The Mindful Photography Retreat
This very special one-to-one mindful photography retreat is a one to one journey into the art of photography and mindfulness. You’ll stay in The Old Sheep Fold; a luxuriously appointed Shepherds hut situated in a meadow overlooking the Kent and Surrey border. Paul will be your host for the duration of your stay, guiding you through an itinerary of exercises that focus less on technical photographic skill and more on building greater awareness and consciousness of your surroundings in a safe, quiet and non-judgemental space.
Retreats by Still are incredibly calm sessions; a chance to step away from the hurly burly of the every day and luxuriate in the solitude of waking up to nature. They are not designed to produce award winning images or to put you under pressure – quite the opposite, in fact.
The aim is to put you at ease, offering you the chance to step outside of your busy day to day life and enjoy switching off while exploring the mindful aspect of photography to allow you to begin to express yourself visually.
With Paul as your guide, you’ll explore the local area while concentrating on visual awareness, simplifying composition and taking your time to become aware and present in the environment. Over the course of the weekend, Paul will present you with small challenges and ideas to help you create the time and space you need to start to seeing in your own way. You will be given the basis of a practice that you can apply to your daily life.
Arrival
After your arrival, we will be taking an early supper together to chat about your personal goals for the session along with an introduction to ‘Mindful Photography’ and what it entails.
You’ll be given a welcome goodie bag and as evening draws to a close under the stars around the fire pit (weather permitting) you’ll have plenty of time and space to unwind.
Day One
On your first morning, wake feeling refreshed and peaceful before heading out for a full day of one-to-one photographic mentoring with Paul. He’ll guide you through a series of carefully structured exercises that are designed to get you thinking, including some simple but effective exercises in seeing.
Throughout the day, you’ll be encouraged to tune in to your emotions – what you’re thinking, feeling and seeing as you take each photograph.
Most shoots are based in and around the hut and the surrounding countryside, opening your appreciation of what possibilities lie on the doorstep. We will also venture to a couple of locations that Paul uses for his own photography nearby. On Saturday evening you’ll enjoy dinner together whilst reflecting upon the day and how the experience made you feel.
Day Two
After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll review the previous day's images and your personal goals. During the morning, we’ll look at a post processing and image selection.
Later, we will print out one of your images, looking at how to process an image and bring out the mood within it.
Capturing your photograph is only part of the story; interpreting it is the other, and finally printing it out gives you a tangible connection back to original location and a lasting reminder of how you felt in the moment that the photograph was taken.
A light lunch is provided before farewells in the afternoon.
The setting
You’ll be staying in the Old Sheep Fold – a luxurious shepherds’ hut that overlooks the gorgeous Kent and Surrey border.
The shepherds’ hut is warm, cosy and beautifully appointed, containing all of the creature comforts you could possibly need for your stay, including hot water, electricity, tea and coffee making facilities, WC and shower.
What’s included
All food and tea, coffee from arrival (check in 3pm) until 4pm on departure day (no alcoholic drinks)
One to one mentoring from Paul Sanders throughout your stay
Two nights’ accommodation in The Old Sheep Fold
An A3 print of at least one of your favourite images
Price £1850
2022 Dates available; Jan 17-19th, April 4-6th, May 9-11th, June 20-22nd, Sept 12-14th, October 3-5th
Optional extras include; Massage, Forest Bathing, Mindfulness meditation, journaling, restorative yoga and astrology - all subject to availability and extra charge.
Terms of booking
cancellation policy
Still by Paul Sanders has a very clear and transparent cancellation policy. The cancellation policy applies regardless of circumstance so it's essential you understand these terms before you book.
Cancellation fees are as follows:
8 weeks or less before the retreat: a 100% charge
12 weeks or less: a 75% charge 16 weeks or less: a 50% charge
More than 16 weeks: a 25% charge
We will not refund your fee if you are unable to attend: even if we fill the place. We strongly recommend you have travel insurance in place to cover an eventualities where you may be unable to join us.
exceptional circumstances
We cannot be held liable for situations beyond our control, including (but not limited to) acts of war, acts of God, threats or acts of terrorism, civil unrest or unforeseen personal circumstances. We also can’t offer refunds for illness, flight delays or any other circumstances. Please, please, please make sure you have adequate insurance in place to cover for this.
CANCELLATION ON OUR PART
In the event of a teacher cancellation, every effort will be made to deliver the same content by another accomplished teacher. If we need to cancel the retreat, we will refund the money you have paid so far. We cannot be held responsible for other costs – such as flights or any other incidentals and strongly recommend you have insurance in place to cover this.
COPYRIGHT CONTENT AND COURSE MATERIALS
All course material, workshop content and marketing literature is protected copyright. What that means in simple terms is that you may not copy it.
