plant + shoot

photography with a zen vibe

You are here: Home / Mindfulness Photography

Mindfulness Photography

3 Ways a Photo Walk Can Feel Like Self-care

By Leave a Comment

There have been days when I was so busy at work that the whole day felt like a big blur. I didn’t have time…correction – I did not make time to eat a proper lunch or take a few moments to breathe and clear my head. Running from meeting to meeting and answering email after email for hours without a break leaves me feeling completely drained and out of balance. Lately I’ve started incorporating space in my day for two 10-minute photo walks outside and the results have been incredible. Here’s why…

  • Connect with nature. Spending time outside is a real mood booster for me. The change in scenery, smell of fresh air, and freedom from my computer and phone lifts my mood and calms my mind. Walking around observing the sky, trees and nearby plants for a photographic opportunity holds my focus and takes my mind off the work I left behind. A camera can be a tool for exploring and learning more about the world around you. I’ve become more attuned to changes in the environment and the habits of plants by taking pictures.
  • Slow down. The act of photography requires mindfulness and intention. If you are hurried and distracted your images will reflect it, plus you won’t notice the ordinary beauty that’s part of everyday life. Taking moments slow, breathing deeply and observing life with open eyes is good for the mind, body and soul.
  • Release negative energy. As soon I walk outdoors with my camera in hand, I immediately start to feel better. I focus on the way the camera feels in my hand. I notice how each foot feels as it touches the ground. If my thoughts drift to work or I start feeling anxious about a situation that happened or one I fear will happen, I simply bring my awareness back to my camera and the joy I feel when I am shooting.

Do you find photo walks are self-care too? Are there other ways you benefit from taking a photo walk? Share in the comments below!

3 Simple Reasons to Take Your Camera Everywhere

By Leave a Comment

What is one thing you take with you nearly everywhere? For me, it’s my camera and hand sanitizer. Ok, that’s two things, but I have one of those little sanitizers in the jelly wrap carrier attached to my camera bag so technically it’s one thing. Right?

Since I started practicing mindfulness photography, I see beauty in some of the most ordinary places. If I’m inspired to photograph a subject, I want to have my camera within arm’s reach. I’ve taken some of my best shots during these unplanned moments.

I am a Project Manager by day which means I manage timelines, budgets, deliverables, risks and expectations as my core job. That’s a lot of mental work! Photography is a creative outlet that allows me to put hurriedness and stress aside, to focus a few minutes (sometimes more) on something that nourishes my spirit and brings me joy. Once I have this meditative time with my camera, I am recharged to hustle a little while longer. But when I am behind the lens, it’s all about me and the present moment – not work, home, dinner, errands, or anything else vying for my attention.

If you are looking for a reason to never leave home without your camera, here are a few:

  1. Be prepared when opportunity knocks.

How many times has something caught your eye and you wished for your camera to take a picture of it? Yeah, you may have had your mobile phone with you, but you really wished you had your good camera. That used to happen to me – all the time! Like they say, “hindsight is 20/20”, so there may be other things I regret about not getting a good shot, but it sure isn’t because I don’t have my camera with me. I have a small Ona messenger bag that is just big enough for my Nikon D5500 body, one lens and a few accessories like a cleaning cloth, battery charger and lens cap.

2. Take a mental break at any time

Stress seems to be a normal part of everyday life for many of us. Hurrying to get things done, rushing to get somewhere or anxious about something we think MAY happen – sorta sums up how I feel most of the time. When I am feeling overwhelmed, I can pull out my camera and flip through a few images I’ve taken or time permitting, walk outside for a brief photo walk. Being outdoors and away from my computer screen does wonders for my mental health. In as little as ten minutes, I can enjoy a mental detox and return to work rejuvenated and ready to do more mental heavy lifting.

 3. Learn to see clearly

Leaning into photography has helped me learn to see clearly. By leaning in, I mean surrendering to what I see without adding preconceived ideas or learned perceptions about my subject. I don’t pass on shooting a subject because I think it is ugly or that the image may not get many likes on Instagram. I simply shoot subjects that connect with me. When I shoot without judgement, I create with authenticity and reveal the natural truth of my subjects.

You bought your DSLR camera to use it, right? But, you can’t use it if it is in your closet. So the next time you head out the door, make sure your camera goes with you!  

The 5 Senses Exercise: Grounding Yourself in the Present Moment

By Leave a Comment

I read a social media post this week by a woman expressing an interest in mindfulness to cope with a serious illness. She wanted ideas because she wasn’t sure she was doing it right. This got me thinking about how mindfulness is often misinterpreted. There is no correct way practice being mindful. Mindfulness simply means focusing on the present without thoughts of the past or the future – hence the mind is grounded in the here and now.

When you start to integrate mindfulness into your everyday life, it becomes accessible to anyone at any moment. I personally love to integrate mindfulness into my photography practice, but you can bring awareness to the present moment when you are sitting in a chair, drinking a cup of coffee, cooking or even walking. Opportunities to be mindful are endless. I’ll guide you through a simple exercise that focuses on the five senses and explain how you can incorporate this technique into your everyday life.

The 5 Senses Exercise is a grounding activity and one of my favorite ways to calm my busy mind. The purpose of this activity is to bring your attention to the present by having you focus on the things you can see hear, smell, taste and feel in your current environment. Here’s how it works:

  1. Slowly bring your focus to one of your senses at a time, whichever comes to mind first. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring your focus back to your senses. If your mind jumps to another sense, don’t worry about it. The goal of this practice is to notice what you are currently experiencing through your senses, not to follow any particular order of observation.
  2. Bring your awareness to:
    • what you see – what colors do you see? Where is the light coming from? Are any shadows present? Do you see any patterns or textures, animals or people?
    • what you hear – is the space totally quiet? Can you hear birds chirping, people talking, music playing or cars passing by? Pause with this awareness for a few moments before moving on to the next sense.
    • what you smell – are there any odors in the air? Can you smell the fragrance of a flower? Car exhaust? Freshly cut grass? Fresh coffee or tea? Dog poop? (Pee-ew!).
    • what you taste – this may be hard one unless you are chewing a piece of gum, sipping a drink, or eating. Notice whatever you can.
    • what you feel – can you feel a breeze? Feel your feet touching the ground or the floor. Notice how your clothing feels against your body. See if you can feel your pulse. Hold your attention there for a moment.

With a calm mind and focused attention, get ready to see the world with fresh eyes.  

Peace and zen,

Tonya

3 simple mindfulness practices for photographers

By 2 Comments

As much as I believe in the power of meditation, sitting still, repeating mantras or listening to guided exercises just doesn’t work for me. Fortunately, there is no prescription or right way to meditate. What does work in my case, is a hybrid of sorts – a blending of my passion for photography with simple mindfulness exercises – to create a custom daily practice that feels right for me. If this kind of practice works for me, it may also work for you. So, no matter what kind of photographer you are, you can reframe your attention and cultivate zen when you are behind the lens. 

As a garden photographer, my outdoor studio is naturally staged with endless prompts for practicing awareness. With camera in hand, I pay attention to my thoughts and the sensations within my body, as well as, to the details in the environment around me. This intentional focus on the present moment imparts a stillness in me – bringing about the peace and zen of meditation. If you are looking for a way to ease into a meditative lifestyle, try one of these simple practices (or incorporate them all) to help you be more mindful as you click the shutter.

  1. Choose deep over shallow breathing. This exercise is all about controlling your inhales and exhales. Long, exhales tend to be calming while long inhales are more energizing. Depending on your style of photography, you may be able to take a slow, deep breath from your belly before and after every shot to calm your mind.
  2. Focus on the movement of your body. Observe how you are moving. Are you walking, bending or reaching at a relaxed pace or hurriedly? Move your hands, feet and body with intention and awareness. Feel your feet connect with the earth or the floor where you are standing. If you are sitting or kneeling, feel what you are resting against and observe how your body feels in that position. Do you feel imbalanced (i.e. kneeling on one knee)? Do your muscles feel tight as you turn your head for a better shot? Listen to the sensations in your body – are they sending you a message that you would otherwise ignore due to lack of attention?
  3. Notice what time frame your mind is in. If you are thinking about something that happened in the past or may happen in the future (i.e. I may miss the shot), lovingly bring your attention back to the present moment. This is where the magic is.

Mindfulness can be incorporated into style of photography at any point in your creative process.  Leave a comment below to share how incorporating mindfulness has enhanced your life and work.  


By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with plant + shoot and Mailchimp to receive blog updates and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in any email to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

SHOOT: The Struggle for Photography Perfection

By Leave a Comment

Why do you take photographs? Really……what inspires you to pick up your camera? I am sincerely interested in your answer, but most importantly, I want you to articulate your “why” for yourself. Do you shoot to document an event, tell a story, create art, make money, or preserve a memory? Do you reach for your camera as a form of self-care or meditation? Explore your true purpose as a photographer for it will fuel you with the clarity and confidence you need to keep on shooting.

This image isn’t perfect, but it captures my favorite Spring flower and beautiful spheres of light in the background. And for me, that is what matters.

There’s one more thing to get clear about and that’s to understand who you are shooting for – yourself or others? I know many aspiring photographers who start off in high gear – binging on YouTube videos and books in an effort to master several techniques at once. They’ve barely learned one skill before they’re on to tackling another, while amassing more and more camera equipment along the way that they barely know how to operate and probably don’t even need. Although it’s important to master the technical aspects of photography, looking inward will take you farther as a photographer by inoculating you against the perils of perfection and the perception of others.

My advice is to take a chill pill – slow down – pause. Never let perfection be your ultimate goal. If you allow yourself to fall in the perfection trap, every critique, every negative comment, every unfollow will sting like a bee. You’ll become absorbed in how other people think your images should look. People will offer to define perfection for you, and if you don’t know who you are as a photographer and why you shoot – you’ll see your images through their eyes.

Starting today, get still, pause and breath your energy into every photo you take. Your camera is a powerful tool that allows the world to see how you see the world. And no one gets to question or alter your vision unless you allow them to.

Peace and zen,

SHOOT: 5 ways a photo walk can improve your day – and your photography!

By 4 Comments

I love photo walks! I work inside an office at a desk all day, so I really look forward to brief breaks to go outside and clear my head. One of my favorite things to do on these outdoor hiatuses is to go on a photo walk. A photo walk is simply a walk with a camera, however the main focus is to take pictures. Photo walks can be taken solo or with a group. No matter if you prefer to walk alone or in the company of others, a photo walk can improve your day – and your photography too!

1. Enjoy some fresh air

Photo walks can be enjoyed in any type of weather. Being outside in the fresh air is good for the body and mind. Take a few slow, deep breaths and feel your mood lift.

2. Move your body

Sitting less and moving more is good for your health. You may be uninspired to hit the treadmill, but the idea of walking through your neighborhood or a nearby park to shoot what interests you may be a bit more appealing.

3. Become a better photographer

Reading photography books and watching hours of photography tutorials on YouTube can be helpful, but the single most important thing you can do to improve your photography is to shoot. Each time you pull out your camera and take pictures, you are a step closer to becoming the photographer you aspire to be. It only takes a few minutes to hone an existing skill or practice a new one. Little by little, you will get better and better.

4. See something new

It’s nice to walk through a park or along a trail you’ve never visited before, but if that’s not possible, it’s quite fun (and a challenge) to look for new things to shoot in your everyday environment. Look for plants, buildings, animals/insects, water, light, rain drops, trash, sidewalks, or people to shoot. You’ll be amazed at the interesting things you see that you’ve never paid attention to before. Use different composition tools to capture the mundane in your own unique way.

5. Connect with nature

Simply being in nature can lift your mood, reduce stress, lower your blood pressure and help you unwind when you are overwhelmed. There’s lot of research on the benefits of connecting with nature, but do your own research! Here’s how one couple led their own nature experiment. Their story is so inspiring!

I hope you will add a photo walk to your schedule this week. Of course I want to hear about it, so tag your images on social media with #plantandshoot so I can find you!