Finding My Way Back to the Camera, to Community, and to Myself

Returning to the camera after so many years felt like opening a door I thought I had locked by accident. Life, work, family, responsibilities, they all had a way of pushing creativity into the background. But the moment I picked up my gear again, everything clicked. It felt familiar, necessary, and strangely new at the same time. 

This is my first blog post in a long time, shared on ELGATO Family, and it marks the beginning of something bigger. Not only for me, but for the communities and people I am working with. This journey is personal, cinematic, cultural, and rooted in one simple idea: stories deserve to be seen. 

Rocket Monkey Roastery, community, and a spark

My return to filming properly started with Rocket Monkey Roastery in Ayr, and with Andrew, the owner. He trusted me with his story and allowed me to capture the reopening of the roastery. Filming there reminded me why I love this craft. Good coffee, good people, and honest work, all happening in the middle of a community that deserves to be highlighted.

This project taught me something important. Filmmaking is not only about visuals, it is about connection. About taking a space that feels ordinary to some and showing the world why it matters. The story of Rocket Monkey is not just about coffee, it is about restarting, rebuilding, and believing in what you create. It matched perfectly with the stage of life I am in.

Back to university at 45

Starting at UWS again as a mature student, with 45 years on my shoulders, felt like diving into a cold river. You do not know if the shock will wake you up or freeze you. But I can say this with honesty, returning to study was one of the best decisions I have made.

The TV, Radio and Podcast Production course has given me purpose. It pushes me creatively and reminds me why storytelling matters. I sit beside students who are much younger than me, and instead of feeling out of place, I feel inspired. I learn from them, they learn from me, and together we are building work that makes us proud.

AMGFilmPro is no longer just a name or a hobby. It is becoming a professional path, connected with my assignments, my community work, and the projects that keep arriving.

Why community matters

Filming Rocket Monkey showed me something simple. If we get behind small businesses and local creators, we all grow. This is why ELGATO Family, AMGFilmPro and my work at UWS all connect. They are different branches of the same tree, rooted in people, culture and collaboration.

From Andrew’s coffee, to the students in my class, to the families I support in my daily work, everyone has a story that deserves a frame. 

The Rocket Monkey Game, two coffees

To celebrate this comeback, I created a small activity for anyone visiting Rocket Monkey. You can scan the QR code in the shop or Here, watch the video, leave a comment on the video, and you are automatically entered into a draw to win two coffees, one for you and one for someone you choose. A small gesture to bring people together, and a fun way to connect the physical shop with the digital story.

The winner will be announced in one month on Instagram: 

Follow : https://www.instagram.com/amgfilmpro/

What comes next

This is just the beginning. More filming, more blogs, more behind the scenes, more stories from Ayrshire and beyond. Projects with UWS, new collaborations, ideas that grow into films. And at the heart of everything, the same feeling that came back the moment I hit record again.

Creativity does not disappear with age. It waits patiently for you to return.