From Divorce to Discovery: My Journey Back to Brickendonbury Manor

One year ago, I closed the doors to my photography studio with no idea if I’d ever reopen them. Life had unravelled in ways I never expected. I was going through a painful divorce, I’d lost my home, and the future I thought I knew disappeared almost overnight.

What I didn’t know then was that this ending would become the start of something completely new.

Today, I’m standing in the light-filled space of The Moat House at Brickendonbury Manor Estate in Hertford, surrounded by creativity, peace, and gratitude. My studio is open again and it means more to me now than ever before.

Finding Purpose in a Different Kind of Work

When I stepped away from photography, I needed to rebuild not just my business, but myself. That year away led me somewhere unexpected: to a role with Mercy Ships, a Christian charity that runs two hospital ships providing free, life-changing surgeries to people in need across West and East Africa.

It was meant to be a maternity cover position, coordinating fundraising projects, but it became so much more than a job. Mercy Ships was my safety net in every sense. I was surrounded by kindness, faith, and hope at a time I needed it most. Knowing that our work here in the UK was helping people receive free operations overseas gave me purpose again.

Travel, Healing, and Rediscovery

Before joining the charity, I spent a year travelling alone across Europe and beyond. I turned 43, packed a backpack, and decided to face the world head-on this time, on my own terms.

I climbed the Dolomites in Italy and took a solo gondola ride while learning to love myself again. I spent Christmas in Tenerife learning how to be without my child, practised yoga beside the crashing waves in Faro, hiked from Paphos to Limassol in Cyprus to visit family, explored the ancient catacombs of Malta where Game of Thrones was filmed, and stood in awe at the Acropolis in Athens.

One of my favourite memories was sharing my first ever holiday with my daughter in Mallorca. And to complete the journey, I travelled to Ireland to trace my family roots in Cork and fell completely in love with the place.

Those experiences changed me in ways I can’t put into words.

If it wasn’t for the pandemic forcing me to stop in 2020, I might never have had the chance to take that hard look at my life. Covid was devastating for so many, but for me, it was also a turning point. It forced me to be still, to heal, and to start over.

What I Learned in Family Court

At the same time, I was navigating one of the hardest experiences of my life — representing myself in the family court system. Like so many parents, I found it overwhelming, confusing, and emotionally exhausting. It opened my eyes to how complex the process can be when you have to face it alone. I learned how to separate emotion from process, to focus on facts over fear, and to find my voice when I felt powerless.

That journey taught me more about strength, patience, and compassion than anything else ever could. It’s why I’m now building a resource to help other parents who find themselves in the same position — because no one should have to go through it feeling alone.

Rebuilding Through Creativity

When I finally returned home to Hertfordshire, I knew it was time to rebuild. Brickendonbury Manor felt like the perfect place — peaceful, surrounded by nature, and full of light.

Here, I’ve created a space that feels like me again: calm, warm, and filled with stories waiting to be told. My work has always been about connection. The real beauty of photography isn’t in perfect poses it’s in the laughter between them, the quiet moments, the real emotion. That’s what I love capturing most.

Evergreen Sessions and Christmas Minis

To celebrate my relaunch, I’ve introduced something new: The Evergreen Sessions.

They’re designed for families who want to capture their baby’s first year, for parents who love having regular portraits, or for fellow mum-entrepreneurs looking for authentic seasonal brand imagery. These sessions take place in the studio and around the stunning grounds of Brickendonbury Manor, surrounded by elegant columns, landscaped gardens, and soft natural light.

Each Evergreen Session is £99 and includes 10 digital images (normally 5) as part of my reopening celebration.

I’m also bringing back my Christmas Mini Sessions — the much-loved festive photoshoots that have become a tradition for many of my clients. They’re joyful, heart warming, and full of sparkle, with bookings starting at £29 and packages from £99.

A Full Circle Moment

One of my favourite details about my new studio is the view. The Moat House overlooks the tranquil moat at Brickendonbury Manor now home to my rescued koi and goldfish. They were once at risk of being lost when the pond at my previous home was being filled, but Brickendonbury’s kindness saved them. Today they thrive in the water outside my window, a daily reminder that even after loss, life can flourish again.

Where I Am Now

This year has been about rediscovering faith, creativity, and courage. Mercy Ships gave me perspective, travel gave me peace, and photography brought me home.

If my journey can remind even one person that it’s possible to rebuild after heartbreak, then it’s been worth it.

You can lose everything and still find yourself again. You can find peace after pain. And sometimes, what feels like an ending is really just the beginning of something more beautiful.

Olivia Christina Photography📍 The Moat House, Brickendonbury Manor Estate, Hertford🌐 www.oliviachristina.co.uk📸 @oliviachristinaphotography