Led by Steve Radley

The heart is thought of as the seat of our emotions. For many of us, the last few years have been a roller coaster of emotions as we adapt to change and grieve the loss of things we knew. Discover how your smartphone or camera can be a gift to aid stillness, helping you explore your emotions and ways of seeing through the spiritual practice of Visio Divina. No photographic skills are needed, just a smartphone or camera. There is a mindful prayer walk each day but for those who find walking more challenging, exercises can be practised around the house & gardens.  The skills learnt can be used after the retreat, helping you see God throughout the day building spiritual and emotional resilience.

Session themes include helping us to see in new ways, exploring the ordinary through colour, embracing light and shadow,  creating an image to explore our emotions, and using images to create an Ignation-style examen. One of your own photos will be printed for you after each prayer walk and there will be a colour leaflet of the day’s exercises.

The retreat uses photography as a contemplative art, supported by enough technical skills but without those getting in the way of the power of seeing our pictures as windows to the divine, revealing our inner hopes and fears through story, and sharing images to build relationships.

Silence will be kept for the greater part of each day. Some 1:1 appointments will be available, and a simple pattern of daily worship structured around the theme and images of the day.

Steve Radley is an Anglican priest, professional photographer, and members ambassador for the Guild of Photographers. A military veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan he found contemplative photography helped him after his experiences of war. In 2021 he was awarded the Amateur Photographer Magazine Unsung Hero Award.