Art + Wellness , Photography

Child’s Play: Reclaiming Curiosity Through Photography

  • Schedule Thursdays, 10 - 11:30 AM
  • Start Date August 13, 2026
  • End Date September 3, 2026
  • Location Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness
  • Studio Generations Ctr. Conference Room - 602
  • Level Beginner
  • Suitable for Ages 18 - Adult
  • # of Meetings 4

This four-week course invites photographers of all levels to rediscover the spirit of child’s play through the camera. As children, we moved through the world with curiosity, spontaneity, and a natural delight in what we saw. We didn’t worry about getting it “right.” We simply looked, explored, and responded. Over time, that openness can give way to habit, judgment, and the pressure to produce something worthy. This course offers a return—to a way of seeing that is light, curious, and alive.
There is also a quiet science behind this shift. As we age, our vision becomes more efficient but less exploratory. The brain begins to filter what we see, prioritizing the familiar and tuning out what it assumes is unimportant. We quite literally stop noticing as much. Through playful, guided exercises and photographic explorations, we will gently interrupt these patterns—inviting the eyes to wander again, to be surprised, to take interest in color, shape, and moment without needing a reason.
Open to beginners and experienced photographers alike, this course welcomes any camera, including smartphones. What matters most is a willingness to experiment, to let go of expectations, and to approach photography with a sense of play. In doing so, we not only rekindle a more joyful way of seeing, but often find that our images become more fresh, spontaneous, and alive.

Instructor

Timothy Auman

Timothy Auman

I am an ordained lay Buddhist, certified mindfulness teacher, and former university chaplain dedicated to the application of Taoist and Zen thought to the issues of everyday life. As a visual artist, my approach to photography focuses on learning (or… Read more