How Street Photography Saved My Life — Twice

A Wake-Up Call in 2011: Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

There’s a common saying that photography can change the way you see the world. In my case, street photography didn’t just change how I see — it quite literally saved my life. Twice. And that’s not an exaggeration or hyperbole.

Back in 2011, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Like many, I didn’t take the diagnosis seriously enough at the time. I regret now that I didn’t manage it properly during those early years.

A Life-Changing Move to Weston-super-Mare

It wasn’t until I relocated to Weston-super-Mare in 2021 that things took a dramatic turn. During a routine review, my new healthcare team were shocked by my some of my past results — especially those from 2017.

They told me, quite bluntly, that I was lucky to be alive. Based on the numbers alone, they couldn’t understand how I hadn’t suffered a heart attack or stroke back then. That was quite hard to hear and certainly focuses one’s mind.

Facing Covid-19 in 2020: Another Close Call

Then, as if one health scare wasn’t enough, March 2020 brought its own challenge. While in Spain, I contracted Covid-19.

It knocked me off my feet for six weeks, but despite the severity, my respiratory system held strong, and I was never hospitalised. I made a full recovery. Again, I was lucky. But I believe it wasn’t just luck.

Walking With a Camera: The Street Photography Lifestyle

Street photography had become my lifeline. Long before fitness trackers and step goals became mainstream, I was already walking tens of thousands of steps each day with my camera in hand. Capturing candid moments on the streets gave me a reason to move, to walk, to explore.

From Benidorm to Bristol: 50,000 Steps a Day

On many days, I’d hit 20,000 steps without thinking. My personal record? Over 50,000 steps in a single day, walking the streets of Benidorm. Believe me, I ached after!

That dedication to walking, hunting humour, and chasing fleeting moments through public spaces — it’s what kept my heart and lungs strong. It’s what helped me recover when things could have easily gone the other way.

From Survival to Thriving: A Health Turnaround

Today, my diabetes is properly managed. My blood sugar levels are now in the range of someone without diabetes. My blood pressure is steady and healthy. I feel better now than I did a decade ago. And I owe a huge part of that to my passion for street photography.

Street Photography as a Form of Therapy

For me, street photography isn’t just about taking photos. It’s a form of movement, mindfulness, and meditation. It’s about being present in the world while keeping myself active and connected.

Whether I’m photographing in Weston-super-Mare, Bristol, or wandering foreign streets, the rhythm of walking with a camera continues to be both creatively and physically healing.

Final Thoughts: Let Photography Lead You Forward

If you’re struggling with your health or searching for purpose, I can’t recommend street photography enough. It might not only help you see the world differently — it might just save your life too.

Has street photography or another creative endeavour ever helped you in ways you didn’t expect? Drop a comment below — I’d really love to hear from you.

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