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 9/21/25 Samantha Christopher 9/21/25

Weaves

Tight weaving of this silly compression sock. Keeping my ankle swelling a bit distributed!

Samantha Christopher 9/19/25 Samantha Christopher 9/19/25

Memories

I was cleaning up my office now that I am able to walk up and downstairs again, and found my old name tag! I popped it on my filing cabinet and reflected a little bit on my journey 💕

Samantha Christopher 9/6/25 Samantha Christopher 9/6/25

Rainbows

How did this old toy get back out?? Just noticing the vibrancy of each of the colors in the smooth wood texture. And realizing that even though the intention was to post something, that’s OK if there’s space in between 🥰

Samantha Christopher 8/31/25 Samantha Christopher 8/31/25

Childhood Revisited

🖍️

Samantha Christopher 8/24/25 Samantha Christopher 8/24/25

Contrast of color…

… as I’m icing my leg. The frost on the ice packs giving a subtle silver sheen. The light blue and the dark purple. And it’s chilly 🥶

Samantha Christopher 8/22/25 Samantha Christopher 8/22/25

Contrast of color…

… as I’m icing my leg. The frost on the ice packs giving a subtle silver sheen. The light blue and the dark purple. And it’s chilly 🥶

Samantha Christopher 8/19/25 Samantha Christopher 8/19/25

Wüf

More textures. Lots of sitting and lounging as I heal, and I am so ready to start walking again. but maybe this is the reminder to stay present to where I am right now.

Samantha Christopher 8/17/25 Samantha Christopher 8/17/25

Hairs Pt 2

Noticing my beautiful kiddo’s golden highlights. ☀️

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. 🌧️

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