Holding out Hope in Dark Times

Everyone goes through difficult dark times in their life at some point in time and when it happens it can be a real challenge to remain positive and hopeful. My photography instructor instructed our group to capture hope in a photograph for a friend who has been diagnosed with breast cancer During this assignment I found myself reflecting upon personal experiences where I found and held onto hope. Here are a couple of the images I made. I challenge you to take some time to think about this word - Hope - and what it means to you. How have you survived difficult times in the past? Is there a special person, or people, in your life that you focus on? Does your faith bring you a hopeful feeling? Or is it something totally different that helps you to maintain hopefulness? You might do some brainstorming in a journal and then think about how you would capture hope in a photograph. I hope this exercise reminds you of all that you hope for, to draw upon for strength, through the more difficult life challenges.

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Finding Joy Through Photography

There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward. - Kahlil Gibram I've been thinking a lot about joy lately and I concluded that we experience millions of joyful moments in various forms and degrees of emotion, and that it is subjective. We are all different and find joy in different things, yet there are some similar themes. Also, it doesn't have to be the really big things that make you jump and scream with excitement, like winning the lottery - it can be little, everyday things that happen that bring the feeling of happiness. Joy can also feel like comfort, satisfaction, gratitude and feeling blessed, or feeling at peace and connected to a higher power or faith. I reviewed a lot of information in books, magazines, and the internet to see what others said about joy and I found several themes - people, spirituality, pets, nature, helping, gratitude, success, seeing joy in others, activities & events, being creative, and other (i.e. chocolate). The people ...

Winter Solstice Photography and SAD

Today is winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year; the time when the earths axis tilts farthest from the sun. For anyone who experiences the "winter blues", or some degree of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), spending more time outdoors and getting light is one option (among others) to help treat the winter blues and photography is the perfect excuse to get out into the light. If you live where there is snow and it is cold, just bundle up and get out there making photographs. Not only will you get more light, but it is a great opportunity to photograph the beauty of the season. And remember, starting tomorrow the days are getting longer and spring is on it's way.

Mindful walking with any camera

Does the change in season from summer to fall excite or depress you? Sure, the days are shorter and the air cooler, with winter just around the corner but I suggest you embrace it. That's what I did this morning when I woke up with an anxious pit it in my stomach with no explanation why, except the usual mix of what seems like a million items on my to-do list and my favourite energizing season - summer-slipping away. So I put on my jacket and headed out for a walk, but instead of my usual camera I only had my cell phone to take pictures. It doesn't matter what kind of camera you have, just get out there and get inspired. When you take this walk mindfully and meditatively, you just notice what is around you and experience it all fully. Hear the crunch of fallen leaves under your feet. See the vivid colours of the changing colours on the trees, feel the warmth of the sunlight on your face, yet a cool crispness to the air as you breathe deeply. Once again, as with other explorati...

Through the Lens: Photography for Wellbeing

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