Finding healing through photography

Stephen Radley is an award-winning photographer and a former Royal Air Force chaplain for the RAF. A member of the prestigious Guild of Photographers, Stephen’s talent behind the lens has won him two awards. He is now an ambassador for the Guild and uses his photography skills to promote wellbeing.

Here, Stephen captures key moments from his time at King’s and reflects on the healing impact photography and mindfulness have had on his mental health.

Finding like-minds at King’s

‘I loved my time at King’s. Within our student body, we had a real mix. This fed into the richness of the degree, and many of us are still in contact 12 years later.

‘A key memory is attending a weekend workshop at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), where we learned about mindfulness. Comedian Ruby Wax, who had recently published a book on mindfulness, was a guest speaker. Her humour and her openness about her experience of depression was inspiring.’

A new perspective

‘In a series of unexpected twists, my time at King’s has led directly into my current photography career.

‘While at King’s, I was also working as an RAF chaplain. I hoped my degree would help me understand my own anxiety better (which had been triggered by my experiences on combat tours in the Gulf and Afghanistan).

‘I studied professional photography simply because I wanted to get better at something I enjoyed. Through this study, I discovered that good photography can be very mindful. It helps us pay attention to and centre in the present moment. Photography helped calm my anxiety and allowed me to see some of the things I can never unsee with a fresh perspective.

‘This inspired me to start my own business, where I teach people to use their camera (that can be a smartphone) to centre themselves in the present and see their life in new ways.’

An award-winning career behind the camera

‘I joined the Guild of Photographers to further develop my photographic skills and be accredited to a professional body. Today, I am one of their members’ ambassadors.

‘Last year, I received the Guild’s Special Recognition Award for my services to photography and the community. This was a really humbling moment.  

‘This is the second national award I have received for my work, the first being the Amateur Photographer Magazine’s “Unsung Hero” award in 2020, for my use of photography to promote mental wellbeing.’

Merging mindfulness with faith

‘Although I decided not to work for the Church of England, my ordination still plays a significant role in what I do.

‘I am particularly interested in spirituality and trauma, and I am currently studying for a doctorate on the topic of moral injury. I am drawn to the contemplative tradition within Christianity and am curious about ancient Christian spiritual practices and their applicability today.

‘I’m also training to be an accredited mindfulness teacher, which has parallels with Christian spirituality. In fact, our whole healthcare system in the UK traces its roots to the English monastic tradition.’

Curiosity is key

‘I’d encourage fellow King’s alumni to listen to your intuition and always stay curious. Find people who support and encourage you, as well as people who challenge you.

‘Listen to both groups with an open heart and don’t be afraid of failure. It will be central to your success.’