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Embracing Mindfulness and Photography: Lessons from My Morning Walk


This morning, I decided to break away from my usual walking routine and take a mindful walk.

Table of Contents hide
1 Discovering New Perspectives in Photography
2 Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Activities

I live near the Richmond Lock so I went along the beautiful and peaceful path along the river. Armed with just my phone (not my trusty professional camera), I embraced the opportunity to be fully present and appreciate the beauty of the world around me.

Mindfulness and photography: lessons from my morning walk

As I strolled beneath the gentle morning sun, I made a conscious effort to pay attention to my surroundings. It’s amazing how much we miss when we’re caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. The familiar path I walked suddenly seemed different, filled with new details waiting to be discovered.

One thing that struck me was the play of light and shadow dancing among the trees. The branches created intriguing patterns on the ground, and I couldn’t resist capturing these moments with my phone camera. It’s incredible how a simple shift in perspective can transform something ordinary into something extraordinary.

Discovering New Perspectives in Photography

I’ve never been particularly drawn to landscape photography, I’m a portrait photographer after all, but today was different. I found myself appreciating the shapes and contours of objects, seeing them in terms of light, shadow, and shades of colour. The landscape took on a new life as I explored this fresh perspective.

collage of 4 photos capturing the sky throughout the trees.

While snapping photos, I began visualizing most of them in black and white. I imagined the contrast, depth, and impact that monochrome could bring. It’s fascinating how changing the way we see things can open up a world of possibilities.

As I continued my walk, I realized that mindfulness isn’t just about meditation or deep breathing exercises (though those are wonderful too!). It’s about being fully engaged with the present moment, whether you’re taking photos or simply observing the world around you.

By the end of my walk, I felt invigorated and inspired. The photos on my phone served as reminders of the beauty that surrounds us every day, waiting to be noticed and appreciated. I’m excited to explore more of this mindful photography, capturing moments of presence and discovery in my everyday life.

Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Activities

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a rut or disconnected from the world around you, I encourage you to try incorporating mindfulness into your daily activities. Whether it’s a morning walk, cooking a meal, or even washing the dishes, approach it with curiosity and openness. You might be surprised by what you discover!

Incorporating mindfulness and photography into our lives doesn’t require fancy equipment or extensive training. All it takes is a willingness to slow down, pay attention, and embrace the beauty of the present moment. So, grab your phone or camera, step outside, and start capturing the world with fresh eyes. Have a look here at the photos I took on my walk.

Related article: How Photography Can Bring Mindfulness to Your Life

Related article: The Power of Digital Minimalism: Why Less Screen Time Means More Life

black and white photo of boats shot through trees
2 people canoeing in the river
path signs: mindfulness and photography
leaves shadows on the street
texture and shapes in nature: mindfulness and photography
footbridge and its architectural shadows
details in the light and shadows
bridge stairs in the light and shadow

Curious about the black-and-white photography in this post? I deliberately chose this style to capture a unique mood and perspective. Black and white photography often emphasizes contrasts, textures, and shapes, evoking a timeless or nostalgic feeling.

How does it make you see everyday scenes differently compared to colour photos? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Posted in Personal, photography
4 comments
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  • Fransic verso

    I agree with you about mindfulness isn’t just about meditation or deep breathing exercises. Very informative post!  ReplyCancel

    • Valentina

      Thanks for reading. Yes everyone needs to find the mindful things that resonate with them the mostReplyCancel

  • Giovanni Casetti

    I’ve noticed the mindfulness and the quest for beauty. For me both, together, feed our soul and mind. Good post!ReplyCancel

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We live in a world where everything is fast, filtered, automated.

Where perfection is polished and every flaw can be edited away in just a click.

But what happens when we pause?

When we slow down…

When we really look?

Not just at the photos, but at ourselves.

This is where the true power of photography lives—not in capturing a perfect image, but in creating space for reflection, for presence, for seeing yourself as you really are.

No filters. No rush. No expectations.

Just you.

In the stillness, the truth becomes louder.

In the quiet, we see what was always there.

Because the answers we’re looking for, the confidence, the worthiness, the values, they’ve been inside us all along.

This is the beginning of Reflections Beyond the Frame. A space for honest conversations. For slowing down. For seeing yourself again.

When was the last time you truly paused to listen to yourself?

#ReflectionsBeyondTheFrame #empoweredthroughphotography #photographyforthesoul #lookwithin #selfdiscovery #celebrateyourself
#londonportraitphotographer #londonphotographer

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We live in a world where everything is fast, filtered, automated. Where perfection is polished and every flaw can be edited away in just a click. But what happens when we pause? 
When we slow down… 
When we really look? Not just at the photos, but at ourselves. This is where the true power of photography lives—not in capturing a perfect image, but in creating space for reflection, for presence, for seeing yourself as you really are. No filters. No rush. No expectations. 
Just you. In the stillness, the truth becomes louder. 
In the quiet, we see what was always there. Because the answers we’re looking for, the confidence, the worthiness, the values, they’ve been inside us all along. This is the beginning of Reflections Beyond the Frame. A space for honest conversations. For slowing down. For seeing yourself again. When was the last time you truly paused to listen to yourself? #ReflectionsBeyondTheFrame #empoweredthroughphotography #photographyforthesoul #lookwithin #selfdiscovery #celebrateyourself #londonportraitphotographer #londonphotographer

Did you know your newborn might cry, but without actual tear, for their first few weeks?

Even though they definitely make their voices heard (we know those cries well!), their tear ducts are still developing, so you might notice a lot of crying, but no real tears.

It’s completely normal and just another fascinating part of their early days.

Did you already know this? Or do you have another favourite newborn fact? Share it below, I’d love to hear it!

#FunFact #NewbornLife #BabyFacts #NewbornPhotography #MumLife

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Did you know your newborn might cry, but without actual tear, for their first few weeks? Even though they definitely make their voices heard (we know those cries well!), their tear ducts are still developing, so you might notice a lot of crying, but no real tears. It’s completely normal and just another fascinating part of their early days. Did you already know this? Or do you have another favourite newborn fact? Share it below, I’d love to hear it! #FunFact #NewbornLife #BabyFacts #NewbornPhotography #MumLife

As a small business owner, we’re told to show up, to be visible, to build a personal brand.

As small business owners, we’re told to show up, stay visible, and build our personal brand.

And on social media? It can feel like everyone else is always on: always networking, always glowing, always travelling, always achieving.

Perfect homes. Perfect outfits. Perfect nails.
Even rest has to look productive and aesthetic.

But here’s the truth I’m holding onto lately:
Not everything needs to be loud to be meaningful.

Sometimes, we need to go quiet to make space for what really matters.
I’ve been a little quieter here - not because I’ve disappeared, but because I’ve been working on something really special (my book is getting so close!!)...

And also giving myself the gift of slowing down and reconnecting with what matters most.

This is your gentle reminder that stepping back is still moving forward.
And you’re allowed to do the same.

#gentlereminders #mindfulentrepreneur #londonphotographer #slowbusiness
#femaleentrepreneur #fentrepreneur
#behindthescenes

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As a small business owner, we’re told to show up, to be visible, to build a personal brand. 
As small business owners, we’re told to show up, stay visible, and build our personal brand. And on social media? It can feel like everyone else is always on: always networking, always glowing, always travelling, always achieving. Perfect homes. Perfect outfits. Perfect nails.
Even rest has to look productive and aesthetic. But here’s the truth I’m holding onto lately:
Not everything needs to be loud to be meaningful. Sometimes, we need to go quiet to make space for what really matters. I’ve been a little quieter here - not because I’ve disappeared, but because I’ve been working on something really special (my book is getting so close!!)... 
And also giving myself the gift of slowing down and reconnecting with what matters most. This is your gentle reminder that stepping back is still moving forward.
And you’re allowed to do the same. #gentlereminders #mindfulentrepreneur #londonphotographer #slowbusiness #femaleentrepreneur #fentrepreneur #behindthescenes

Coming soon to toy stores near you... not really. But imagine!

Introducing the Valentina action figure:

Wearing the classic jeans + white tee combo

Armed with a Canon camera (obviously)

Comes with accessories like a laptop, lit candle (for vibes), white orchid (because aesthetics matter), AND my real-life Labrador sidekick

Mood: somewhere between “let’s create magic” and “I need chocolate.”

Honestly, this was such a fun little thing to try and kinda hilarious to see myself as a 3D mini-me! 🙈

But behind the toy box, there’s a real woman who’s spent years telling stories through photos. Helping mums feel beautiful. Cheering on women rediscovering their confidence.

Freezing the messy, emotional, magical in-between moments that make life what it is.

And while I don’t come in packaging (thank goodness, can you imagine the plastic hair??), I do show up with camera in hand and music in the background, ready to turn your moments into something timeless.

So tell me… if YOU were an action figure, what would your accessories be?

Mine better come with a never-ending SD card.

PS. My daughter said the figurine looks like an Oompa Loompa.
I might have laughed a little too hard… mostly because she’s not wrong.

#womenwithcameras #photographerlife #empoweringwomen #londonphotographer #smallbusinessfun #actionfigureenergy

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Coming soon to toy stores near you... not really. But imagine! Introducing the Valentina action figure:
 Wearing the classic jeans + white tee combo
 Armed with a Canon camera (obviously)
 Comes with accessories like a laptop, lit candle (for vibes), white orchid (because aesthetics matter), AND my real-life Labrador sidekick 
Mood: somewhere between “let’s create magic” and “I need chocolate.” Honestly, this was such a fun little thing to try and kinda hilarious to see myself as a 3D mini-me! 🙈 But behind the toy box, there’s a real woman who’s spent years telling stories through photos. Helping mums feel beautiful. Cheering on women rediscovering their confidence. Freezing the messy, emotional, magical in-between moments that make life what it is. And while I don’t come in packaging (thank goodness, can you imagine the plastic hair??), I do show up with camera in hand and music in the background, ready to turn your moments into something timeless. So tell me… if YOU were an action figure, what would your accessories be? Mine better come with a never-ending SD card. PS. My daughter said the figurine looks like an Oompa Loompa. I might have laughed a little too hard… mostly because she’s not wrong. #womenwithcameras #photographerlife #empoweringwomen #londonphotographer #smallbusinessfun #actionfigureenergy

VALE@PHOTOGRAPHYBYVALENTINA.COM

07577 978246

LONDON NEWBORN & MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER

BASED NEAR RICHMOND - TWICKENHAM