The project ‘Pathways to Peace’ is a body of photographic works that act as an exploration into nature and its connection with mental health. When creating these works, I was inspired by Impressionist painters and how they used brush strokes to create emotion, which allowed me to focus on colour, light, and texture. The use of intentional camera movement helps to achieve this look and allowed me to focus on the emotions evoked by the outdoors; focusing on the quiet moments in nature that invite feelings of calm and renewal.

From my research, I found that spending time in nature offers a powerful reset for both mental and physical well-being. It lowers stress, eases anxiety, and reduces rumination, by giving the mind a break from constant stimulation and public demands. Research shows that exposure to natural spaces improves mood and emotional resilience, enhances concentration by restoring attention, and even supports better sleep and lower blood pressure.

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