Photography as a Contemplative Practice
Photography can be a wonderful contemplative practice.
The camera lens becomes a way of noticing God’s presence.
We begin to see with new eyes.
We see more from the heart than the mind.
Over time, we begin to view the world differently…
perhaps even through God’s eyes.
If you’ve been looking for a simple way to begin sitting quietly with God, you can start here:
👉 Download the free Centering Prayer guide
Grab your camera or your phone.
Take a walk in your neighborhood.
Explore the paths of a local nature center.
Stroll through a small town.
Leave your worries, anxieties, fears, and concerns at home.
They will still be there when you return.
Decide to enjoy this time.
And then let go of that too.
God becomes your lens.
What might the Divine want to reveal to you in the frame?
Don’t go out looking for the picture.
The picture will find you.
What captures your attention?
What draws you in?
It might be something simple.
The soft colors of leaves changing in the autumn.
The way they gently fall to the ground.
It might be a church.
Constructed of large, worn stones.
Quiet. Steady. Beautiful.
It might be a small pond.
Reflecting the sky so clearly
you can’t tell where the water ends and the sky begins.
Focus.
Snap the picture.
Zoom in if you need to.
Change your perspective.
Shift from portrait to landscape.
Crouch down and look upward.
Climb a small hill and look down.
Notice what changes.
“Photography can be an act of silent worship.”
We rest in God’s presence that surrounds us.
Each frame becomes something to receive… not control.
“Practice is the key to developing any habit; it is the commitment of a lifetime to keep showing up.”
I return each day to my centering prayer practice.
This kind of seeing is no different.
Each time I show up,
I’m often surprised by what is revealed.
If this practice resonates with you, I highly recommend:
Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice by Christine Valters Paintner
If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it with someone who may need a quiet moment today.
And if you’d like a simple way to begin sitting with God:
👉 Download the free Centering Prayer guide
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I agree.God is seen in His creation. Photography is catching that momentary beauty. There are times when my inner person, my spirit, is greatly moved by natural wonders or the simplicity of humanly created wonders. Many are silent monuments to people who have gone on before us, like the little white-steepled churches that dot town and countryside. We are so fortunate.
“Photography is catching that momentary beauty.”
Yes. That is what photography does. Thanks for your comments.
I am a professional photographer as well as a contemplative Christian…I cannot wait to devour this book! Thanks for posting this book review!
Wonderful book and terrific author! She has written many great books.