ABOUT

REINDEER MOSS PHOTOGRAPHY

My medium format camera holds a roll of film with just ten negatives. It’s a slow and peaceful practice, a form of antidote to the fragmentation in the world.

With a therapeutic background, I’m often mulling over how what we see and experience impacts our individual and collective human nervous systems. Like many, I’m drawn to the beauty and wisdom within the natural world. Reindeer Moss Photography is my way of synthesising these ideas.

CAMERA AS PEACEFUL PARTNER

For me then, photography is a form of distilling a feeling or sensation, where the camera acts as a partner to moments of deep immersion in nature. It is also a way to imprint the gentle guidance within natural places where symbols and metaphors can ease and awaken fresh psychological perspectives.

Thanks for visiting. Please feel very welcome to get in touch if you have an enquiry.

Jac

  • Creative

    Creativity has always been a part of my life, in work terms encompassing an earlier period in independent commercial photography practice, time as an artist studio holder, college photography tutor, periods as visiting photography lecturer and six years as creative course leader in an alternative curriculum setting for young people (ages 16-18). In 2007, I undertook a Masters in Photography at The University of The Arts, London, where my explorations around instinctive human behaviour in pattern making, continued to evolve around human physical and psychological encounter with nature.

    Therapeutic & Pastoral

    In 2011, my personal photography practice ran in the background whilst I undertook personal development and professional training in Psychotherapy and Counselling at The University of Leeds. Overall, I have thirteen years cumulative experience of conducting: one-to-one therapeutic sessions; specialist mental health mentoring; facilitative pastoral sessions; cultivating safe group environments; co-creating individual and safety plans; multi-disciplinary team working and liaising with external agencies.

  • Reindeer Moss Photography

    In Winter 2023/4 I was delighted to be awarded an Arts Council England DYCP (Develop Your Creative Practice) grant; a significant step in renewed focus upon my photographic practice. Whilst I ceased direct mental health and support work in 2023, therapeutic principles are integral to my arts practice and Reindeer Moss Photography venture, which I launched in Jan 2025.

  • UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS, LONDON

    Master of Arts Photography

    UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS, UK

    Postgraduate Diploma Psychotherapy & Counselling with Distinction

    Certificate Counselling Skills & Theory with Distinction

    Joint Honours Degree Media & French

    SHIPLEY COLLEGE, West Yorkshire

    Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)


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    OTHER TRAINING

    Below is a snapshot of the types of continued professional development I undertook during my time working in therapeutic contexts. Sensitivity to how life experience differs for each of us travels with me.

    Participatory Photography Facilitation PhotoVoice

    Introduction to Art Therapy BAAT/Lliwio Art Therapy

    SPELL Autism Training National Autistic Society

    Gender Identity & Health (trans and non-binary awareness) Leeds Recovery College

    Working with young people with challenging behaviour in the outdoors J Cree & Where the Fruit Is

    Trees & Wellbeing Conference Oxford Brookes University

    Honour Based Violence Karma Nirvana

    Suicide Prevention Summit Mental Health Academy

    Professional Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Counselling Certification Staff Skills Training

    Overcoming Anxiety & Panic Attacks OSMHN

  • I undertake small design projects for independent therapeutic practitioners and socially focussed artists. If you are interested in bespoke websites or the design of posters, flyers, leaflets etc. find out more here‍.