Mindfulness Photography

Debbie Castro and Jonny Say have joined forces to create a  one day workshop for photography and mindfulness practitioners of all levels.

This event will aim to encourage a mindful focus that can be applied to photography as a way of interacting and communicating with other(s).

Mindfulness and Photography

This workshop aims for you to experience being totally present when taking photographs. The aim is to encourage you to slow down. Moving away from just clicking to using a four stage seeing practice to work on the process of taking an image. This will allow you to create personal photographs with deeper levels of meaning.

Mindful Photography may sound easy. You are seeing all there is to see but the truth is that our over thinking, busy mind distracts. Our attention span has become less and less and this is what we want to address.

  • Mindful focus that can be applied to photography: 
    Focused attention and open awareness working particularly with sight. 
    Open awareness for creativity, this aspect of mindfulness has been shown in studies to increase creativity.
    How to work with artists/mental blocks looking with beginners mind – removing judgement and analysis to look at raw sensory data – to aid creativity.
  • Working with negative thoughts (self-criticism, doubt, lack of confidence) – mindful strategies for working with thoughts and emotions.

    · Enhancing positive emotions through mindfulness to enhance creativity– bringing more happiness into photography using the brains positive feedback systems

    · Working with stress positively using mindfulness strategies.

About Debbie

Debbie has worked with some of the most prestigious names in portrait and food photography. She has exhibited her own work in London, PhotoIreland Dublin and in New York, and has collaborated with PhotoVoice and organised and curated exhibitions.
Debbie has an MA in Photojournalism from the University of Westminster. She is an Associate member of The Royal Photographic Society. Alongside sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge of photography as Director of Training, as a professional photographer she continues to create long term projects with the aim of exhibiting and publishing as photo books.
Debbie not only works with all aspects of the still image but has a keen interest in film making and is using both mediums to support her work. www.debbiecastro.com

About Jonny

Jonny has been practicing mindfulness and meditation for over 15 years. He began his training in Shaolin Kung Fu, Qigong and Meditation and has trained in many different contemplative and meditational practices. These include various styles of Qigong and yoga, Shaolin Chan Meditation, Spring Forest Qigong, Soto Zen Buddhism, Insight Meditation and other Meditation practices in the 3 major Buddhist Schools. He has attended secular Mindfulness teacher training with Shamash Aladina (author of Mindfulness for Dummies) and has attended many Mindfulness courses and retreats with various teachers.

Suitability

This one day workshop is suitable for anyone with a keen interest in photography and mindfulness. Please bring a camera with you ( any camera will do).

Course Content

The day will be divided between meditation sessions with Jonny and Photography discussions and simple exercises with Debbie that will act as a foundation for developing your ability to be fully present with all that you see.