Finding Balance in a Holistic Approach

For years, I’ve practiced mindfullness as an approach to photography. Creating photos is a special form of therapy for me and approaching it mindfully and contemplatively has helped me to slow down, be intentional, and calm the chatter in my mind. As a nature photographer, I’ve got a head start because simply stepping into nature is proven to reduce stress, improve mood, and induce feelings of compassion. There is an entire branch of psychology known as Ecotherapy and it’s simple and accessible to all.

In addition to believing photography and time spent in nature is therapeutic, physical activity is proven to calm anxiety, release endorphins, and improve creativity. I engage in regular cardio and strength exercise to keep me fit for all that hiking and I have been practicing yoga for many years. In September, I began working towards my yoga teacher certification and after graduating from a 200 hour program, I decided that I just needed more! I’ve continued into advanced teacher training and come May I will have completed 500 hours of yoga teacher training.

What does this mean for photography, though? While it’s true that I don’t have as much time to dedicate to photography while studying yoga, my training is teaching me the importance of routine, ritual, and balance. Trust me, this is something I have been craving for the past year. My training has reminded me the importance of and offered additional ways to focus my mind to simply be present in the moment I am experiencing, which is something I believe allows for deeper, more meaningful photographs.

Starting in spring 2022, attendees to the Saltwater Retreat will have the opportunity to join in guided mediations, slow flow yoga, and receive more holistically balanced guidance on their photography journey. Online and in person mentoring clients can also benefit from this guidance as they work towards growing as photographers in their home environments.

I’d love to know, what do you find therapeutic? Can you think of ways that you can work to add more balance to your life and help you create stronger photographs and experiences?