Why Do We Create?
This year, I was delighted to deliver my Photographing with Purpose three-part workshop for creative growth and transformation for members of the Digital Imaging Group within the RPS.
Winter can often be a lonely time. Long nights, grey skies, and empty pockets following the excesses of Christmas and New Year; we’re often left searching for something meaningful to carry us through the January blues.
When I first spoke with Melanie Chalk of the Digital Imaging group within the Royal Photographic Society to arrange a presentation and three-part online workshop one afternoon last summer, accompanied by Janice Payne who had kindly introduced my photography and philosophies around finding meaning through the lens and landscape to Melanie, it became clear to me that January would be the perfect time for a reflective mentoring workshop to get to the bottom of the all-important, soul-searching question: why do we create?
For almost eight years, I have been walking the long, dark path into the unknown, mysterious realms of nature and creativity in pursuit of purpose and meaning. I picked up the camera on the threshold of my masculinity, confused about what it meant to be a man after a childhood overshadowed by episodes of domestic abuse and violence. The camera quickly became not just a technical tool to document a time or place, but something far more profound: an instrument for healing, self-understanding, and the kind of personal growth that has since shaped every aspect of my life and my work as a creative mentor. I was delighted to have been granted an opportunity to extend this service when Melanie invited me to work with a group of fellow meaning-making photographers from across a multitude of different genres within the Digital Imaging group.
Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of working with 150+ photographers through various tuition and mentoring experiences, but this was a first-of-its-kind mentoring programme that I had recently developed. I was, as I usually am before anything new, slightly apprehensive about how the programme and I would be received by the attendees. I do, after all, have a particular ‘way’ about me, as I have been told by my partner, my family, and many clients over the years; a way of being that allows people to trust me enough to open up and share deeper-than-usual parts of themselves with me. It’s a position that I do not take lightly, and one that lends itself perfectly to the path I am walking as a mentor, but, my ways, I am told, can be daunting to people on the other end.
As is usually the case in my workshops, I was almost immediately reminded that there is never really anything to be apprehensive about. I sat down on a Zoom call during the peak of the January blues to open the Photographing with Purpose mentoring programme with a group of wonderfully enthusiastic and engaged attendees, who seemed to take to the programme, and me, thankfully, like ducks to the water.
After laying some strong and stable foundations during the first session by introducing myself, my ‘A Dance Between Thought & Being’ philosophy, the structure, some ground rules, and then gently inviting others to introduce themselves and share a bit about the work they create, I was left with a real buzz inside, and couldn’t wait to get the group back together again.
That buzz only became louder. Momentum quickly built within the safe confines of the container, and the creative energy flowed freely between us, sparking a fire that burned brighter throughout; a fire that was nurtured by all in attendance as we danced around it together. Over the course of the next two sessions, I sensed a real connection and unity forming within the group. We explored some vulnerable internal landscape territories together, identified individual and cohesive creative themes, and got closer to the bottom of that all-important and ever-evolving question: why do we create?
What struck me most was the willingness of each person to venture far beyond the surface. These were not your usual photography conversations about aperture settings or compositional rules. We journeyed deep into the realms of identity and belonging, exploring what drives us to create, and conversing about what our photographs might be trying to tell us if we slow down, find stillness, and create the space necessary to listen to the inner voice. The container held strong, and within it, something mystical and powerful unfolded; it fostered the kind of growth that is difficult to find in the traditional, and often logical and rational, world of photography.
One participant reflected on the experience with the following words:
“The emphasis on being present at a location and on feelings/emotions as we made work was transformational for me. Rather than a trip through someone’s catalogue or an exposition of technique, this was aimed at fundamentally changing the way I worked, and it succeeded. Brad is a very thoughtful and engaging presenter, and his gentle guidance and attention really brought out the best in me and my fellow participants.”
Although I was in the position of mentor, I also found myself being a student, learning a great deal from each of those in attendance. My own branches are reaching closer to the light as a result of leading this charge into the unconscious creative realms. What I witnessed, once again, is that when photographers are given a safe space, feel the trust, and are asked the right open, creative questions, a remarkable transformation happens not only to the work itself, but, more importantly, to the person behind the camera.
Melanie, the facilitator of the Digital Imaging group’s Zoom workshops, offered her own reflections after the programme concluded:
“The whole group responded with genuine curiosity and enthusiasm, which your approach encouraged beautifully. I found it so refreshing how you really listened to our contributions and skilfully wove them into your responses — you definitely have the knack! Your ability to make the discussion accessible to everyone, while ensuring each participant felt heard and valued, was outstanding. It’s been an absolute pleasure collaborating with you — thank you for such stimulating and well-led sessions.”
If this kind of reflective, meaning-making creative work resonates with you, I am now welcoming new cohorts to my Photographing with Purpose group mentoring programmes throughout the year. These growth-centred spaces are for photographers who sense something deeper waiting for them beyond the technical and logical. I would warmly welcome the opportunity to guide you on a transformative journey into the inner landscape. Click here to find out more.
Brad Carr is an internationally published fine art landscape photographer, Nature writer, and transformational creative mentor based in Mid Wales. His work has featured in On Landscape, Outdoor Photography, Nature Vision, Small Woods, and International Therapist, and exhibited in national galleries, reaching 20,000 people. He works with photographers of all abilities through private tuition, group workshops, long-term mentoring programmes and Photographing with Purpose mentoring circles at bradwcarr.com.
📸 Where to go next?
I’m here to help you on your creative journey, whether you’re just picking up a camera for the first time, looking to get out of ‘manual’ mode, or you’re preparing a portfolio for your first book project or major exhibition. See the links below and find your pathway to more meaningful landscape & nature photography:
FREE Educational Resources - Including an 18-page guide to light and the Five Pillars of Meaningful Landscape Photography™: A comprehensive 40-page PDF guide introducing my revolutionary philosophical framework to help you create self-expressive art instead of ‘capturing’ soulless photographs.
Photographing with Purpose Group Mentoring Circles - Develop your artistic vision, create meaningful portfolios, and unearth your creative voice through creative assignments, reflective writing, and supportive group coaching
Creative Development Portfolio Review - Book your in-depth portfolio review to gain clarity & direction and make more meaning in your photography.
1-1 Private Tuition & Mentoring - Master the fundamentals of photography or ‘learn to see again’ through private, in-field tuition. For those ready to pursue transformation through creative practice, I offer two long-term mentoring programmes. Schedule your FREE introductory call during which I’ll answer any questions you have and help you find your learning pathway.
Join a Group Photography Workshop - Learn to create beautiful photographs in a mindful, contemplative environment, surrounded by like-minded creative photographers.
Brad, I am in total alignment with your approach to the photographic process of presence, feeling and being. I am looking forward to meeting you at the end of the month at the RPS visual art weekend and workshop. John