Fine art photographer, inspirational speaker and author, Marlene Neumann recently held a book reading at the Rosewood Coffee shop in Lambton.

The book reading was from her latest offering, Walking Yourself Home.

The intimate reading was inspirational as Marlene shared her life experience and journey to this book.
From a young age, Marlene says she felt a powerful bond with the natural world.

Whether dressing in leaves as a child or intuitively understanding the rhythms of life around her, she always knew she experienced the world differently.

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That connection, though not always understood in her early years, would later become the foundation of her life’s work.

“I’ve always felt a deep connection to everything around me,” she shared during the launch, reflecting on a childhood shaped by curiosity, creativity, and an intuitive spirit.

Her journey took a defining turn at the age of 38 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer,a moment she describes as life-altering. Faced with her own mortality, Marlene made a conscious decision to change how she lived.

“It made me stop and choose life,” she said.

Through that experience, she began confronting both the light and darkness within herself, embracing her challenges and ultimately transforming pain into purpose.

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Her healing journey led her deeper into mindfulness, self-acceptance, and a slower, more intentional way of living, themes that are central to her book.

She said she hopes it is a guide to reconnecting with one’s inner self. It encourages readers to slow down, listen, and rediscover their own rhythm in a fast-paced world.

Over the past four decades, Marlene has worked with individuals through photography and nature-based practices, helping people reconnect with themselves.

Her concept of “soul photography”, which captures the essence of life through a spiritual and natural lens, has touched many, including through her Centre of Photography and Light in the Eastern Cape.

Her compassion has extended beyond people to animals as well, through initiatives such as the Buckaroo Project, which has supported thousands of dogs and their human companions.

The book reading itself was more than an event; it was a call to presence. Guests were encouraged to reflect on their own lives, their pace, and their connection to the world around them.

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“Nature wants to teach us how to be human, if we would only listen,” Marlene said, urging attendees to embrace stillness and awareness.

As conversations flowed over coffee and the calming sounds of the garden centre, it became clear that Marlene’s story is not just about surviving cancer, but about truly living — with intention, gratitude, and authenticity.