Stillness of Summer 7th July - 22nd September

£200.00

The Stillness of Summer: A Mindful Photography Journey

Begins 7th July 2026 1830 - 1930 (UK Time)

Continuing 21st July, 4th August, 18th August, 1st September and concluding 22nd September 2026.

Highlights

  • Six live sessions hosted on Zoom on Tuesday evenings at 1830 (UK Time)

  • All meetings recorded and sent out by email

  • Safe, supportive non judgmental workshop

Summer often arrives with a sense of urgency. We are told to chase the light, to fill the long days with doing, and to bask in the high-energy fullness of the season. But for those of us who seek a deeper connection, the heat and the brightness can sometimes feel overwhelming, a storm of light that asks us to move faster than our souls want to go.

I invite you to step into a different rhythm.

The Stillness of Summer is an online photography workshop designed  to help you find the quiet pulse of the season. Running from the high heat of July through to the softening light of September, this journey is a sanctuary. Whether you have practised with me before, have my book Still on your bedside table, or are picking up a camera for the very first time, you are welcome here.

Together, we will explore the concept of stillness in the midst of the heat, learning to lean into the shifting moods of the season. We will find that summer is not just one long, bright day, but a collection of subtle atmospheres. There is a specific quietude in the heavy, humid air before a storm, a sense of deep relief in the scent of rain on parched pavement, and a gentle invitation in the cool, dew-heavy mists of an early August morning. Each shift in weather invites a shift in how we feel, and how we see.

We will move away from the pressure of technical mastery and the pursuit of the perfect shot. Instead, we will practice the art of receiving.

We will look for the visual poetry that exists in the deep shadows of a July afternoon, the quiet dignity of a late-August wildflower, and the hazy, soft-focus peace of a September golden hour. This is not about the kit or the settings; it is about your relationship with the world and the atmosphere around you. It is about learning to let the photograph happen to you, rather than making it happen.

What to expect

  • A Supportive Community: A small, non-judgmental group of 20 like-minded creatives where we discuss the backstory and the feeling, not just the pixels.

  • Deep Stillness: Practices rooted in the philosophy of Still, helping you use your lens as a tool for self-care, presence, and weather-watching.

  • The Journey of the Season: A gentle exploration of summer’s peak through to its quiet fading, finding the calm within the abundance and the beauty in the changing atmosphere.

  • Fortnightly Connection: Live sessions designed to be an easeful journey, giving you the space to breathe and explore at your own pace.

Summer doesn’t have to be loud. It can be a whisper. It can be the cooling touch of a sudden breeze. It can be a soft breath. It can be still.

I would love for you to join me as we learn to see the beauty of the world exactly as it is: imperfect, fleeting, and profoundly beautiful.

The Stillness of Summer: A Mindful Photography Journey

Begins 7th July 2026 1830 - 1930 (UK Time)

Continuing 21st July, 4th August, 18th August, 1st September and concluding 22nd September 2026.

Highlights

  • Six live sessions hosted on Zoom on Tuesday evenings at 1830 (UK Time)

  • All meetings recorded and sent out by email

  • Safe, supportive non judgmental workshop

Summer often arrives with a sense of urgency. We are told to chase the light, to fill the long days with doing, and to bask in the high-energy fullness of the season. But for those of us who seek a deeper connection, the heat and the brightness can sometimes feel overwhelming, a storm of light that asks us to move faster than our souls want to go.

I invite you to step into a different rhythm.

The Stillness of Summer is an online photography workshop designed  to help you find the quiet pulse of the season. Running from the high heat of July through to the softening light of September, this journey is a sanctuary. Whether you have practised with me before, have my book Still on your bedside table, or are picking up a camera for the very first time, you are welcome here.

Together, we will explore the concept of stillness in the midst of the heat, learning to lean into the shifting moods of the season. We will find that summer is not just one long, bright day, but a collection of subtle atmospheres. There is a specific quietude in the heavy, humid air before a storm, a sense of deep relief in the scent of rain on parched pavement, and a gentle invitation in the cool, dew-heavy mists of an early August morning. Each shift in weather invites a shift in how we feel, and how we see.

We will move away from the pressure of technical mastery and the pursuit of the perfect shot. Instead, we will practice the art of receiving.

We will look for the visual poetry that exists in the deep shadows of a July afternoon, the quiet dignity of a late-August wildflower, and the hazy, soft-focus peace of a September golden hour. This is not about the kit or the settings; it is about your relationship with the world and the atmosphere around you. It is about learning to let the photograph happen to you, rather than making it happen.

What to expect

  • A Supportive Community: A small, non-judgmental group of 20 like-minded creatives where we discuss the backstory and the feeling, not just the pixels.

  • Deep Stillness: Practices rooted in the philosophy of Still, helping you use your lens as a tool for self-care, presence, and weather-watching.

  • The Journey of the Season: A gentle exploration of summer’s peak through to its quiet fading, finding the calm within the abundance and the beauty in the changing atmosphere.

  • Fortnightly Connection: Live sessions designed to be an easeful journey, giving you the space to breathe and explore at your own pace.

Summer doesn’t have to be loud. It can be a whisper. It can be the cooling touch of a sudden breeze. It can be a soft breath. It can be still.

I would love for you to join me as we learn to see the beauty of the world exactly as it is: imperfect, fleeting, and profoundly beautiful.

Additional information

Photography is so much more than an image. To me, photography is an expression of your relationship with the world around you – your complete experience of a moment, in all of its wonderful richness. Many photographers consider photography as the culmination of subject and technical skill – but I passionately believe that photography becomes truly exciting when used to explore and develop your own beautiful art of seeing.

The course has been absolutely brilliant. The really interesting assignments set by Paul each week have made me ‘see’ more and really think about the meaning of the assignment. I’ve loved it as it has given me real purpose to my photography. The Zoom sessions with Paul were interesting and educational. As well as Paul, I have also enjoyed the interaction with the other members of the group via a private Facebook page. I couldn’t recommend Paul’s online courses more highly
— Elizabeth
  • I created this course for any photographer, from beginner to experienced professional, who feels weary of the rush, ego and competition but longs for a deeper more authentic connection to their images and subjects..

    If you want to use your camera as a tool for mental wellness, discovery, and connection, you belong here. All you need is a camera or smartphone and a desire to see the world with new eyes.

    We will work together over six Live Fortnightly Sessions (via Zoom), where we share our work, our feelings, and our growth in a safe, supportive space. All zoom sessions are recorded and emailed to every member of the community so even if you miss the live session you won’t miss out on the feedback and assignments.

  • The live zoom sessions will take place on Tuesday evenings at 1830 GMT each fortnight throughout the workshop, and last approximately 1 hour - each recorded and emailed to all participants. All assignments and any notes will also be emailed to everyone.

    The initial session will give out our assignment and something to inspire you to think deeply about it. The following sessions will be building on the project I will offer a new technique that you can use to explore the concepts further.

  • I want to make this accessible for as many people as possible. The cost of the course is £200

  • For those who have done online workshops with me before this will build on the previous ones, exploring new ideas and concepts to expand your creativity.

  • If you are travelling you can do this project anywhere in the world, you can and possibly  will use any sort of camera, smartphone.


 

About Paul Sanders

These days, I see myself less as  purely a photographer but more as someone who mentors and champions creativity in others. It’d be easy for me to teach you to take photographs in the same way that I do; to take you to stunning venues, tell you where to stand, which lens to use to capture the money shot – but it’s far more exciting to discover how you see the world.

With my workshops I want to create a safe place that’s free of judgement for photographers of all abilities – whether they’ve a bag full of kit or a smartphone in their pocket – to really explore their creativity and what creative expression means for them. I encourage people to explore their own space at their own pace, with their own eyes, giving them the absolute freedom to develop their creativity uniquely.

It’s all about finding yourself creatively and finding your style on your own terms – its not about validation, winning photography competitions or gaining approval through social media, but finding the courage to express yourself in your own way. To find your creative voice, and to photograph the world in the way you see it.