The Power of 10 Minutes: A Simple Photography Exercise for Gratitude and Presence
One of my 10 minutes of wonder: light, movement, and quiet presence.
A while back, I found myself shifting my photography toward something more authentic — listening less to what others expected and more to my own inner voice. I kept coming back to the same thought: I am shooting for myself.
Out of that shift grew a simple idea for the Develop with Light Facebook group: a challenge I called "10 Minutes of Wonder." I wanted to offer something light, doable, and meaningful. Ten minutes seemed like just enough time to pause, notice, and create — something anyone could fit into a busy day.
What I didn't expect was how deeply this practice would affect not only the group, but also me.
A Gratitude Practice in Disguise
At first, I thought of it as just a photographic exercise. But as I began participating myself, I realized that these ten minutes were also a gratitude practice. By looking more closely at my surroundings, I started noticing beauty in places I had walked past a thousand times: a weed swaying in the wind, shadows dancing across the sidewalk, branches forming a pattern against the sky.
The act of noticing changed how I felt. The challenge became less about "getting the shot" and more about tuning into the present moment. Even on days when I felt grumpy or unmotivated, those ten minutes with my camera shifted my mood toward joy and contentment.
The Magic of Focus and Time
Limiting myself to such a short span of time made me hyper-focused. In those ten minutes, I became deeply attuned to my environment, seeing details with fresh eyes. It was almost as if the clock slowed down — those minutes expanded into something that felt longer, richer, more meaningful.
It didn't matter whether I used my camera or just my phone. Both became a way to experience wonder. And I noticed that light itself became a companion: the soft glow of morning, the brilliance of midday, the fading colors of evening. Each moment had its own kind of beauty.
Joy in the Everyday
This practice blurred the line between seeing and feeling. I often wondered: did I pick up my camera because I felt joy, or did I feel joy because I picked up my camera? Maybe both. Either way, the result was the same — happiness through presence.
Photography and self-awareness feed one another. Paying attention to my environment helped me feel more grounded and grateful. Paying attention to my inner world helped me see more beauty outside. They go hand in hand.
Your Turn: Discover Your 10 Minutes of Wonder
This practice has been a gift — a way to reconnect with creativity, presence, and gratitude. And I'd love for it to be a gift to you too.
Here's my invitation:
Set a timer for ten minutes.
Step outside (or stay indoors if that feels right) with your camera or phone.
Notice the light, the patterns, the small details.
Let go of expectations, and see what draws your eye.
If you'd like to share your images, join me in the Develop with Light Facebook group or post on Instagram using the hashtag #dwl_10mofw. Let's see what happens when we carve out ten minutes of presence together.
What did you discover? I'd love to see your images — share them in the comments or in the group.
This kind of practice — slowing down, seeing differently, staying curious — is exactly what the Develop with Light Circle is built around. It's a monthly community for photographers who want to keep going. If that sounds like your kind of place, join the waitlist here.