observing acts of kindness in every moment with a positive  mind, voice and heart, she hopes to bring light and love to those around her and advise of natural alternatives to yield a healthy harmonious future for our children.

"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, it is loaned to us by our children."           Native American Proverb