An Autumn Day of Mindful Photography & Bookbinding
Be guided through a day of mindful photography & the meditative process of Japanese Stab Binding, taking the handcrafted keepsake away.
An Invitation to Pause: Autumn, Stillness and the Art of Making.
Take a breath. Feel your body grounded, and let your gaze wander.
Join Paul Sanders of Discover Still for a unique, one-day immersive retreat within the sub-tropical soul of Trebah. This experience is a bridge between the wild, architectural beauty of the gardens and the quiet, grounding joy of creating a handmade book from the photographs you will make
There is a quiet magic that occurs in September. It is a time when the frantic energy of summer has faded, and the earth begins its gentle, necessary exhale. Here in Cornwall, as the air grows crisp, Trebah Garden undergoes a breathtaking transformation. Widely cherished as a sub-tropical paradise with a stunning coastal backdrop, this twenty-six acre valley garden offers a deeply immersive experience as the seasons shift. The dramatic canopies of exotic blooms give way to a rich tapestry of amber, rust, and gold. In Hydrangea Valley, late blooms cast clouds of china blue and soft white across Mallard Pond, while the spectacular champion trees begin to dominate the landscape.
Nature does not rush its transition; it transitions softly, inviting us to do the same.
On this special one-day workshop, Paul invite’s you to step away from the hum of daily life, silence your phone, and join him along the sheltered footpaths of Trebah to explore this magical valley through a mindful lens. Together, you will wander from the high canopies down to the secluded beach on the Helford River, noticing how the flora and fauna move with a slower, more deliberate purpose.
We live in a world where we have become slaves to screens and timelines, constantly chasing the next thing. Mindful photography invites us to break free. It whispers, “Stop. Look. Feel.” It is a space free of judgment, open to photographers of all abilities, whether you carry a camera bag full of specialized gear or simply an iPhone in your pocket. This day is not about technical perfection or rules; it is about your personal connection to the world around you. You will slow your pace to match the rhythm of the valley, learning to notice the poetry in a falling leaf, the texture of damp bark, and the quiet beauty of the unexpected.
When you combine this deliberate slowing down with a creative outlet, something wonderful happens to our well-being. We move out of our heads and into our hearts, receiving the landscape rather than simply passing through it.
But for Paul, photography is not truly finished until you do something with your images. It is so easy to gather moments and leave our memories semi-forgotten on a hard drive or a digital screen. There is an undeniably soothing, grounding joy in creating something tactile with your hands.
So, in the afternoon, you will gather together to bring your morning’s observations to life. Moving from the garden paths to the making table, Paul will guide you through the beautiful, rhythmic craft of creating a traditional Japanese stab-bound book. Using paper, thread, and your own printed images gathered from the morning together, you will mindfully bind your own unique story of the day.
You will leave Trebah not just with a mind full of stillness, but with a beautiful, handmade book to take home, a tangible anchor to the peace, stillness, and creative expression you discovered here.
Come and exhale with me. Discover a fresh way of seeing, and allow yourself the time to simply be.
About Paul Sanders:
English fine art photographer Paul Sanders has been involved in professional photography for over 35 years, first as a black and white printer, then as a fashion photographer.
An opening at a local weekly newspaper for a trainee photographer led to a career in newspaper photography, working at The Manchester Evening News, Reuters, and then The Times newspaper as Picture Editor, overseeing the entire visual content of the prestigious publication.
Paul’s approach to photography is one of mindful connection. After looking at nearly 20,000 images every day during his years at the Times, his own work is made in response to his emotional and spiritual reactions to the subjects he works with and reflect the sense of stillness and calm he feels whilst on with them
Moving from the south east to Cornwall and into a studio space at Krowji near Redruth has given Paul the space and peace that is reflected in his recent work..
Paul’s, beautiful, highly reflective work has been exhibited widely across the UK, Europe & Japan, his first book ‘Still: A Mindful Practice for Photographers’ is available from multiple platforms.
Please read this important information about events at Trebah:
Location: Please enter via the Visitor Centre. You will be directed where to go from there. The event is being held in Trebah House.
Refreshment availability: Trebah Kitchen will be open. Or please bring your own lunch. Herbal tea is included in the workshop.
Garden entry: Included during the workshop.
When to arrive: Please arrive for 9.30am, which is when the visitor centre opens.
Dogs: Assistance dogs only please.
Recommended for over 16 years.
