Isle of Lewis Mindful Photography Retreat, 9th to 14th March 2025

Workshops and retreats by Still are a way of exploring mindfulness through the art of photography. Set in some of the most beautiful scenery and sweeping landscapes that the planet has to offer, you will be encouraged to switch off from the outside world, giving yourself time and space to be creative. Time is one thing we can guarantee you will have; there will be no rushing and no pressure. The emphasis is on the quality of the experience.

Forget technical jargon and equipment envy. Shed the pressure to perform; trade pixel-perfect edits for the imperfect beauty of authenticity. You’ll learn to see with your heart, to feel the symphony of nature play upon your senses, and find yourself… not in pixels, but in the quiet spaces between them.

It's about stepping off the digital treadmill and surrendering to the moment. Each click becomes a meditation, a dance between light and stillness, where the only competition is with your own thoughts.

The details

This year I am really excited to be presenting my first mindful photography retreat based at the beautiful Uig Lodge, overlooking Uig Sands on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland.

Uig Sands is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful parts of the Isle of Lewis. The Lodge looks out over the bay from a commanding position and is an easy, gentle walk from the beach. The landscape here offers so much that it can’t fail to inspire, whether it is dunes, rock pools, the tidal river, sand patterns or even the rolling moorland with the mountains as a backdrop - you may even see the Sea and Golden Eagles that hunt the many rabbits.

If you wish you can just sit in the lodge with tea and cake watching the light chase the clouds and the rainbows form.

As well as sharing my mindfulness concepts around photography, I will also be including more photographic technique for those who wish to improve their creative craft, while discovering how to use mindfulness as a tool in photography to pay deeper attention, find a unique vision and enhance the experience of a moment.

Many workshops try to squeeze in visiting as many locations as possible. Discover Still workshops take a different approach, spending time in a location over a period days as we explore in depth the areas that really call to each individual. This approach is something that I have been working on for a number of years and have found it leads to a very different way of engaging in photography, leaving a much more connected sense of experience than the traditional whistle stop tour.

One of the most important aspects of photography for me is the final print. To this end I am incorporating a printing and book making element to this very special retreat, so that you will leave with more than a hard drive filled with photographs. You will have a hand sewn book of your images, something truly memorable from your time at Uig Sands.

We will have full access to the river, small loch and beach that belongs to the estate. The way I run my residential retreats is to give you the freedom to explore at your own pace. You can choose to get up for dawn or have a lie in, you can use the time to totally relax or to engage in a full exploration of the area. If you want you can choose to photograph through the night or feed your soul as you lose yourself in nature

The group size is limited to six participants, allowing for greater one to one time, dedicated feedback and instruction, plus a more personal experience… and no waiting for others to get out of your way.

Our chef Sian will provide all meals, from a hearty breakfast to start your day, followed by a light lunch and a two course dinner - there will of course be tea and cake in the afternoon too.

All dietary requirements are catered for. Teas and coffee plus snacks are freely available. Alcoholic drinks aren’t included, but you are free to bring your own wine or beer.