"Plant seeds of goodness, and well-being will grow..." Buddha
...What if you could infuse your days with more mindfulness and a deeper sense of peace?
...What if that peaceful state-of-mind could inspire you to create more beautiful photographs?
Join me for a 14-day artistic journey that can take you from inner peace to greater creativity.
Soul Focus: Finding Peace Through Photography is about giving yourself the gift of quiet, contemplative time each day to focus on what is good, what is true, and what is beautiful.
It's about noticing more, appreciating more, savoring more.
It's about entering a gentle, sacred space of creativity.
It's about discovering what you can create with your camera when you embrace a more peaceful state of mind.
The inspiration for Soul Focus
After the very long and bitter U.S. election season of 2016, I found myself completely wrung out emotionally, physically, and creatively. Although I regularly take time to go outside and photograph nature, I found that I needed much more help each day to soothe my frazzled nerves. I needed more books for guidance. More art to lift my spirits. More music to calm my mind. More poetry that really spoke to me. More ways to express my feelings. Because I couldn't count on the world outside my door, I looked for other ways to create more peace within myself.
I began to journal about the things that gave me the most comfort, collecting all of the resources that uplifted and inspired me. It was no coincidence that these same resources nurtured new ideas of what I wanted to do creatively. By soothing my mind, I was able to refocus my attention on all of the good things again. Art often arises out of dark feelings and experiences, but for me, it was vitally important in these troubled times to create and share art that heals and uplifts my own spirit and those around me.
What this course is and isn't...
- This course is my own personal collection of inspirational resources that I will share with you, so that you, too, can perhaps find more peacefulness, more mindfulness, and more creativity in your daily life.
- This course is not about religion, although it will have a healthy dose of spirituality. In other words: It will help you get in touch with ways to creatively express yourself that are elevating, healing, freeing.
- This course is not a substitute for professional therapy if you are seriously depressed. At its core, it is a photography course that can encourage new pathways to creativity.
- This course is a gift from me to you. A gift that won't take up any space on your kitchen counter, but can fill you up with a deep sense of peacefulness and a renewed sense of creativity.
What's included in this course?
- 14 days of gentle letters (via email) from me to you, packed with all of my favorite inspirational resources for mindfulness, inner peace, and creativity, helping you to establish a calming photography practice that quiets your mind in these often-loud times
- A beautiful, downloadable "book" of all the lessons (PDF file) for you to keep and delve back into whenever you need to reclaim a sense of calm creativity
- Daily photo prompts that encourage creativity, reflection, mindfulness, and gratitude
- Private Facebook classroom to make new friends and share your inspirations
- Optional Instagram participation
- NEW in 2021: Soul Focus Book Club! You can opt to read the selected book along with your fellow students and share your thoughts in our online classroom! If you'd rather skip the book and just read what others have to say, that's fine, too. Either way, journaling is recommended so you can jot down your favorite insights.
Course Overview
The next session of this course will run from Monday, January 4 through Sunday, January 17, 2021.
Together, through a combination of beautiful photography, inspirational writing, music, and poetry, we will explore the following themes in-depth:
Day 1: Silence
Day 2: Sound
Day 3: Warmth
Day 4: Coolness
Day 5: Softness
Day 6: Light
Day 7: Darkness
Day 8: Fullness
Day 9: Pureness
Day 10: Clarity
Day 11: Deliciousness
Day 12: Gifts
Day 13: Spirit
Day 14: Time
What You'll Need:
- A digital camera or a smart phone (it doesn't matter what type).
- Access to a computer where you can upload your photographs.
- A Facebook account, so you can join our private classroom, share your own photos, and get inspired by your classmates.
Before the class begins, you should know how to upload photographs from your computer (or smart phone) to an online page. Never done that before? This link explains how to upload photos to Facebook, with step-by-step visual directions and a YouTube tutorial.
Please note: If you do not currently have a Facebook account and do not want one, you can open an account just for this course and close it right after the course ends, if you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level photographer is this course intended for?
This course is for anyone who enjoys photography (beginner to advanced).
Will there be any assignments?
No. Each "lesson" is more of an "inspiration" or series of prompts to help you reflect and create, whenever you find the time to do so.
What if I have a full-time job?
That's fine, and it's one of the best parts of participating in an online course instead of a traditional course in a classroom. If you miss a day or two due to a heavy work schedule, just catch up whenever you can. This is basically a self-paced course, so you will get out of it what you can put into it.
How do I pay for this course?
You can securely pay with PayPal at the bottom of this page. If you don't have a PayPal account, it's free to open one and easy to sign up.
What if I'm not located in the United States?
I'm happy to welcome students from around the world, and since it's an online course, there is no specific time for you to be "in class." Previous sessions of my photography e-courses have included students from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
PayPal will convert any foreign currency to U.S. dollars.
Do I need to buy anything?
No. Suggested texts will be recommended to you, but you can find them at the library (which I fully recommend) or preview their contents online when available through Amazon.
Will refunds be offered?
(I'm including this just for legal reasons--nobody's ever requested a refund for any of my online courses. In fact, quite the opposite: I've been told on more than one occasion that my courses were worth more than the prices paid.) Due to the digital nature of this course, I cannot offer refunds, so please ask me any questions or let me know any of your concerns before you register, by emailing me at [email protected].
- In 2015, I was one of seven Honorees worldwide for the Photo of the Year from BlogHer. (Here's the announcement: Notes on Being Selected as a BlogHer Photos of the Year Honoree.)
- In 2016, I was an Honoree for Voices of the Year from BlogHer. Here's the announcement:The Opposite of Crickets (Notes on Being Selected a BlogHer16 Voices of the Year Honoree)
- In December 2016, I was selected as a Judge for the 2017 Voices of the Year from BlogHer.
- In spring 2017, Artful Blogging magazine selected me to write an article for them on my creative process. Here's the announcement about its publication: The heart-warming thrill of getting published.
- Bella Grace magazine featured my writing and photography in their Issue 12.
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Since July 2012, I've been the sole writer/photographer at the blog JoyfullyGreen.com. If you are unfamiliar with my blog, I encourage you to take a look through the archives at my photographs, as well as the collection of my favorites for sale at society6.com/JoyfullyGreen.
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In March 2014, I introduced my first online photography course, How to Take Better Photos of Nature and the World Around You.Since then, I've taught that course several times and have added more online photography courses to my roster (including The Charm of Children: How to Take Better Photos of Babies and Kids; Beyond Auto Mode: How to Really Work Your DSLR Camera; and The Art of Photography: How to Take Your Pictures to the Next Level), with uniformly positive feedback from students.
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I've been taking photos for about four decades, ever since I was a little girl and received my first Kodak Instamatic camera for a Christmas present. Before my senior year at Vassar College (where I majored in Art History), I was a photography counselor at Wesleyan University's Center for Creative Youth in Middletown, CT, where I helped instruct high school students in photography (including darkroom development--anybody remember those days?). I have taken traditional courses in Black and White Photography, Landscape Photography, and Digital Photography in Philadelphia, as well as Visual Art and Design courses at Parsons School of Design in New York.
Kind words from students of Soul Focus and my other e-courses
"I don't even know how to express how enjoyable I have found this class to be. I appreciate so much the opportunity to broaden my perspective on everything. Sometimes I feel like I just now woke up and I'm finally seeing the things that I just didn't know to appreciate, and I'm only scratching the surface of possibility. I will carry these refreshing concepts with me as I look for opportunities to photograph the world around me. Your blend of spirit and photography is what keeps me coming back for more classes. I love my newest hobby and I'm loving the meditative approach. I know that I will gladly take this class again."-- Phyllis J., Illinois
"I can't say enough about how wonderful this course has been...so perfectly timed! I look forward to reading the day's prompt in the morning, and I carry it with me all day. Your words and photos always put me in a wonderful mood, which is great, because my days tend to be pretty hectic. I'm going to miss this class a lot."-- Sue K., Colorado
"I am sure to take another course with you. You inspire your students, as well as teach." -- Penny M., Scotland
"This course has been a blessing in countless ways. I have LOVED it! " -- Kathleen D., New Jersey
"Thank you again for this class. It's put me back in touch with teachings and practices that, for whatever reasons, slipped away from me over the last few years." -- Sharon S., Oregon
"I learned so much in Joy's online courses... it's changed the way I take pictures, but even more, it's changed the way I look at the world. I can't thank her enough." -- Amy K., California
"I have taken two of Joy's courses and learned SO much. I highly recommend her courses. You don't even need a camera. The second time I did a course I ended up having to use my phone and got some sensational shots." -- Eliza F., Australia
"I have taken many of Joy's classes, some more than once...and I learn something new every time. Did I mention she is an award-winning photographer? Another bonus: You will make lots of new friends in the supportive, private classroom!" -- Jerri D., Colorado
Registration
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P.S. Another other questions? Drop me a line at [email protected]