17/09/2025

When I took up photography almost 10 years ago, I had no idea it would help me on a journey of reconnecting to the world. For me, creative expression has been very healing. So too has been taking the time to allow my body and mind to heal.

There’s often a wall of silence that surrounds intergenerational trauma, and few people know that its impacts have been at the forefront of most of my life. I guess because after each setback (and there’s been a few) I’ve managed to rebuild and keep going.

I can talk about important life events in order. For example, when I was 27 I represented New Zealand at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in China. In my thirties I earned university qualifications and gave birth to my son. But that’s not the story of my life which is difficult to tell in a linear way as it’s often felt messy, uncertain and just plain hard.

When my friend turned up with his camera one day, it was at least six months before I picked it up. I remember aimlessly wandering around my backyard in the bright sunlight and crouching to snap bees as they landed on the numerous dandelions. When I looked through the viewfinder I was awestruck by the beauty and detail that I couldn’t see with the naked eye.

From that moment I obsessively took photos to try and capture beauty. After a while I progressed to street photography, and then also found the courage to ask people about their lives. These positive exchanges felt like a mutual opening of the heart. Each time I’d walk away feeling a little more emboldened and connected to the courage and goodness in people.

It became increasingly clear that while I loved these exchanges, I really wanted to find a way to express my own story. When I finally commenced that project, it turned into an outpouring of grief. I think unprocessed trauma sees us increasingly shut down and healing is the process of opening up. Not just to beauty, but also to feelings, such as grief, sadness and anger.

For me those moments of connection and openness I have shared with people on my travels have been drips in my ever-increasing bucket of healing. And I believe we are now at a time in history when stories the foster understanding, hope and courage are more important than ever.

My Story by Lynne Warring