Samantha Ohlsen, a Sydney based landscape photographer with a 17-year military background, shares how photography became a means of healing and creative expression. After years as an Army Nursing Officer in war zones like Afghanistan, she retired and started immersing herself in the tranquillity of nature & setting up a wedding photography business..

Sam discusses how landscape photography provides an essential counterbalance to her past experiences, offering a deep connection to the natural world. We discuss  the therapeutic effects of exploring Australia’s Great Ocean Road, her structured approach to mastering composition, and the ongoing challenge of balancing technical precision with artistic freedom.

She also shares insights into her latest ambitious project—a comprehensive guidebook documenting Australia’s diverse landscapes. Through her work, Sam hopes to inspire others to embrace photography as both an art form and a means of personal transformation.

I hope you enjoy the show.

You can find Sam’s work  here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatoceanroad_otways/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@greatoceanroad_otways

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/samanthaohlsen.bsky.social

Pintrest: https://au.pinterest.com/samohlsenphotos/

Pixelfed: https://pixelfed.social/samantha.ohlsen

Mastadon: https://mastodon.social/@samanthaohlsenphotography

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/99488400@N07/

Book: https://www.samanthaohlsenphotography.com.au/gor-otways-book/

Listen to this and other episodes wherever you find your podcasts or on https://grantswinbournephotography.com/lpw-podcast

Or subscribe to my YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@grantswinbournephotography

Theme music: Liturgy Of The Street by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

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