Contemplative photography is an approach to truly seeing and photographing the world with fresh eyes, emphasizing direct perception of “what is” opposed to evaluation and judgement. Just being with the senses.

I had the beauty of engaging in this practice with dear friends and colleagues years ago as a part of a mindfulness group, and I want to share my love of this practice with others (and reinvigorating this practice for myself). This practice is an extension of mindfulness, and invites us to connect deeply with our surroundings and capture moments as they truly are.

I don’t do this practice “perfectly” - but perhaps that’s the point. It is an ongoing opportunity to grow, expand, and contemplate what life really is.

Samantha Christopher 8/12/25 Samantha Christopher 8/12/25

Little hairs.

Still lounging/resting more often than not. So another blanket photo with complementary dog hairs 🐕

Samantha Christopher 8/10/25 Samantha Christopher 8/10/25

Early mornings

Just noticing the shadows and creases on my comforter as I slowly start waking up.

Samantha Christopher 8/9/25 Samantha Christopher 8/9/25

Texture

More texture - the weaves on my little leg scooter 🛴

Samantha Christopher 8/8/25 Samantha Christopher 8/8/25

Wrapped

Obviously, the theme of a lot of my photos lately has been around confinement - Taking photos of what is immediately in my environment and because of my broken ankle pretty much being in the same place every day. I noticed the pretty scalloped pattern in my bandage today.

Samantha Christopher 8/6/25 Samantha Christopher 8/6/25

Texture

It’s been a few days, but trying to get back to the habit of posting in order to commit to that mindful practice daily. Was taking a few deep breaths and noticed this texture on the wall.

Samantha Christopher 8/2/25 Samantha Christopher 8/2/25

Multi-textured dinner

I didn’t realize just how many distinct textures and flavors there are with a corn cob. Here’s to being more mindful! 🌽

Samantha Christopher 8/1/25 Samantha Christopher 8/1/25

A different view

Pain is more and more manageable by the hour. Decided to embrace some different scenery today.

Samantha Christopher 7/31/25 Samantha Christopher 7/31/25

Texture

Just the soft, velvety texture of this blanket captured in this image.

Samantha Christopher 7/29/25 Samantha Christopher 7/29/25

Ouch Pt. 2

Hopefully this moment I captured isn’t perceived as suggestive! I had my first major surgery this morning to repair my broken ankle. I was scared, I was nervous and excited to start the healing process, I watched myself make jokes and use humor to alleviate my own internal tension. Even though today was hard, I am proud of myself. I am grateful for a lot of support in my life and people who are taking really good care of me. Taking care of me allows me to best take care of others ❤️

So when I saw this moment with my foot and its new bandage, my leg completely numb, watching some TV in bed, I couldn’t think of another visual that captures this process/feeling/moment for me right now.

Samantha Christopher 7/28/25 Samantha Christopher 7/28/25

A little light

Since I have been spending most of my hours laying in this bed staring at the ceiling, I really allowed myself to come back to the moment and observe. I noticed the shadow from “the little light” and the textures and differences in shadows just from this light.

Samantha Christopher 7/27/25 Samantha Christopher 7/27/25

The fan

My view for the last few days. But noticing more of the details of the body of the fan than I did before!

Samantha Christopher 7/26/25 Samantha Christopher 7/26/25

Rainy Day

Rainy days laying in bed. Prioritizing healing. 🌧️

Samantha Christopher 7/25/25 Samantha Christopher 7/25/25

Cozy

So, I did break my ankle! In theory, I should have a lot more time to engage in contemplative practices! I am bedbound for a few more days hoping to get surgery early next week. Right now, I am enjoying this cozy blanket. The texture with the fabric pills are so interesting.

Samantha Christopher 7/20/25 Samantha Christopher 7/20/25

Ouch

An interesting practice today. Sitting in the ER with my ankle messed up (maybe broken, maybe dislocated). Very much focused on breathing with the pain and the waiting. And my fair share of complaining too because OUCH 🙃

Samantha Christopher 7/19/25 Samantha Christopher 7/19/25

Footsteps

At the pool today. Very much appreciating the joys of childhood at the pool 🌊

Samantha Christopher 7/18/25 Samantha Christopher 7/18/25

A Rainbow

Fuzzy - taken in the car. It is so special to just watch it as we are driving. Pulling out each color separately with my eyes. 🌈

Samantha Christopher 7/16/25 Samantha Christopher 7/16/25

“Puppy cuddles”

It’s been a few days!

This evening is full of rain and thunder - which means cozy time inside. Appreciating the presence of this pup (Arnold).

Samantha Christopher 7/13/25 Samantha Christopher 7/13/25

“I’m scared of owls”

Here me out.

My almost 4 year-old right now is scared of owls. It’s a long story, but she saw the owl scene when watching homeward bound (A childhood relic, which may have been a bit too much for her we admit) And it was creepy and scary. So she has been asking to see videos of owls and asking a lot of questions about them. She is also having bad dreams about owls, like this morning when she woke up really scared because of owls in her dream.

Maybe it was just owls on the mind, but in this reflection when I took a mindful moment just to be present while doing chores in the kitchen, I thought I saw an owl! The reflection from the lights, with a little shadowing in the middle that kind of looks like a beak.

Maybe you don’t see it and it’s just me, and that’s OK. But what an interesting thing my brain is thinking. Very curious to just observe.

Samantha Christopher 7/12/25 Samantha Christopher 7/12/25

“Purse on the gym floor”

Self explanatory. 😊 just mindfully waiting for roller derby to start 🛼

Samantha Christopher 7/11/25 Samantha Christopher 7/11/25

“Old Houses”

With age comes character. The blemishes tell a story.

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