About Monty Travel Photographer Visual Stories begins in 1978, when I left home at seventeen to join the British Army. Behind every lens, there is a story waiting to be told, and mine continues today through the landscapes of Poland and beyond.
The Name That Started It All
Within weeks of joining the army, my fellow recruits tagged me with a nickname that would stick for decades – Monty. The moniker came from Field Marshal Montgomery, inspired by the way I wore my beret during basic training. Little did I know that this name, used by army mates even today, would become the foundation of everything I create.
Fast forward to 2021, and life took an unexpected turn. I met Dorota, the woman who would become my wife, and together we made the bold decision to move to Poland. It was a fresh start, a new chapter in a country that would soon become the backdrop for countless adventures.
A Four-Legged Inspiration
In October 2021, Dorota and I welcomed an eight-week-old Shih-Tzu into our lives. Without hesitation, we named him Monty – a tribute to that nickname from my army days, now carried forward by this spirited little companion who would change everything.
As Monty grew, I found myself constantly reaching for my camera. Every milestone, every expression, every moment of discovery deserved to be captured. Through our travels across Poland and neighbouring countries, this small dog became a regular feature in my photography. His curiosity mirrored my own desire to explore; his joy reflected the emotions I aimed to capture in every landscape.
From Gallery to Network
What began as a simple collection of puppy photos evolved into something far more meaningful. I created a dedicated gallery to document Monty’s adventures – his first mountain trail, coastal explorations, quiet forest walks, and bustling city streets. Each image told a story not just of a dog growing up, but of the places we discovered together.
The gallery resonated with people. Followers wanted to see where we’d been, what we’d found, and how this small companion experienced the world through my lens. The response was overwhelming, and it became clear that Monty represented something universal – the spirit of adventure, the joy of discovery, and the beauty of documenting life’s journey.
The Evolution of Monty Network
What began as a personal photography project has grown into the Monty Network: a connected creative network bringing together travel stories, photography, practical knowledge, original music and radio. Each part has its own purpose, but all five share the same journey.
VFML is the travel journal, where I document journeys and experiences through words and images. View From My Lens is the photography gallery, a focused space for exploring the finished photographs themselves.
Monty Photo Studios is the practical photography guide library, sharing the camera settings, composition, lighting, techniques and creative thinking gathered through experience behind the lens.
Monty Sounds is the original music project behind the network — a growing catalogue spanning soulful house, jazz, ambient, cinematic soundscapes, electronic music and more. Each track stands on its own while also giving the wider network a sound.
Monty Sounds Radio is the 24/7 web radio station, turning that music into a continuous listening experience through curated rotation and seamless sequencing.
Together, these five spaces form one ecosystem. See the Monty Network map to explore how the journal, gallery, guides, music and radio connect.
The Photography Philosophy
My approach to travel photography stems from those early army days – discipline, attention to detail, and the ability to find beauty in unexpected places. Military training taught me patience, preparation, and the importance of being ready to capture a moment when it presents itself. These lessons translate directly into landscape and travel photography, where light, weather, and composition align for mere seconds.
Each location I photograph receives the same careful consideration. Whether exploring the Carpathian Mountains, documenting coastal regions, or discovering hidden gems throughout Poland and beyond, I aim to capture not just what a place looks like, but what it feels like to be there. The atmosphere, the emotion, the sense of connection between traveller and terrain.
Beyond Still Images
Still photographs are only one part of the story. VFML gives each journey room to unfold in words, while video adds movement and natural sound. Monty Sounds can give those experiences an original musical atmosphere, and Monty Sounds Radio carries that creative thread into a continuous broadcast.
YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and other social channels help these stories travel beyond the network, but the work itself remains rooted in the five connected Monty Network spaces. From practical photography notes to personal travel journals, everything is intended to inform, inspire and encourage closer attention to the world around us.
About Monty Travel Photographer Visual Stories: The Journey Continues
The journey continues as cameras, creative tools and the ways stories are shared keep changing. I adapt how the work reaches people whilst staying true to the core purpose: capturing and sharing authentic moments of discovery.
Monty, my four-legged companion, remains at the heart of it all. Now a seasoned traveller himself, he’s explored more of Poland than many locals. His presence in images reminds viewers that adventure isn’t about grand gestures or extreme locations – it’s about curiosity, persistence, and finding wonder in the everyday.
Technical Expertise Meets Artistic Vision
My background combines technical proficiency with creative storytelling. Experience with cameras, drones, Adobe Lightroom, DaVinci Resolve, WordPress and digital publishing supports a consistent process from capture and editing through to the finished story.
But technology serves the story; it never replaces it. Every technical decision — from exposure and colour to editing and presentation — supports the goal of sharing authentic visual stories that encourage others to explore their own corners of the world.
The Community Aspect
The Monty Network has grown beyond a personal project into a community of fellow travellers, photographers, and adventure seekers. Through comments, shares, and direct messages, I’ve connected with people planning their own Polish adventures, seeking photography advice, or simply enjoying virtual exploration from home.
This interaction drives me to continue documenting and sharing. Knowing that an image of a mountain trail might inspire someone’s next hike, or that a coastal photograph brings peace to someone’s day, makes every early morning shoot and long editing session worthwhile.
Looking Forward
As the Monty Network continues to evolve, the purpose remains constant — capturing the spirit of landscapes and journeys, preserving moments of discovery, and inspiring others to explore with open eyes and curious hearts. Whether expressed through photography, travel writing, practical guides, original music or radio, every part of the network serves that purpose.
From that seventeen-year-old wearing his beret at a particular angle to the photographer documenting Poland’s hidden corners with a Shih Tzu by his side, the journey has been unexpected and remarkable. The nickname Monty has carried through decades, across countries, and into a new generation – evolving from a simple army tag into a network dedicated to visual storytelling and authentic exploration.