“The Squirrelman” captures my innovative journey photographing wild red squirrels in imaginative and humorous setting. It begun playfully in 2016. Without Photoshop or AI, this original project evolved into a high-quality creative and healing process. Each image radiates pure joy, encouraging viewers to momentarily escape life’s struggles through authentic, playful interactions with nature.

The Squirrelman project began in 2016 as a lighthearted experiment. While visiting my girlfriend’s grandmother’s garden, I noticed red squirrels darting around. We hung a squirrel feeder, hoping to attract them. After three months, four squirrels finally appeared, feeding eagerly. Inspired, I collaborated with my girlfriend’s granddad to build a moss-covered table for the squirrels to explore. One day, placing a clean red bull can filled with sunflower seeds on the table “just for fun,” I captured an unexpected moment a squirrel dipping its head inside the soda can. This spontaneous interaction marked the beginning of a deeply creative and healing journey.

What started as a playful joke quickly became a high-quality artistic project grounded in authenticity and innovation. The creativity lies in designing unique, natural setups that invite the squirrels to interact freely, without any Photoshop, AI, or digital manipulation. Every image is captured in-camera, highlighting genuine behavior and fostering a sense of wonder and joy. The project is entirely ethical no animals are harmed, and all squirrels are wild and respected as my “models.”

This work is deeply personal. At four years old, I fled Rwanda with my sister to escape the 1994 genocide, facing cultural isolation and trauma. My sister’s passing in 2019 left me devastated, and I struggled to reconnect with photography. It was through the squirrels’ playful presence and my creative setups that I found solace and healing.

The Squirrelman is more than photography, it’s a testament to resilience, hope, and the transformative power of nature. I’ve found happiness through this project, and I hope to inspire others worldwide to discover joy and healing in unexpected places.

Niki Colemont, Creative