On February 14th and 15th, young mothers from our Bright Futures Program took part in a mindfulness photography workshop facilitated by Vanessa Kastner, a documentary photography based in London. The workshop introduced photography as a simple and powerful way to slow down, observe the world with intention and express personal stories. The participants arrived with small cardboard viewfinders they had made in advance. These viewfinders became their first tool for learning to see.
They experimented with what to include in a frame, what to leave out and how shifting position changes what a photograph communicates. The group spent time outdoors exploring this practice, then used their phones to capture what had drawn their attention. Each round of photography was followed by group reflection, and the conversations highlighted how differently we all see, MINDFULNESS even when looking at the same scene.
Meditation was an important part of the process. Vanessa guided the group through moments of quiet before and after the exercises, helping the young mothers settle their thoughts and approach their surroundings with calm and curiosity. The combination of movement, stillness, photography and discussion created a safe space for expression and connection.
At the end of the first day, the group received a simple assignment: photograph anything yellow. They returned the next day with images that carried many meanings. When their photographs were projected, each person explained why she chose her image, while others shared what they saw in it. This exchange showed how a single colour can hold many different emotions and memories.
The workshop then explored seven themes that support wellbeing: Calm, Curiosity, Creativity, Connection, Courage, Compassion and Celebration. Each participant selected one or two words and went out to create images that represented what those words meant to her. The photographs sparked thoughtful conversations about identity, resilience and the details of daily life that often go unnoticed.
Across the two days, the young mothers strengthened their confidence in using photography to express themselves. More importantly, they experienced how slowing down and paying attention can shift how they see their environment and themselves. The workshop also deepened relationships within the group as they shared stories and recognised common experiences.
This February session was the first step in a longer journey. In March, we will continue the process over two weekends, guiding the group in using cameras and building more advanced storytelling skills. Together, these workshops will help the young mothers develop personal visual stories that reflect their lives, their communities and their hopes for the future.
