Mindful Photowalks with Celie Nigoumi - where it all began.
Mindful Photowalks were born in November 2024 from my love of taking a camera into nature and documenting the magic I’d notice when I slowed down enough to really see it.
I wanted to share how wonderful it feels to take a version of what we see home.
These events were also a way of raising funds for the people of Palestine and ‘pay what you can’ ticket sales have raised over £400 for on-the-ground charities and still continue to do so.
These events started as a way to teach photography skills to people who’d like to use their phone or camera better, but I quickly realised that they were becoming so much more than that.
They became a joyful way of connecting with ourselves, with nature and other creative folk, through grounding exercises and observational activities. It’s not about making a perfect photo, but developing our own visual language and discovering what we’re really curious about.
“It was really was wonderful taking part in this walk and I learnt so much listening to you and chatting with the others”
I have hosted Mindful Photowalks in Frome, Bath, Bristol and London by myself and in collaboration with brands and organisations such as Frome Festival, Analogue Wonderland, Black Girls Hike, London Wildlife Trust and most recently at Sistaland Festival.
This Spring, I co-facilitated a 6 week nature programme with Soul Trail Wellbeing, exploring themes such as compassion and tapping into our senses to improve wellbeing through the powerful tools of art and community. The life changing results from one particular participant were even featured on BBC News - see below.
Our 6 weeks together, ended with a picnic where we reflected on how our photography skills had progressed, but also about how we felt within nature, and the mindful practices we’ll take forward.
What I love most about these Photowalks, is that they are a multi-sensory experience. Not only are we taking photos of our environment, we’re noticing how soothing the wet moss feels on our skin, smelling the roses and enjoying the breeze in our hair.
It’s beyond lush to see the joy on someone’s face when they nail a new camera skill that lets them document the world in a whole new way!
Our conversations stretch far and wide. From practicing self-kindness to how light influences the stories we’re telling, we leave with a new found perspective on much more than photography.
My Mindful Photowalk’s are for anyone who uses a phone or camera to make photos, and suitable for all abilities. I welcome folks of all genders and backgrounds with all types of brains and send out pre-event emails telling you exactly what to expect from the location, accessibility and timings.
See all upcoming Mindful Photowalk dates here:
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