Many people often seek out nature for solace, to help them relax and escape the stressful hustle and bustle of modern life.

Trevor Parsons, 54, first found nature photography after suffering a mental breakdown in 2013-2014, and credits his newfound passion with helping his recovery.

Trevor said: “I found when I was taking a photo, it helped subdue like, sort of all the dark thoughts that are going around in my head and gave me some headspace, and that’s kind of like what I’ve been saying to people is, with or without a camera, get yourself into nature.

"Because actually, it distracts your mind, it distracts the thoughts that are going around in your mind.”

Having moved to Verwood in 2001, Trevor said a plethora of beautiful natural landscapes were available to him in Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, including Blashford Lakes, the New Forest, Stourhead and Longleat.

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Since 2018, Trevor has been very open about his mental health challenges and how embracing time and nature helped.

He has given numerous interviews and written multiple articles for newspapers and magazines in the hopes of helping others improve their mental health by spending time in the countryside.

Trevor said: “What I’m saying to people basically is, with or without a camera, it’s just getting yourself into nature. It’s been proven it’s so good an beneficial for your mental well-being.”

Despite being featured in exhibitions at Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst, two at Ringwood Meeting House (including the upcoming exhibition) and plans for an exhibition at the Dorset Museum in July, Trevor does not consider himself a photographer.

Salisbury Journal: (Photo by Trevor Parsons)(Photo by Trevor Parsons) (Image: Trevor Parsons)

Trevor said: “I’m not a photographer really, because I don’t know the settings of the camera, but people seem to like my photos and it goes along nicely with my story of how it gets me out and helped me.”

Ringwood Meeting House will be hosting an exhibition of some of Trevor’s work between Monday, March 6 and Friday, March 31, with opening hours between 10am-12pm Monday-Saturday, with Wednesday hours extended to 2.30pm.

Trevor said he will be stopping by frequently if anyone wants to discuss his work or have a chat.

Trevor said: “It’s a passion of mine now to kind of spread the word, because I know how much it helped me, so I’m just trying to help other people by saying, ‘Why don’t you give it a go?’”