Mindfulness is about increasing awareness of ourselves and the world around us. As we learn to pay attention we can begin to live with intention. This is where the beautiful combination of photography and mindfulness comes in! When I first started doing photography it was a time when I was just playing, experimenting of sorts! I found it to be a really fun hobby, where I would see something that took my interest in the garden, or whilst travelling and I would capture it in different ways, angles, lighting etc. However, when I took my hobby to a paid job – it changed. The joy changed in a way that is hard to explain.
Whilst I found happiness in photographing people for their family or wedding portraits, what I found was that I didn’t enjoy doing it as a hobby. The combo of work and hobby was blurry and a new grey area I had to navigate. I still wanted to enjoy taking photos without it feeling like a burden (if you know what I mean?!).
So let’s work through the reasons and how photography can help you de-stress and feel more grounded.
How can photography improve my mental wellbeing? 9 Ways – let’s go…
1. Being present in the moment
This is the key to improving your mindfulness and focus. By being present in the moment and practicing nature photography it encourages you to focus on the here and now, which reduces distractions and overthinking. In a beach scene, for example, I might start to look for something that catches my eye, like some pretty shells or interesting seaweed patterns, then I will look at the lighting to see where the sunlight is coming from, I also check to see if there’s anything within that scene I don’t like (like pesky cigarette butts – they’ll ruin a shot any day!), beautiful patterns or textures catch my eye too – so I am always looking for those. I have to work on capturing the bits and pieces in the scene as if pulling together a whole shoot that would display what I saw whilst there. I guess, a bit like a story board! When I’m in the moment on a shoot I end up getting completely lost in my focus on what I can capture next. The light is usually fading too (as the end of the day is my favourite time to shoot) or I’m limited with the amount of time I have (often when on holiday and we want to fit various site visits in!), so I have to work relatively quick – not in a stressful way, just in a keep on moving & think on your feet for the next shot.
2. Enhancing Self-Awareness
This is a big one for me. When I first started doing this I was joined by my then boyfriend (now hubby!) who also had an interest in photography. However, since I, at the time, had worked solo for some 10 years on photoshoots, I found it kind of weird and confronting to have another photographer working on the scene as well. I know that sounds weird, but hear me out. I was so used to working fast and hard (weddings are all about the next shot and not missing crucial moments!) that having him join me and his pace was literally the opposite to mine! He was used to waiting for the perfect moment, vs my approach of let’s make it happen and create shots, and I’d shoot hundreds of shots, whereas he would capture maybe 50 at the most. I needed to get some self-awareness on how I was emotionally dealing with this scenario, not letting it frustrate me. Instead I tried to focus on how I could let him express himself in his images and be more aware of how I could regulate my emotions and self expression.
3. Boosting Creativity and Joy
By exploring new angles and subjects you cultivate curiosity and inherit a playful mindset. It took me a while to work this one out and I think it was when we started to pull our shots together after a shoot I realised how the two of us had complimented the scene through our work. I remember arriving at a place on the coast one afternoon and thinking how crap it looked and honestly thought we were wasting our time! I even took a shot at the beginning to show how blagh it looked. However, upon exploring and walking around the beach edges (it was a really rocky beach area) being amazed at what I started to see – contrasting grass colours, jagged rocks with interesting textures and playing with the sunlight to highlight this, swirling water as it moved with the tides (and splashes as it crashed onto the rocks near me!). I honestly felt like a kid – I could feel myself getting more and more excited as I got into the shoot. I was climbing all over the rocks to capture waves crashing, water movement for interesting shots. I didn’t care if I was making terrible photos – I was having a blast!
4. Connecting with Nature
Photographing natural environments in detail was never my thing until I started this project with my other half, I loved nature but this was different. We were intentionally going out in nature to capture it – and in that process, connecting with it. Mindful photography involves observing your surroundings (whether it’s a natural environment or not), which does improve ones mood and mental health and photographing nature certainly has that impact! I have always walked away from a nature shoot with a more gratitude than before, a sense of awe and a drive to contribute to preserving the environment wherever and in whatever capacity, I can.
5. Developing Patience and Focus
Ah yes..patience! This is not one of my strong points! It’s my husbands, but not mine and I have had to really work on it. Whilst I’m sure you are picturing me jumping all around a scene like a flea, I do slow down and focus on the task at hand. Nature photography and even street photography is about waiting for the right moment and I guess weddings can also be like that too, as things unfold, you never know what might happen! By staying on task it reduces mental clutter, which feels calming. I have found working on scene helps me to focus and really with no other distractions it’s like having a brain clear out!
6. Reducing Stress & Anxiety
Overthinking and constant worrying are a regular thing in my life (frustratingly). Carrying out nature photoshoots or for the fun shoots in my backyard has really helped me shift this worrying approach to life. It doesn’t mean I still don’t worry I do but I have somewhat managed to tame the worry monkey in my head! Walking around a natural environment shifts my focus away from the everyday things that seem to consume my brain and instead put things into perspective. I step into a creative exploring mode that honestly makes my worries feel a tad silly. I actively choose to step into that scene fully and my brain has no choice but to let all the chatter go, giving me a much needed break! I’ve also found being in nature, it has a profound impact, one where you feel quite small and somewhat insignificant compared to the amazing environment around you (obviously this depends on where you are!) but I feel like my worries are a bit silly and I should let them go. What’s more worrying is that these environments need to be cherished and looked after so we still have them in many years to come!
7. Creating a Sense of Accomplishment
Producing something tangible, like a photograph, can boost confidence and provide a sense of purpose. As I mentioned in point number 3, once I began to unpack my shots taken and look at what my husband took, there was a beautiful sense of pride. I didn’t plan to sell these photos, they were simply for me to enjoy and have around the house, or whatever. I still love looking through the galleries we have created and by revisiting your work it reinforces positive memories and achievements. It’s made me proud to just have a little hobby that I can enjoy and when needed step into for the joy of it!
8. Encouraging Community & Connection
Sharing your work with like-minded individuals (offline or online) can create a sense of belonging. Connection is so important and vital for humans. This is what I hope to achieve here on this platform, a place where like minded people can share their images and joy of photography without judgement or pressure.
9. Aligning with Slow Living Principles
Mindful photography complements slow living but encouraging intentionality and simplicity. Aligning with a lifestyle focussed on finding meaning in small, everyday moments fulfils my slow living philosophy and makes me a happier human! Slowing down to photograph something is bigger than we realise and important in creating mindfulness. My little photography projects make me feel content and give that sense of purpose and meaning to my life. After many years of questioning who I am, what I want to do with my life, I have listened to what makes me happy, where am I most curious – working out how to capture something creatively makes me smile. And that’s all the validation I need!
Mindful photography isn’t just about taking photos—it’s about finding balance, joy, and a deeper connection to the world around you. By slowing down and focusing on the present moment, you can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and nurture your mental wellbeing. So, grab your camera, step outside, and let your lens guide you to a calmer, more fulfilled mind.
Carly has been photographing since 1998 and professional since 2004. Capturing nature and people are her two favourite subjects.