Slow Spotlight: Nicola of My Little Photo Diary on Mindfulness, Photography & Living Slowly
So many people have inspired me on my own journey towards living a slower, simpler and more seasonal life, and I’d love you to be inspired too. The Slow Spotlights series shares with you some of their journeys, and I hope that by reading about these, you too may be inspired and encouraged.
What does living slowly, simply and seasonally mean to you?
In this Slow Spotlight, I’m delighted to share the story of Nicola, the photographer and writer behind My Little Photo Diary. Nicola’s journey weaves together mindfulness, creativity, and the practice of living slowly, simply, and seasonally. Through her photography and reflections, she shows how pausing to notice the beauty in everyday moments can bring calm, clarity, and connection. Her approach offers a gentle reminder that slow living isn’t about doing less, but about living more intentionally, in rhythm with nature and with ourselves.
I’m a professional portrait photographer, and have been running my own business for around 10 years photographing families, children and professionals. I love every part of my job, photography is something that has always been close to my heart. Five years ago, during lockdown, I accidentally discovered mindfulness with photography for the first time. Life had suddenly become very quiet, and at the same time, very loud inside my head. I was overwhelmed, like so many of us were, and searching for something to anchor me. That’s when I discovered mindfulness - connecting back to nature at a time when we were confined to our homes for most of the day. It seemed too simple to make a difference - but slowly, it did.
Over time, mindfulness gently reshaped the way I live, work, create, and connect. It’s helped me find beauty in the present moment, even when things feel uncertain. It’s drawn me closer to nature, to my intuition, and to a more soulful way of being. Over the past five years, mindfulness has gently transformed how I live. What began as a way to soothe my busy mind, has become a deep-rooted lifestyle - one that values slowness, simplicity, and the natural rhythm of the seasons. Living this way brings me back to what matters: presence, connection, and creativity.
I began My Little Photo Diary on Instagram as an online diary - a diary that explores my own journey with mindfulness and photography. It's a space for reflection, and to share the beauty of the every day with others. My hope is that my posts inspire others to try their own mindfulness and photography practice, connecting back to self, others and the land.
What does living slowly, simply, and seasonally mean to you
It means being awake to the world around me. It’s pausing to notice the first buds of spring or the soft shift in light that signals autumn. It’s choosing to do one thing at a time. It’s understanding that life, like nature, has cycles - and that growth doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful. Practicing mindfulness with photography has brought calm, clarity, and a sense of belonging to my life. I feel more grounded and less reactive. I notice beauty in ordinary moments, and I trust my intuition more deeply - whether I’m growing plants on my allotment, pulling a tarot card, or deciding what to create next. My photographs are a natural extension of this way of seeing; they’re quiet moments captured with care and intention, inviting others to slow down too.
Are there elements of living in this way which challenge you?
Life will always bring its challenges. We live in a world that values speed, productivity, and constant doing. Choosing to live slowly can feel like swimming against the tide. Sometimes I still feel pressure to rush or compare myself to others - but mindfulness always brings me back. It reminds me I don’t have to chase what’s not meant for me. It teaches me to accept the good and not so good moments. A question I always ask - if we were happy all the time, would happiness lose its meaning.
Mindfulness isn’t just about peace and prettiness. Mindfulness has taught me how to be with all of life - the joyful, the uncertain, and the difficult. It’s helped me sit with uncomfortable emotions, move through stress with more awareness, and soften my inner critic when things don’t go to plan. It’s a practice of presence, not perfection, and that’s what makes it so powerful. I’ve been inspired by so many gentle voices - people who live close to the earth, who create from the heart, who value depth over noise. Friends, artists, writers, and quiet walkers of the world. They remind me that we don’t have to live loudly to live fully.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to others looking to embrace a slower, simpler and more seasonal approach to life?
Mindfulness is simply having an awareness of the present moment. It's a journey to self discovery and learning to pay attention without judgment. Start with a simple meditation - go outside and take photographs of all the things you notice using your senses. What do you see? What can you hear? You don’t have to change your whole life overnight. Try noticing one thing each day that you’d normally rush past. Let yourself be curious. The seasons will teach you more than any self-help book if you let them. Think of mindfulness like a gym for the mind. With consistent practice, the stronger it gets.
Are there elements of living in this way that challenge others?
It might. Slow living is often misunderstood - it’s not about doing nothing or living a picture-perfect rural life. It’s about making conscious choices, even in small moments. I hope my way of living gently challenges the idea of more being better.
What can we learn from those who came before us?
To live more in tune with the earth and less in a rush. To make with our hands, to grow and gather, to share what we have. To listen - to the land, to each other, and to ourselves.
How do I see my slower life evolving?
The next step in the journey of My Little Photo Diary is starting to learn about the healing and magical qualities of herbs and flowers. I want to explore plant folklore, herbal medicine, and seasonal rituals more deeply, not just for myself, but to share with others. I imagine a life rooted in both beauty and purpose, where I can keep creating, growing, and connecting with others who value this way of being. This year I’m putting plans in place to hopefully run my own mindfulness and photography sessions. This is something that, if all goes to plan, will be launched in 2026. I've recently started selling my photographs on Etsy, and am continuing to write on Substack.
You can find out more about Nicola and her approach to life over on her Substack publication, My Little Photo Diary, and you can also follow her on Instagram. Her photographs are available to purchase in her Etsy store here.
All images © Nicola, My Little Photo Diary.
Inspired by Nicola’s story? Discover more creative people living slow, simple and seasonal lives in our Slow Spotlights series. You can also join our community, Rediscover · Reconnect · Re-Emerge for weekly reflections.
