Listen to your Song.
Childhood, our presence in nature, nurturing, and dreams.
Noah in the still water.
This morning I woke early, sipped water from the glass close to my bed, and smiled whilst peering down towards my youngest son, Jake, who had made he’s way through to our bed in the night. A little later I was downstairs. I sat quietly, made myself comfortable on a cushion and looked to focus on my breath, I’ve been meditating more regularly over the last year.
Meditation, walking, being present in the natural world, quietening our minds. We know these are beneficial to us, though we do not always gift ourselves the time. With this in mind, I hoped to share with you a project I have been working on that reflects some of these thoughts.
Over the last few years I’ve created a body of photographic work alongside my children. I tentatively titled the work “Listen to your Song” - the images are from moments, that myself, sometimes my partner, though always my two sons have spent in nature, quiet, prolonged moments that I have been mindful not to rush. It’s fascinating how children are often so very present in these natural settings if we are fortunate to gift them the time.
I have shared a selection of these images online previously, though not all. It’s different with a body of work such as this that feels so close to you, so personal, sometimes you can be a little unsure how to share it.
A selection of this work was recently shortlisted for the Royal Photographic Society - International Photography Exhibition - 165. This exciting selection gave me a little more confidence with the work and nudged me to share a collection of the images. Therefore here I am sharing via this newsletter I enjoy creating from time to time and also via my website as of today. I hope the story perhaps resonates a little with you.
Incidentally the work was created on film, digital felt like it could have perhaps been a distraction in the creation of such work, and of our time together in the natural world.
Reading on the moors.
Listen to your Song - A quiet, and meditative body of work that permeates conversations around childhood, our presence in nature, nurturing, and dreams. The work weaves a path through the natural world accompanied by two brothers.
Jake on the moors.
We hear the playful whispers of their childhood, we witness the lapping of waves on a quiet shoreline, leaves and tall grasses rustle in the breeze, whilst fresh footprints are imprinted on the land as new trails and adventures are sought.
An interconnectedness pervades as we witness their time spent in these natural environments - including moments of awe and wonder. We breathe in unison alongside an atmosphere of youthful curiosity, and intimacy.
Jake under the pine.
Thank you for allowing me to share a selection of this work with you. I have created a project space for this work on my site under the title “Listen to your Song”. I’m not sure if this project is complete or not just yet, as there are other images I’m still deliberating over including I guess. Though feel free to look through the story thus far.
From here you’ll also be able to navigate to other stories / projects I have available online, if your interest is piqued.
Till the next time, enjoy the rest of summer and speak soon,
Joel … x
These are quiet, restful photographs, Joel. It takes time and patience to just be in a place. We've lost the art of being present. Wherever we happen to be, we need to be fully present if we hope to connect to a place and the life that resonates there. Showing up is to arrive at a location. Being fully present in a place is to feel its pulse, hear its heart, and share its breath.
Beautiful and inspiring work! Love from Berlin