Hi, I’m Des. Welcome!

I’m Irish, live in the Netherlands and have a small mountain cabin in the Italian mountains (which is open for you to use if you like.)

Over the years, I've had the privilege to live in, work in and travel to many different countries - some of them not on a standard travel itinerary...

When I was younger (& fitter!) I ran a mountaineering company guiding trips in the South American Andes, European Alps, Moroccan Atlas and beyond. Whilst my days spent on the mountains were, at that time, primarily in guiding clients, I had many opportunities for taking photographs. Indeed, whilst in Morocco, I wrote a guidebook for winter ascents of the highest peaks where I took many photos of the routes and surrounding mountain landscapes.

After 16 years guiding in the mountains, I transitioned to working for humanitarian NGOs in conflict settings such as Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan. Even though I wasn’t there to take photos, it was good to have my camera with me so that I could record some pivotal points along the historic journey of these countries, particularly Mosul in Iraq.

Along with spending time photographing mountain landscapes and high places, I also visit and lead accompanied photography trips to Mosul and Iraq.

If you would like to join me on other trips that I go on, then just visit Why Not Join Me?.

I’ve written a few more lines looking at what photography means to me and how it has helped me navigate life to where I am now.

Finally - if you like what you see and read here, you can support me at Buy Me A Coffee.

Thank you!