About Monty Travel Photographer Visual Stories – Behind every lens, there is a story waiting to be told. The journey begins in 1978, when I left home at seventeen to join the British Army, and 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
About Monty Travel Photographer Visual Stories isn’t just a tagline – it’s the essence of what the Monty Network has become. What started as a personal project transformed into a comprehensive platform sharing travel photography, landscape documentation, and visual storytelling across multiple channels.
Today, the Monty Network brings together several interconnected spaces, each with a clear role in how my work is shared. VFML is the journal where I document journeys and experiences through words and images. View From My lens is the gallery, a dedicated space for exploring finished photographs in a focused, immersive way.
Montypix serves as the central hub, connecting all of my websites and social platforms so visitors can easily navigate the wider ecosystem. Monty Photo Studios is where I explore the craft and practice of photography itself, offering insight and context so viewers can better understand the images and the process behind them.
Computersurgeon sits alongside those platforms as the engine that helps build and support the sites and social presence behind them. It provides the technical backbone for web design, hosting, WordPress management, and social media solutions, making it easier to launch, maintain, and grow each part of the Monty Network
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
The Monty Network extends beyond photography into videography and written narratives. Through platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, I share the motion and sound of places – the rustle of mountain winds, the crash of coastal waves, and the quiet stillness of dawn. These multi-sensory experiences complement still images, offering viewers a more complete understanding of each destination.
From technical photography notes to personal travel journals, these guides are meant to inform and inspire rather than formally teach or offer location‑scouting advice.
The Journey Continues
About Monty Travel Photographer Visual Stories also means embracing constant evolution. The photography landscape changes rapidly, with new platforms, techniques, and technologies emerging regularly. I maintain an active presence across Pinterest, Facebook, and other social channels, adapting content strategies whilst staying true to the core mission – 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. Years of working with WordPress, SEO optimisation, and digital content management ensure that images reach the widest possible audience. Tools like Adobe Lightroom, DaVinci Resolve, and various WordPress plugins help maintain consistency across platforms whilst allowing creative flexibility.
But technology serves the art, never overshadows it. Every technical decision – from image compression to social media integration – supports the primary goal of sharing authentic, inspiring 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 mission 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 through photography, videography, or written guides, every piece of content serves this 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.
