Contemplative Photography - Palomar Edition - coming July 17

a little over an hour from the coast and 6,000 feet above it is a world apart.  palomar mountain is a unique southern california community, an intriguing blend of beauty and history.  i have been so fortunate to have hosted 4 retreats at beautiful upper meadow lodge and have loved every one of them!  i thought this would be the perfect setting for the next contemplative photography workshop.

this amazing lodge will be our base and we’ll explore from there on 3 photoshoots during the day, each with a different focus.  there are 8 acres of grounds and plenty of interesting photographic subjects ready to pose for us.

 it’s one thing to be the one that always takes the family pics.  it’s another thing entirely to go out on your own, just you and your camera, shooting exactly what grabs you and draws your attention. it’s not only lots of FUN but it’s calming. and centering. and a wonderful way to express yourself creatively. 

 with just a little guidance, you can learn to incorporate this healing practice into your daily life.  your eyes will be opened in new ways.  you will connect with nature and begin to learn from it.  your photos will have deeper meaning for you and that will be obvious if you choose to share them with others.  

 

this class has been evolving for a while and i absolutely love sharing what i have learned.  i am adding/changing all the time and will offer a 50% discount if you have taken the class before.

details and registration link below.  i hope you will join us! 

(it’s cooler up there!) 

Register here

discount codes:

repeater: 50% if you have taken the class before
friend: 20% discount if you bring a friend

I Dream in Lavender

i have written about lavender and lavender field experiences several times these last few years on my other blog.  obviously it’s something that resonates with me.  deeply.

 so having the opportunity to teach something near and dear to my heart to a group of enthusiastic students who “get it” in this atmosphere – well – pinch me!  it’s hard to think of anything that i would rather do! 

Classroom - outside

Classroom - inside

 it’s a bit of a trek out to the farm, the last portion on a somewhat rugged dirt road.  all the more conducive to feeling away from civilization…we had the entire place to ourselves and also the gentle guidance of alicia, the farm owner.  can you imagine?  

 

 we had 3 separate photoshoots, each with a different theme, separated by class time.  we went out on our own to experience the true meaning of doing photography in a mindful state. powerful. 

 we learned about metaphor, minimalism and wabisabi.  fun stuff. 

 sunshine, open land, flowers (not just lavender!), bees and ladybugs, interesting objects, a labyrinth, cooling breezes and a palpable sense of calm. no wonder i am dreaming in lavender! 

 p.s. i am so energized by my students’ enthusiastic responses i am already brainstorming and adding new ideas for the next class.  stay tuned! 

Lavender lovers

(you can find out all about the farm here. )

Contemplative Photography - Lavender Version

just imagine taking a day to feed all of your senses while learning a new avenue of life enrichment and connecting with kindred souls.  we’ll be strolling the fields of lavender and playing with new techniques, while searching for images that reflect our passions. 

contemplative photography is a practice that i have been involved in for several years.  it has opened my eyes in so many ways and allowed me to connect with nature on a level that i never dreamed possible.  there are many healing benefits and, with just a little guidance, it is easy and fun to do.

i am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to share my insights with you in this amazing setting.  i hope you can join us for an experience you will not soon forget!! Details below....

Minimum number of participants needed 

or workshop will be cancelled.  

Please do not wait to register!!

Online registration HERE or contact me
patty@nomadicnotebook.com

Date Change

It’s been about 10 years since I began to practice photography seriously. On pretty much a daily basis for the last 3 or so. This is my first attempt at teaching it. I resisted for a long time. The idea of teaching traditional photography does not excite me, so it took a while to find my angle…

I get that not everyone feels as I do about photography. Yet everyone has a camera.  So at your fingertips you have an amazing tool for creative expression as well as a means for self-discovery, stress-reduction, connection with the natural world and pure fun. Doesn’t that sound like something worth pursuing??

 If you are at all interested, just come to the first class and see what you think (I promise not to be offended if you don't come back :~) ) I do need you to let me know and register in advance by paying for the first class ($20 or $15 if you are a returning participant or bringing a friend)You can pay at the gallery or send me a check or I can send you a paypal invoice (painless!)

 

Hope you can make it!!

 

Oh, the 2nd hour of the first 2 classes will be spent at Alta Vista Gardens - the perfect setting in which to tune our creative photographic eyes!

It's a Wrap!!

it started small.  in fact i had to cancel the first class due to lack of interest.  um, yes, discouraging… especially given the hours of work that went into planning, setting up, etc.….

 but i persisted.  with the encouragement of the gallery directors and a few other individuals i stayed the course, pushed those pesky negative demons to the side and moved forward….

 i have already written about the first class and now the other 2 in the Creativity Unleashed series have been completed.

we wrote, we shared, we created, we played, we connected… we had a show and tell demo time that blew everyone away with the sheer creative diversity!  we discussed so many aspects of the creative life and in so-doing, every one of us re-discovered the magic that can happen when we open our hearts and minds to the creative spirit and to each other.

to end on that note would be nothing short of thrilling for me.  but there’s more!  the group decided that a good thing has been put into motion and that we don’t want it to end.  we have already planned our next get-together.  from there, who knows?

i am beyond grateful to these women.  and renewed once again in my confidence to keep moving forward and trust the process.  yes.

Love these gals!

The Magic Begins!

these are soul collage cards.  they are all mine.  i so wish i had thought to photograph the ones my lovely class members created in the first creativity unleashed workshop because they were simply astounding.  i don't think that is too strong of a word.  by the time each participant shared their piece(s) and the meaning behind it, we were all blown away!

it has been a bit of a journey in itself birthing this class and watching it become a reality.  i so love doing it because i feel that it brings together the different parts of me..... teacher, artist, photographer, presenter, organizer and friend.  it's really just the most fabulous thing!  and somehow the people that need to be there are the ones that show up..... LOVE that!

ArtBeat on Main Street

 there are 2 more classes to go and anyone can join at any time.  scroll down to the previous post to read the details.  i'm already excited for the next class.  we will be tackling those creative demons head-on and get into a little art journaling as well..... it's gonna be GOOD!

Creativity Unleashed (tweaked!)

we have been busy tweaking the details of this series of workshops and this is the latest scoop.

 since it looks as though a summer retreat is not going to happen…. instead i am re-routing my energies into a small series of workshops at ArtBeat on Main Street designed to discover, uncover or fine tune your creative voice.

 things have evolved so much in my life these last 3 years….it has not always been easy, but i am realizing now how i have moved beyond thinking i was not creative at all, to being completely passionate about the creative life.  i have read and shared and learned SO MUCH about this topic and i find it so powerful and exhilarating that i want to share what i have learned.  hoping that this will be the first of many!!