Are You A Sensitive Soul?

Do you notice things others don’t? Have a yearning for peace and solitude? Are you creative, introspective, aware? If so, you may be a sensitive soul.

“I think photography, when practised mindfully, is the perfect companion for sensitive souls.” Kim Grant

When I found photography in my mid-teens, my life changed forever. I went from feeling lost, alone, and different to feeling connected and solaced. The camera enabled me to take the sights, sounds and smells from an overstimulating world, and focus inward, looking more at the things that brought joy, peace, and inspiration. No longer was I stuck in the pain and fear. I was open and free, and with that came immense relief.

If you’re a sensitive soul who has been fortunate to find photography, I suspect you may have had a similar experience. Perhaps you’ve never had words for it before. You simply knew that when you have a camera in your hands, something inside you softens. Your breath slows, and the world feels more manageable. This is not an accident - this is your nervous system responding to what brings you safety.

Photography gives us permission to be alone and to retreat when needed.

A couple of hours in nature with the camera is the perfect remedy for us. Nature soothes and heals as we recharge and explore the depths of our inner world. The noise of the external world quietens as we focus on what calls our attention. The physical act of framing an image and pressing the shutter button grounds us in the present as we discover a quieter world once more.

You don’t need a plan or a destination. You simply walk until something asks to be seen. You notice how your body feels before you lift the camera, and again once the image has been created. When we approach photography like this, it becomes less about capturing and more about listening.

Sensitive souls are often very imaginative.

We see the world through a different lens, often understanding the deeper undercurrent not easily accessed when we are busy doing. In the imagination, we dream. We visualise our images and our lives as we go, knowing there is something guiding the way if we only slow down enough to see it.

It may not be good to be in our imagination all the time, but sensitivity is not a flaw - it is a form of perception. When held with care and grounded in the body, imagination becomes a compass rather than an escape. It’s a magical place, made even more so when we are in a state of creation - something photography can help us tap into.

So if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the world and craving rest - trust it. Your body knows what it needs.

Sometimes simply lying down and observing the light, or watching the birds soar above as you breathe deeply and slowly, is enough to reset your nervous system. Then, if you feel called to connect more deeply or to freeze these moments of peace in time, may photography be the outlet you seek.

If you’re a sensitive soul, know that you are welcome here.

This is a space for slowness, for seeing gently and for honouring the quiet ways we move through the world. Whether you are simply browsing or seeking guidance, may my words and offerings meet you where you are, and remind you that your way of seeing is enough.

Beginning in March, I’ll be sharing a monthly newsletter focused on mindful photography. Each month, I’ll send a gentle guide and creative practices to support slow, intentional seeing. If this feels like something you’d enjoy, you can subscribe below.

Wishing you a blessed and creative day.

Kim x