Photography Zen Part 1: Cultivating Creativity Through Mindfulness

Have you ever felt your photography has hit a wall? Do you worry you've lost your creative spirit, or worse, that you've never unlocked your inner artist? If so, you're not alone! In the words of photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, the goal of photography is to put the head, the eye, and the heart on the same line of sight. For this reason, he believed that it is an illusion that photos are made with the camera alone. The creative soul speaks through the practice of self-compassion and inner peace. We will explore a variety of topics that will open the pathways to self-discovery and expressive photography. In this interactive class, through the practice of mindfulness and a series of exercises in contemplative photography you will experience a deeper connection to your photography as a true expression of yourself.

Special instructions: This class is open to all levels of experience. Since this is a hands-on class, you will need a camera - whether it's a DSLR, point and shoot, or smartphone, and have working knowledge of it.

Price: $59, $48 member

Instructor: Jeanette Burkle

Jeanette Burkle is a commercial and editorial photographer with extensive experience in teaching, lecturing, and consulting. Since 2003, Jeanette has successfully owned and managed Galie Photography, while designing and delivering seminars on a wide range of photography topics. An award winning-photographer, Jeanette combines an engineering background with a strong artistic sense. With the belief that photography is part art and part science, she strives to use her unique background to produce art that is infused with a creative vision and improved by knowledge of the underlying scientific principles of photography. She has worked with many corporate clients including ExxonMobil, George Mason University, American Red Cross, John Marshall Bank, AmeriChoice, Medtronic, Harris Corporation, and Long & Foster Realty. Jeanette³ work has been honored through the Virginia Professional Photographers Association with such recognition as the highly distinguished Fuji Masterpiece Award and the Kodak Gallery Award.

Jeanette has been teaching photography since 2005. Her students respond well to her fun, upbeat classes, and Jeanette loves to see this passion be reflected in her students increased confidence as photographers.