This One DM Nearly Made Me Quit (But I Didn’t)

I want to be upfront about something that kind of irked me recently. I’ll save some of the fluff and get right into it. You’ll probably even eye roll as soon as you read the next paragraph and I get it.

I’d simply liked a post. That’s it. A simple “RIP Charlie Kirk” post. No caption. No politics. No agenda. Just acknowledging that someone had passed away, particularly around the part about being a husband, a father.

Not long after, I got a DM from a fellow Canberran tearing into me. They accused me of supporting school shootings, American gun culture, wars overseas and made mention of my faith as if it was the main determining factor.

All from a single “like”.

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The messages felt long and heated. They took my action as a statement when it was never meant to be one.

I wasn’t endorsing anything. I wasn’t choosing sides. I was simply being human.

And yet, in that moment, it felt like my empathy had been weaponised against me.

Why It Hit Hard

I’ve had negative comments before, I actually laugh at them for the most part because they are directed at Canberra and sometimes are true, sometimes not. But this one (and some comments that I delete straight are away)

It was private.
It was personal.
And it assumed things about me that couldn’t be further from the truth.

For a split second, I thought about quitting. Because if even a “like” can get twisted into a political fight, what chance do any of us have?

Why I Didn’t Quit

I responded politely, however it escalated further, so I stopped. took a breath.

I reminded myself:

• My intent was clear.

• The majority of you know what I stand for.

• And I don’t owe explanations to someone looking for a fight.

• I’m just here to take photos of things I like, and make myself and (hopefully) others laugh at something they can relate to that’s in amongst the darkside of the algorithms.

So instead of giving up, I blocked the account and kept going. After all, we shouldn’t be controlled by a one or two negative comments.

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What I Learnt

We’re living in a time where everything gets politicised. Even sympathy. Even grief. Which is WILD.

But you’re allowed to:

• Show empathy without endorsing someone’s views.

• Separate humanity from politics.

• Keep creating, even when people misunderstand you.

• Not be afraid to be your unique self.

For Other Creators

If you’re a Canberra creative whether you’re making coffee, painting murals, scootering, food vlogging, or posting reels you’ll know this feeling. Someone will take your work out of context.

Don’t let them silence you.
You don’t need everyone to get it. You just need the right people to see it.

Heck, don’t do it for others, go out and create because you have a creative brain that just wants to get content out into the world because you love the grind of it, the art, the getting out doors and disconnecting to make something with your own unique spin.

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Still Here

So yeah, that DM nearly made me quit. But it didn’t.

Because creating still fuels me. Because one angry DM or someone disagreeing with my creative approach wont phase me.

I’m still here. Still posting. Still laughing. Still creating. Still boring little old me 

And I’m very thankful to everyone who’s joined along the ride and made some sort of a community within a community.

And for anyone else that wants to consider getting into creating content, I say just post it and have fun. Don’t do it for views or likes, do it because you have fun and enjoy it!

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If this resonated, share it on your socials or send it to another creative who might need the reminder today.

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This blog was written with the assistance of AI for grammar, creative and SEO purposes.

Canberra Film Maker | But It’s With AI?

A single image shot of the rolling planes of the Uriarra area in Canberra ACT

Capturing the Beauty of Canberra: A Photographer's Perspective

Canberra Photos hold a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. As a Canberra photographer, one of the best aspects of my job is capturing the stunning landscapes that this city and its surrounding regions offer. From vast open spaces to serene lakes, Canberra is a haven for those who appreciate nature and amazing scenery.

What Makes a Great Canberra Photo?

When people search for Canberra photos, they might wonder: what exactly makes a great shot? For me, the essence of a great Canberra photo lies in its ability to convey the tranquility and beauty of the region. I often find myself pulling over on a quiet road, far from the Canberra city, just to soak in the natural atmosphere. It’s in these moments, surrounded by the landscape, that I believe the true character of Canberra reveals itself.

One of my favorite spots is Uriarra, an area known for its expansive landscapes and peaceful atmosphere. Recently, I captured a photo there that truly resonated with me, and I wanted to do something special with it.

AI and Creativity in Canberra: From Image to Video

As a creative photographer always looking for new ways to expand my work, I’ve begun incorporating AI into my process. One of the most exciting advancements I’ve embraced is AI text-to-video technology. This tool allows me to transform a still image into a dynamic, moving video, adding an entirely new layer of depth to my Canberra photos.

Let me explain how I used this technology with a single image from Uriarra. The image was beautiful on its own, but I felt it could convey even more of the atmosphere that makes Canberra so special. Using AI text-to-video, I was able to convert that still photo into a 5-second video, giving the viewer a sense of movement through the landscape.

This short video captures the feeling of standing in Uriarra, watching the wind sweep through the fields and clouds gently drift by. It’s a subtle but powerful transformation that turns a single moment into a living experience. By adding this layer of AI creativity, I can now show others not just what it’s like to live in Canberra, but also how it feels.
(Example below)

Video of Canberra | The Uriarra region enhanced with AI

Living in Canberra: A Creative Haven

As someone who lives and works here, I often think about how to share what it's like to live in Canberra. For anyone asking, “What it’s like to live in Canberra?” or considering moving to Canberra, let me tell you—this city is an inspiring and creative place. It offers a mix of modern living with easy access to some of Australia’s most peaceful natural surroundings.

But there’s more to Canberra than just its landscapes. The city has a growing community of creatives, from artists to Canberra photographers and even tech innovators. In fact, one of the exciting developments in the Canberra creativescene is the use of AI to push the boundaries of what’s possible in photography and digital art.

With AI tools like text-to-video, we’re seeing incredible innovation in how we can present our work. It’s no longer just about capturing a moment in time—it’s about enhancing that moment and making it more immersive for viewers.

If you're inspired by the possibilities of combining creativity and technology and want to explore how AI can elevate your visual projects, I'd love to collaborate with you. Whether you're looking to transform your photos into dynamic videos or need a creative approach to showcasing your brand, AI technology can bring your vision to life in exciting ways.

Feel free to reach out to discuss how we can work together! Let’s create something truly unique using cutting-edge AI tools and innovative photography techniques right here in Canberra. Contact me today to get started!

Who Is TheMortz?

Daniel, Eva, Brooke & Fin.

Canberra Photographer | Growing up in Tuggeranong Valley to Capturing Canberra’s Hidden Gems

As a Canberra-based photographer, it's hard to encapsulate who I am in just one blog post, but I’ll try to give you a glimpse of my journey, from the Tuggeranong Valley to becoming a photographer dedicated to capturing the beauty of Canberra.

Growing Up in Tuggeranong Valley

I grew up in Tuggeranong Valley, exploring its nooks and crannies as a kid and teenager. From the local skate park to those mischievous moments (like pushing a trolley into Lake Tuggeranong — no regrets!), to sitting on the hills watching the sunset over the valley, my roots in Canberra run deep.

My Journey of Faith and Friendships

My teenage years weren’t always simple, and I faced challenges at both home and school. However, I eventually found solid friendships in high school and, more importantly, discovered my faith — a turning point that completely changed my life.

Why Canberra Will Always Be Home

Although I’ve had the opportunity to travel around Australia and even to New Zealand, Canberra has always been my home. There's something about this city that brings me back, and I want to showcase the overlooked beauty that Canberra offers through my photography.

How I Fell in Love With Photography

Surprisingly, I didn’t study photography. I earned my degree from the University of YouTube (if that’s even a thing!). It started as a hobby, something to pull me away from my gaming obsession and get me out of the house. With the encouragement of my wife and friends, my love for photography grew, and I began to see the world in new ways through the lens of my camera.

Capturing Canberra's Hidden Gems

What makes my photography unique? I strive to capture Canberra's hidden gems — those underappreciated spots that even locals may overlook. Through my images, I want to reveal the beauty and character of this city, despite what the rest of the country might think.

Follow My Photography Journey

So, who am I? That’s a story still being written. But if you follow along on my photography journey, I hope to share not just the beautiful landscapes of Canberra, but also a little bit of myself and what I love about this place every day.