Mindful Photography Practice- Work the Scene
No Name Creek; A Sure Bet for Mindful Moments
I went out to one of my favorite hiking spots, No Name Creek, to create a video that represents something so important to me—something grounding when I’m struggling. I want to share it with you because this practice, called “Work the Scene,” is one of the best ways I know to find peace when my mind is racing.
It’s easy to get caught up in our thoughts, even in a place as beautiful as this. Maybe you’ve been there—surrounded by nature’s wonder, yet your mind is locked onto something troubling, pulling you away from the present moment.
I know that feeling well.
But photography has a way of pulling me back. When I pick up my camera and start "working the scene," something shifts. My perspective broadens, and the weight of whatever’s on my mind starts to lift. Instead of hyper-focusing on one problem, I begin to see the bigger picture—both literally and metaphorically.
That’s what this practice is about.
What You Think Upon Grows
There’s a quote from Emmet Fox that I included in my book, and I want to share it with you:
“What you think upon grows. Whatever you allow to occupy your mind you magnify in your life. Whether the subject of your thought be good or bad, the law works and the condition grows. Any subject that you keep out of your mind tends to diminish in your life, because what you do not use atrophies. The more you think of grievances, the more such trials you will continue to receive; the more you think of the good fortune you have had, the more good fortune will come to you.”
When I read that, I’m reminded why perspective is everything. When I step into a scene with my camera, I can either fixate on one frustrating detail or open myself up to the whole experience.
And isn’t that how life works?
It’s so easy to get tunnel vision, to let one challenge define our entire reality. But what if we could swap out that mental macro lens for a super-wide-angle lens? What if we could take in everything—the beauty, the possibilities, the divine order hidden within what might seem like chaos?
That’s why I love this practice.
Working the Scene: A Photographer’s Approach to Life
The idea of "working the scene" comes from my event photography days. When shooting an event, you don’t just snap one photo and call it a day. You move around. You explore different angles. You capture wide shots, details, candid moments, and everything in between.
Imagine a couple flipping through their wedding album. They’d want to see it all—the grand view of the ceremony, the close-up of the rings, the laughter during the reception, the tiny details that made the day special.
But imagine if the only photo in their album was a picture of the four-year-old ring bearer having a meltdown. Out of context, that single moment might feel like the defining memory of the day. But in reality, it was just one small part of a much larger, much more beautiful story.
That’s what happens when we fixate on our problems.
Life is bigger than the worries running through our minds. And when we train ourselves to step back, shift angles, and take in the full scene, we begin to see reality more clearly.
A Practice from The Mindful Photography Field Guide: Work the Scene. Learn how to get a wider view of your world.
Step One: Focus on Body and Surroundings
Before you even take a photo, you have to get present.
Place your hand on your heart.
Take three deep belly breaths.
Notice your body, the air on your skin, the ground beneath your feet.
Open your eyes and take in the scene—without commentary or judgment.
This simple act resets the nervous system. It reminds me that I am here, now—not lost in thought, not stuck in the past or future.
As I stood at No Name Creek, I did exactly this. My mind had been wrestling with its usual noise, but the moment I stopped and breathed into the present, everything softened.
Step Two: Capture the Present Moment
Once grounded, it’s time to engage with the world through your camera.
Turn on airplane mode. This isn't about distractions—it’s about presence.
Wipe off your lens. A simple act of clarity before you begin.
Move around the scene. Change angles. Go wide, go tight. Capture the essence of what’s in front of you.
At No Name Creek, I worked the scene in real time—stepping back for wide shots of the rushing water, zooming in on delicate icicles that would soon be gone.
I noticed the ruins of an old aqueduct—once essential, now crumbling. And then I saw something new—a tunnel carved through the mountain, replacing the old system, allowing clean water to flow effortlessly into town.
What a metaphor.
So often, we fixate on what’s falling apart. But if we take a step back, we might just see the new path being carved—the better, more efficient way God is making for us.
Step Three: Shine Your Light on Someone
This final step is what transforms mindful photography from a solo exercise into an act of connection.
Stay off social media. Instead of posting, send your photos directly to someone who could use encouragement.
Tell them what you saw. Describe how this practice helped shift your mindset.
Invite them to try it. Encourage them to step outside and work the scene themselves.
At the end of my shoot, I knew I had captured more than just images—I had captured a shift in perspective. So, I encourage you: send your favorite photo to someone today. Let it be a blessing, a reminder that there is beauty in the big picture.
8 Ways to Work the Scene
These techniques will help you fully engage with your surroundings and tell a richer story through your photos.
1. Shoot Horizontally
Be a photographer. Take your work seriously. Stop shooting photos vertically. You can always re-purpose and chop a vertical photo out of a horizontal, but you can’t make a horizontal out of a vertical. Just because the button is at the bottom of the screen doesn’t mean you should shoot photos vertically. God put your eyes side by side for a reason.
2. Shoot Wide
Switch to your widest lens and shoot the scene in front of you. Focus on layers.
3. Shoot Tight or Tiny
Find the small details—a shore break, an abstract sandcastle, a tiny crab.
4. Use Leading Lines
Look for natural or man-made lines that guide the viewer’s eye deeper into the scene.
5. WTF?
Shoot something so abstract it becomes a guessing game. Surprise yourself.
6. Find Patterns
Get close to textures and repetition. Capture the rhythm of nature.
7. Compose
Experiment with rule of thirds. Break rules. Get weird.
8. Shoot Weird
Frame the scene in unexpected ways. Play. Create. See differently.
How This Practice is My Operating Manual
Writing my book wasn’t just about sharing a technique—it was about documenting what actually works for me.
Shooting videos like this forces me to live what I teach. It gets me outside, working the scene, reminding myself that these practices work.
Every time I do this, I reconnect—with nature, with photography, with God.
So if you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or trapped in obsessive thinking, I encourage you: step outside. Work the scene. Expand your perspective.
This practice has been a lifeline for me, and I pray it becomes one for you too.
Watch the Video & Try It Yourself
This blog post is just the beginning. Watch the full video where I take you through this practice in real time. Then, grab your camera, go outside, and work the scene for yourself.
And if you do try it, send me a note. Let me know what you discovered.
Because what you think upon grows. Let’s think upon something beautiful.
