Nature in Mind Mindful Photography
“The camera is an instrument that teaches people to see without a camera.”
Dorothea Lange
With a love of photographing the natural world and years of practising mindfulness and meditation, taking a mindful approach to photography has been a natural progression.
Mindful photography helps us to slow down, get off autopilot, stay curious and engage all of our senses so that we can connect more deeply with the world around us. Through this approach, we can often find wonder in the ordinary, see things from a different perspective and develop a deep sense of appreciation for what is often overlooked or taken for granted. Mindful photography also helps us to take some quiet time for ourselves and find new ways of expressing our creativity.
It’s not about having the right kit, striving to take the perfect image or mindlessly snapping away with social media in mind! All you need is a smartphone or camera and your curiosity.
Following my practitioner training with Look Again, I have run mindful photography sessions with small groups and individuals, usually, but not always, in nature (mindful photography can take place absolutely anywhere!). Locations have included Boundary Brook Nature Reserve and the Trap Grounds in Oxford, the Bridge Street Community Garden in Banbury, and Oxford city centre (a mindful photography and writing workshop at Oxford’s historic Lamb & Flag delivered with writer Kate Oldfield).
If you are interested in running a bespoke mindful photography workshop in your green space (or elsewhere), would like to discuss a private 1-2-1 or small group session, or have an idea for a collaboration, please get in touch. I’m based in Oxfordshire and Sussex, but happy to travel reasonable distances (any excuse to explore!).
I look forward to hearing from you.
Saturday 18th April….join us for a mindful photography walk followed by writing prompts at the historic Lamb & Flag in Oxford.
Further details and booking at The Writing Well.
Testimonials
“Jo delivered mindful photography workshops at Bridge Street Community Garden, where I work as Garden Officer. Her approach was thoughtful and accessible, and she explained everything very clearly. The sessions were inspiring and encouraged participants to explore photography from a different angle, focusing on experience rather than the final image, and using photography as a way to notice, connect with, and experience nature. I would highly recommend her workshops.”
Tila R
“I have been lucky enough to both attend one of Jo’s mindful photography workshops, in a local nature reserve, and also to run workshops with Jo in the centre of Oxford. I love her invitations to stop, breathe then follow our curiosity, to take some slow time out in a fast world that often erases true attention. I always feel better; I always feel more alive! Thank you Jo.”
Kate Oldfield
“Jo led a Mindful Photography event on the nature reserve that I help to manage. It was a wonderfully calming experience, and it helped me to look at a very familiar site in a new way. I saw things that I had never noticed before.”
Catherine R
“Jo was great and the session really relaxing. I found myself totally absorbed in the subject of the photos.”
L.O.