Photography as a lens into everyday wisdom
The Wise Lens offers photographic prints designed to be more than decoration.
Each photograph is created to amplify a message helping us to become wiser each time we look at it.
Living wisely begins with clarity, grows through readiness, and takes shape in action.
These three ideas guide every photograph on this site:
Each photograph is available as a fine art print.
What matters most is not what I see, but what you see, feel, and take with you each day.
Meditation
Following
People follow one another along the summit of Le Salève. Are we following our own path or someone else’s?
Black & white brush
Black and white simplifies, revealing contrast while preserving what is essential. What if we applied this filter to our thinking?
Symbol
Westminster Palace stands strong with the Union Jack glowing behind it. Powerful symbols unite us.
Creativity
A modern building in Vilnius appears lost in nature. Contrast and perspective nurture creativity.
Fragility
What seems solid can slowly break. Tourists enjoyed a quiet ride, unaware the tree would fall into the water weeks later.
Loneliness
A woman sits alone in a park in Brussels. The image inspires calm solitude and loneliness.Yet, we are never lonely when we are with ourselves.
Transition
Autumn settles over the Aiguilles of Chamonix. The first snow announces that winter is on its way. Observing what is around us often gives indications of what is coming to us.
Magic
A few centimeters of snow can transform a landscape into something magical. Small changes often reshape how we perceive life.
Above the clouds
Above the Rhône Valley, clouds open a view toward Les Cornettes de Bise. These Prealpine mountains rise to just 2,432 meters, yet feel immense compared to us.
Dancing trees
Spectacular trees in Saint James’s Park in London photographed by a tourist. Being touched by nature's beauty is a shared feeling among humans.
Mirroring
On the Belgian coast, water in the sand mirrors the sky like windows from buildings. What we reflect grows stronger, the good like the bad. What if we could decide what to reflect or not?
Pillars
Forest pillars stand tall and essential. Knowing the pillars of our own lives helps us protect what truly matters.
Readiness
Behind the hill
What is behind the hill? Another hill, always and always. Important to have a clear hill as the next objective but be mindful that other hills will keep coming, so try to also enjoy the path across the hills.
Foundations
The ridges beneath Mont Blanc act like deep roots. Without them, height would not be possible. Strong foundations allow us to grow.
Foggy imagination
Fog prevents us from seeing clearly and pushes us to imagine what lies beyond. Is it better to wait for clarity or act on uncertain assumptions?
Sand or snow?
Is it sand or snow? Perception can be misleading. It is always better to return to facts rather than assumptions.
Respect
Watching the Dents du Midi from Villars creates a powerful sense of scale, reminding us how small we are compared to nature.
Contrast
A compressed view of the Grand Combin taken with a 400mm lens, increasing the contrast between foreground and background allowing to grasp the challenge ahead.
On the ridge
The ridge between the Aiguille du Midi and Col du Plan alternates between flat and sharp. Awareness of risk helps maintain the right level of attention to stay on the path.
A way through the cracks
The glacier on Mont Blanc du Tacul illustrates moments when the path is not obvious. Careful observation always reveals a way forward.
From black to white
The higher we go, the brighter it becomes. Distance removes unnecessary noise and reveals what truly matters.
Hostility
Vertical lines, sharp ridges, and clouds reveal a harsh and hostile environment. Not everything is meant to be conquered; some situations require humility and restraint.
Clarity
This photograph inspires the idea of clarity. The Aiguilles du Tour appear crystal clear: the objective, the path, and the dangers are visible. Move forward with confidence.
Shelter
The Alpage de La Léchère is the last shelter before heading toward the Petit Col Ferret. Growth requires challenge, but always make sure you have a shelter you can rest securely in before going back into the battle.
Action
Jumping into the unknown
My daughter hesitates at the top of a slide. Every moment of growth begins with a first leap.
Intuition
A woman turns around as she notices my camera. Trust intuition.
Action
In May 2025, my brother and I tried to climb Mount Goliath in Val Ferret. This image illustrates the courage, commitment, and energy required to pursue an ambitious goal. What matters is not success, but continuing to try.
In between
A boy stands between nature and industry. It is important to regularly question our direction.
Freedom
Between clouds, sea, and sand at dawn, a feeling of unlimited freedom emerges. It is worth remembering this feeling wherever we go.
Nature & industry
This photograph from the Belgian coast shows a person enjoying the beach and the sea, with the dark shadows of globalized industries in the background. What is the right balance between nature and industry?
Protective shades
Leaving the protective shade of trees to step into the sunlight is essential for growth.
Step by step
The path unfolds one small step after another. Rushing and skipping steps can lead to failure. Each step is as important as the one before and the one after.
Enjoy now
People enjoy the last sunlight over the Baltic Sea before the storm arrives. Appreciate what is good now, as we never know what comes next.
Strength & softness
A view of Les Diablerets combining dark rock and snow, expressing both strength and softness. Strength is often enhanced by a touch of softness.
Between the leaves
Two people talk surrounded by remaining leaves on trees and on the ground, marking the boundary between what is still alive and what has passed.
The bridge
London is crossed by the River Thames, with bridges linking its two sides. Building bridges is courageous and rewarding, bringing understanding of the other side.
About
I started photography when I was 16 years old, and I immediately loved it.
At first, it was simply a way to spend more time in the mountains. Over time, it became a passion for revealing the beauty of nature in ways we don’t always take the time to see.
I particularly enjoy the fusion of art and technique when capturing moments of flowing time. Sometimes, a photograph allows us to notice details we might otherwise overlook, a quiet invitation to slow down and pay attention to what is happening now.
Through photography, I explore how images can act as gentle reminders, helping us reflect, gain perspective, and cultivate a wiser way of seeing the world.
Every time you look at a photograph, you don’t just see an image. You reconnect with emotions, light, and stories and perhaps with a small insight you can carry with you beyond the moment.
Contact
If you are interested to find out more about an image, use an image or just chat about photography, please drop me a message: jproch2@gmail.com.
Looking forward to connect!
