Highly commended in the 2022 Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year competition, Daisy May explains how photography has not only helped her overcome her struggle with anorexia but has totally changed her relationship with food.
Fifteen years ago, if anyone had asked Daisy about her relationship with food, she would have replied that food was her enemy. Gripped by the controlling tentacles of anorexia, food had become her opposition, her nemesis.
At the time it seemed impossible to imagine food as anything but an enemy and yet, fast forward to now and food has become an ally and a valuable friend thanks to a chance introduction to photography.
Here is Daisy's amazing story.
I never planned to become a photographer, let alone a commercial food photographer. It just happened, and became a big part of my life. Like the anorexia.
2007 began like any other year. I was a rational thinking 33 year old with no previous food or weight issues. I decided to lose a few pounds and sensibly set myself a goal. Over the next 18 months that weight goal became an ever shifting target that reduced further every time I got anywhere close. By mid-2008 I realised that food was controlling me.
Anorexia is a double edged sword. Starving the body leaves it malnourished and weak, and in turn this effects your thinking and the ability to rationalise. It becomes a downward spiral of physical and mental decline all driven by the fear of putting on weight and the fear of food. Sadly, anorexia has the highest mortality rate in all mental health illness.
The next few years were dark and difficult. The fear of food governed every bite, every meal, and every event, whether it was avoiding it or managing it. It seemed like a one way street with no real hope of recovery. And always that overwhelming fear of food - the enemy.
Recovery was very slow. Days became a relay of therapy, doctors’ appointments, hospital appointments, and nurse checks. Until miraculously I was out of danger.
But still that fear of food.
It was Christmas 2016 when my husband gifted me a Nikon D3200 and a day’s photography course with a tutor. I spent a wonderful day learning about the aperture, shutter speed and ISO. It was, quite literally, life changing. The science behind how the camera worked was a revelation, it was something completely new that was understandable and made sense. In the hands of a good teacher, an enthusiastic and inspirational lady had opened my eyes to the wonders of the photography world. We went through the camera settings one by one, going over the relevance of each one and how and when it should be used. It was captivating, and my creative side took over with complete passion in this new focus in life.
In the following weeks I started photographing our Clumber Spaniels, garden birds, village lanes, the possibilities were endless. Anything that would sit still, anything that would fill the frame - I had to capture it. It was fun, it was rewarding and it brightened each day.
Then a few weeks later, wanting something different to photograph, I opened the fridge and pulled out a savoy cabbage. A humble everyday vegetable that is rarely given the limelight, yet somehow behind the lens it became a work of art. As I stripped down the leaves I discovered an array of green tones - nature has no need of Pantone swatches. It was an incredible discovery and my appreciation for the colours and texture of the cabbage grew the more I photographed it.
Something happened that day. Something inside my creative brain clicked and I realised that food was an art waiting to be discovered, respected, enjoyed and celebrated. Behind the lens, food was no longer the enemy. Food became an inspiration, a motivation, and finally a friend.
And the rest, as they say, is history. Over the past 6 1/2 years I have continued to photograph food as art, creating word play, food puns, levitational shots and foodscapes. Creating thought provoking and eye catching images, all based around food.
Some have asked if photography is a therapy and it’s an interesting question. Certainly it started out that way. Creativity is often used in therapy with art, drama, music etc. as a way to help wellbeing. I know that without the photography I would not have the love and respect for food that I have today. I know that without the photography I would not have connected with so many wonderful people that have supported and cheered me on.
Every achievement comes as a surprise, and I hope it always stays that way. Reaching second place in the 2022 Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year was an unbelievable milestone.
At camera club presentations I share my story, not as a survivor but a thriver, and it’s been humbling that so many have contacted me with mental health and food related challenges.
One of the most rewarding conversations after a presentation was with another lady photographer who was retired and had lost her husband during Covid. She had become afraid of leaving the house preventing her from her usual landscape and wildlife photography. With these huge loses in her life she was understandably struggling. When she saw some behind the scenes shots during the presentation and learned what could be done from a simple kitchen table it inspired her to take up this new avenue in food photography. Something that could be done from the reassuring comfort of home yet still allowed her to pursue her photography and fill one small area of her loss.
If my journey helps just one person then it makes it all worthwhile.
Be encouraged.
Believe in yourself.
Be brave.
Be creative.
Be more Daisy.
More information can be found at Daisy May Defined.