Hello, I am Graeme Houston
I once dreamed of becoming a successful rock musician, and that passion still lives within me, though now, my performances take place in the sky and through my camera. Ballooning and photography are my versions of rock music, just performed on a very different stage.
Life took an unexpected turn after a road accident in 2014 left me disabled, yet it opened new doors. In 2019, I found myself drawn to photography, a passion I had started exploring before the pandemic but truly embraced during the quiet months of 2020.
Getting my hands on a full-frame professional camera before lockdown, I spent countless late nights mastering the gear and editing software, feeling like I was cracking a complex code. My work earned a few awards, boosting my confidence and reminding me that I wasn’t just playing with fancy gadgets; I could make a difference in my life, and others. I experimented with horse and human photography, which, thanks to my wife’s involvement in equestrian circles, became a rewarding niche, earning awards and appreciation.
Incredibly I returned to flying in 2022, despite living with a disability that requires me to manage chronic pain. I also work hard to hide my difficulties with writing due to limited fine motor skills in my right hand, but I remain passionate, determined, and love to share and encourage others.
When I’m not behind the camera, I’m soaring in the sky as a hot air balloon pilot for my company, Scotair Balloons, or Kenya’s Governors Balloon Safaris, capturing the wild beauty of the Masai Mara.
However, nothing compares to the thrill of photographing Scottish landscapes, the rugged coastlines and misty hills that endlessly inspire me.
I’m a photographer, a balloon pilot, and a nature lover, always chasing the next great shot, whether on land or in the sky.