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Apr 26
in Inspirations, Karijini 2012, Photography Teachings

Meditation for Photographers

Being able to connect with the Silence is an important skill which helps enable us to express our unique voice. I meet many people who say to me that they struggle with being able to pre-visualise their photographs; or struggle with making their images speak more about who they are and what they want to say through their images.

When one’s mind is cluttered and filled with everyday worries…. plans… memories…. questions…. work… family…etc… there isn’t space for the clarity of one’s true essence to flow through to create images which speak one’s unique voice. To practice clearing the mind of  ‘stuff’ is an important skill to enable oneself to connect with a scene or environment wholly and totally; so one is immersed in being totally present with oneself in that environment or circumstance. Daily meditation helps with this skill, and can be drawn upon when photographing or creating images.

Daily practice of meditation requires self-discipline, but I find that is truly worthwhile, and I would suggest trying it for a month or so….just to see the results for yourself.

Starting Meditation for the first time.

If you are not accustomed to meditating here are a few tips to start.

  1. Practice first thing in the morning.
  2. Have a quiet environment where you have expressed to other members in your home that you require 15 minutes to yourself without interruptions.
  3. Sit comfortably somewhere. A chair is fine..or even using your bed head as a back rest. If you choose to sit on the ground or floor, ensure you are sitting on a small cushion or pillow to ensure your spine is in a comfortable position and your pelvis is tilted slightly forwards and not rounded outwards at the base.
  4. Close your eyes and draw your awareness to your breathing and make an intention for your practice and perhaps give gratitude for something in your life.
  5. Inhale and exhale deeply and slowly 3 times, then just witness you natural breathing.
  6. Thoughts will ALWAYS come through. Just let them waft through your mind by not continuing the dialogue with yourself. For example – if you think “What am I going to have for breakfast?”…. don’t answer yourself…. just witness the thought and just bring your awareness back to your breathing.
  7. After about 10 minutes take 3 deep inhale and exhaling breaths, gently open your eyes and stand to continue your day.

Meditation is a very powerful tool for clearing the mind and connecting with the essence of oneself and the Universe. There are spaces where the Silence reveals insights which guide us to express our unique voice; and for photographers – this is imperative. As artists – it is also our responsibility.

….so for those who have not embarked upon meditation before, I encourage you to begin with an open heart and try for just a short time every day. Once you have practiced this for a month or so…. you can develop and deepen your practice further and I will post some more tips and techniques for this in future posts.

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About the Author: Julie
I am a Journeywoman. I live my life as an explorer. An adventurer. An Observer. An Artist. There is no differentiation between how I live my life and the art that is an expression of it. It is through my experience adventuring the unknown, that I learn more about myself. My aim through this connection is to live where my expression is fully in alignment with the essence of who I am. “In the field of Fine-Art Photography, Julie stands apart from others with the way she sees the world and expresses her connection within it. Julie Stephenson’s photographs are sublime. Her work is an expression of her deep connection; and a gift to the world.”

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skeinydipping

I looked down and saw my hands. Hands which have t I looked down and saw my hands. Hands which have touched; have loved; have created; have worked; have nurtured. My hands.   

I looked down and saw on my wrist and fingers items from around the world which have so many stories; items which have all been created from the heart and made by the hands of others. 

I looked down and saw beautiful yarn. Yarn which has been handled carefully through shearing, dyeing, skeining, balling; and now being knit in my beautiful hands. 

My hands are one of my gifts. This year I’ve really missed the touch of another with my hands, to feel the heart of another through my fingertips; but so grateful and love my hands which touch and feel; work and play!

What do you see when you look at your hands?

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Knitting a fabulous  #slipstravaganzamkal by @westknits .
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#gratitudeattitude #westknitsarethebestknits #westknitsmkal2020 #knittersofinstagram #knittersoftheworld #knittersofaustralia #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #handmade #handmadejewellery #fromtheheart #createeveryday #livetotravel #healing #healinghands #creativehands
My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories. I’ve had adventures on all continents. Slept being rocked by the sea; felt the ice on my skin in both polar regions, and felt the silence of the deserts. I’ve walked stone steps in monasteries at altitudes where each step I’ve taken consciously and mindfully; focussing on treasuring every molecule of oxygen in the rarefied atmosphere. 

COVID has paused those adventures, but I draw upon my experiences as I navigate adventuring my days in a different way, on our ‘home range’. 

I recall my steps in Tibet as I walk through our bushland. I am mindful and conscious of my surroundings. I listen. I feel. I feel happy here. I am content.

My new stories may not hold the same experiences of connection with others; and may not be of extreme challenges or crazy things  (which I am rather prone to doing! 🙂 ) but they are not less wondrous… as I smell the warm eucalyptus waft from under my feet. 

I weave my stories, and this story is of my personal journey on my daily walk through our bushland. 
You can see some of my other woven stories on my website - link in profile. 

How do you express your life’s stories?
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#weaversofinstagram #indiedyedyarn #indiedyed #rigidheddleloomweaving #ashford #inspiredbynature #contentcreator #emotionalbalance #homedeco #handcrafted #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #wellbeing #travellerlife #journeywoman #weavingaustralia
“....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those “....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those times in your life when you need a meditative and healing knit. Assookinakii (ass-s-oo-kin-uh-k-EE) means ‘healer’ in the Blackfeet language, thank you to Cut Woods School in Browning, MT for the tradish language support”. –  Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers 

Knitting this beautiful cowl by Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers for @sistersunitedmt ; WAS healing. 

As my hands gently formed the repetitive stitches I reflected on the word ‘Assookinakii ‘ - healer. I am a healer. I don’t understand it. It’s something unseen. Something within me which has been recognised by Ngangkari and ‘clever men’ here in Australia; and shaman and healers around the world as we travel. This recognition always has caught me by surprise; as I seem to walk a line between two worlds. 

As the stitches slipped from one needle to another and the beautiful colours of @spincycle_yarns revealed themselves; in the pauses between the stitches I heard a voice whispering to continue to seek connection with the natural world and listen deeply. 

What has been healing for you this year?
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#healingjourney #meditationpractice #dyedinthewool #assookinakii_cowl #knittersofinstagram #knittingaddict #livinglifetothefullest #happydays #shaman #healer #healersofinstagram #listentoyourheart #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #knittersgonnaknit #knittersoftheworld
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2017 All photographs created by and property of Julie Stephenson.