Grounding Into The Season
I just returned to Maui after a quick visit home to Vermont—a much-needed break that helped me reset. The last few summer months have felt like a blur, with work on a new client shoot on Lana’i and the busyness of life leaving little time to truly enjoy the season, despite the ocean being at my feet. It was my first mid-summer visit in eight years, and I was reminded that Vermont’s summers are about simple joys—thunderstorms, fireflies, grass-stained feet, and the taste of garden tomatoes. These moments made me realize the importance of pausing to reconnect with the season’s energy. This trip was a creative recharge and gave me permission to relax, ease the pressure on myself, and allow experiences to unfold naturally. My main message: sometimes, stepping away is necessary to ground ourselves, draw inspiration, and move forward with renewed clarity.
As we enter autumn, it’s essential to reflect on the past few months and acknowledge the growth, changes, or lessons we’ve experienced. Seasonal transitions are a time for drawing one chapter to a close and embracing another. With the fullness of summer behind us, we can draw on its open-hearted joy, carefree spirit, and vitality to reground ourselves. This period allows us to reap the seeds sown in past months—goals, dreams, new pursuits, or endeavors—and reminds us that we deserve to harvest what we’ve tended. Revisiting your rituals and what makes you feel nourished is a way to ground yourself and honor this harvest season. For me, it meant going home, spending precious time with family, being barefoot in the gardens, taking long walks, reading on the porch, and photographing only when I felt like it. Nature teaches us how to wind down from a busy summer with a chill in the air, brimming trugs of tomatoes, and shorter days. Now is the time to regroup and celebrate who we are today, just as nature expresses herself in her bounty, and reflect on our progress toward our goals. Some simple, slow rituals of reflection and celebration help me reground after a busy summer. Maybe some of these can support you now:
An afternoon pause
Before you think I’ve gone too Downton on you, hear me out! There is something comforting about a cup of tea—or coffee, or anything hot! It’s not about the tea, the cup, or where you drink it. Sometimes, late afternoons can feel dull and flat after a day spent on the computer. The simple ritual of making a hot cup helps me refresh and shake off stagnant energy. Boiling water, adding milk, and honey feels like a ritual. I do my best just to sit and enjoy it, not to rush off or keep working, but simply to be present. It helps me regroup with my feelings and reconnect with my inner world. It’s a ten-minute break that helps me check how I’m feeling and what tasks remain for the day. This can be a meditative and sacred moment. Maybe, for the first time in the day, you have a quiet moment to yourself. Simple rituals feel special when done with intention and care. If you have other rituals, this can also make for a lovely photo set.
Tidy & refresh
Another task that helps me stay focused on my work is tidying up and refreshing my desk. Put away wires, old receipts, hard drives, and any other clutter on your desk. Clear away anything distracting. Make it a space that you want to be in. Add touches that make it feel personal and inspiring. I know it sounds simple, but the energy we are surrounded by—and the energy we cultivate—profoundly impacts our mood, emotions, and productivity. I think more clearly and am more hopeful and focused when my workspace is inviting and tidy. I try to do this at least once a week (ideally!) Sometimes things get a bit crazy, and when my workspace is a mess, my mind feels scattered. I don’t produce my best work, nor am I in a positive headspace. As cooler temperatures draw in, now is the time to get our interior spaces tidy and organized.
End of summer reflection
Reflect on images you’ve taken this summer. Maybe you didn’t take any photos at all and checked out, or maybe you were overloaded with clients. Either way, take a moment to reflect on the summer season and year to date. It’s the harvest season. Take stock of what you’ve learned, what you would have done differently, how you are growing, or where you feel stuck. These mental and creative check-ins are valuable to our growth and evolution. They allow us to celebrate our progress and achievements, while also noting where we have more to learn. What are your favorite photos this year so far, and why? What situations did you struggle with? Where do you feel stuck or second-guessing yourself?
Seek texture, details, and seasonal shifts
The transition from summer to autumn is marked in nature by subtle shifts in color, tones, and light. Thicker knits and fuzzy blankets emerge from the closet, bringing warmth into the home. Seek out these textures and small details of this early autumnal period. I know it is still technically late summer, but even in Maui, I’ve brought out thicker quilts because the nights are quite cool. Cozy textures—such as a knitted sweater and warm autumnal tones—are beautiful subjects in their own right. They tell the story of the present. If you feel uninspired or lack subjects, turn to the signs of this season and photograph them in a minimalist way. Think of the textures of marled wool socks, a handful of brown nuts, or a steaming mug of coffee.
Capture color stories
This is a fun photo project for this time of year because everything is at its peak! Rich colors from the garden, the golden hues of the sunset, and the warming tones of autumnal baking are lovely inspirations for a color story. Pick one color of this season and capture it in several frames in a variety of subjects that tell the story of the color or season. I find this almost like a game because once I have a color in mind, I’m constantly looking around the house or outside for it and checking whether or not it fits my story. With the vibrancy of summer still clinging on, capture the transition from summer to autumn through a color story. The point of all these photography exercises isn’t just to get your creativity flowing; they help you ground yourself in the moment and improve your eye, as you will see ordinary things in a new light. They train you to see things others don’t in your unique way.
I hope these ideas help you ground and regroup creatively after summer. As we enter the quieter months ahead, I encourage you to honor the abundance of the season and turn inward. Do you have your own creative rituals or grounding practices for this time of year? Share them with me—I’d love to hear your experiences and see how you reflect on the season. Please do send me a note!