When I tell people I’m a nurse who loves photography, I often get a curious look. At first glance, those two things might seem worlds apart—one is a science-driven, fast-paced profession focused on patient care, and the other is an artistic hobby about capturing moments. But for me, photography and nursing aren’t separate at all. They actually complement each other in ways that have shaped how I see healthcare, patients, and even myself.

Discovering Photography: More Than Just a Hobby

I’ve loved photography for as long as I can remember. Growing up in North Jersey, I carried my camera everywhere, capturing sunsets on the lake where I sailed, candid moments with friends, and little details that most people overlooked. For me, photography was about seeing the world more carefully—finding beauty in everyday things and telling stories without words.

That hobby taught me to slow down and pay attention. It made me curious about people’s expressions, their environments, and the light that surrounded them. I learned that every picture had a story behind it—sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden. And that curiosity stuck with me when I later pursued nursing.

A Different Lens on Healthcare

Nursing can be overwhelming and intense, especially when you’re just starting out. There are so many tasks, protocols, and details that it’s easy to get lost in the technical side of things. But because of my photography background, I’ve found myself naturally looking for the human story behind the clinical facts.

For example, when I enter a patient’s room, I don’t just see the chart or the diagnosis. I see the person. I notice the way their eyes light up when they talk about their family or their worries. I watch how they hold their hands, or how they react to the sounds and smells around them. It’s like focusing a lens to capture the real subject—their experience, their emotions, their humanity.

This approach has helped me connect with patients on a deeper level. It’s not just about administering medication or checking vitals. It’s about listening, observing, and being present in a way that respects the whole person. Sometimes, that presence is what makes the biggest difference.

Photography Skills That Translate to Nursing

Photography isn’t just a creative outlet for me; it’s also taught me practical skills that apply directly to nursing. Patience, for one. Good photos don’t happen by rushing. You have to wait for the right moment, the right light, or the right expression. Nursing requires that same patience, especially when caring for patients who might be scared, confused, or in pain. Sometimes, you have to be patient with yourself too.

Attention to detail is another shared skill. In photography, missing a subtle shadow or a slight blur can ruin a shot. In nursing, missing a small change in a patient’s condition can have serious consequences. My eye for detail helps me pick up on things that might otherwise be overlooked, whether it’s a change in skin color, a subtle grimace, or a patient’s choice of words.

There’s also the importance of framing—a photographer chooses what to include and what to leave out to tell the best story. In nursing, this translates to focusing on what’s most relevant and urgent while managing a patient’s overall care. It’s about prioritizing, organizing, and communicating clearly with the healthcare team to accomplish what you cannot do alone.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

One of the most valuable lessons photography has taught me is about perspective. A photo can look completely different depending on the angle or the light. Similarly, in nursing, seeing a patient’s situation from multiple perspectives—medical, emotional, social—helps me provide better care.

For example, a patient’s noncompliance with medication might seem frustrating at first, but when you step back and look through a different lens, there may be reasons like fear, confusion, or lack of resources behind it. Understanding these factors changes how you approach care and builds trust. Open and nonjudgemental conversations help you to understand, so your patients can thrive.

Photography has also encouraged me to appreciate the moments between moments. In a busy clinic, it’s easy to focus only on rooming and sending out labs on time, but sometimes the most meaningful parts of care are the quiet exchanges—the smile, the reassurance, the handshake. These moments remind me why I chose nursing in the first place.

Bringing Creativity into Nursing

Nursing is often seen as rigid or purely clinical, but I believe there’s room for creativity in how we approach patient care. Whether it’s finding new ways to explain complex information, creating a calming environment, or just finding moments of humor and lightness, creativity helps me stay engaged and compassionate.

My photography background encourages me to think outside the box. For instance, when a patient was anxious about an EKG, I helped her to understand that it’s like taking an electrical photo of the heart- it’s not putting anything into the body, but simply capturing what’s already happening inside, like a cardiac camera. It’s a small example, but it shows how art and science can work together.

The Journey Continues

Looking back, I don’t see photography and nursing as separate chapters of my life. They are intertwined parts of what I do. My camera helped me develop a way of seeing that enriches my nursing practice, and nursing challenges me to be present and empathetic in ways that deepen my appreciation for human stories.

I’m still learning how to balance these two passions, but I believe they make me a better nurse and a more thoughtful person. Seeing healthcare through a different lens means recognizing that behind every patient is a unique story worth hearing—and that sometimes, the best care comes from truly seeing and understanding that story.