Photovacation Bulgaria 2025: A seaside break to observe, feel, and create

Sometimes life offers us experiences that leave a mark not only in our memory, but also on our skin, in our breath, and in the way we look at the world. That was our experience at Photovacation Bulgaria 2025, a unique festival where photography, creativity, and community intertwined in a special space by the Black Sea.

We were invited to share our Photography and Mindfulness Workshop, and what we experienced during those days transformed us just as much as it did the participants. Because beyond facilitating a workshop, we felt part of an open, curious, and generous community, where every encounter was a source of inspiration.

Photovacation has something of a ritual about it. Simply arriving in that place, with the sea horizon always in view, invites a sense of calm. The sea and the wind feel like silent masters of the present moment.

The days of the festival unfolded in the sea breeze, with open-air talks, delicious meals, and inspiring conversations. The landscape wasn’t just a backdrop — it was an active part of the experience. Photographing in that setting was impossible without being moved by the power of the water, the wind, the forest, and the light.

The festival brought together artists and image lovers from different places. Each presentation was a reminder of the diversity of perspectives, the immense creativity of the human spirit, and the power of the image as a transformative tool. We listened to established voices who shared their experience and working philosophy, but we also discovered new talents who amazed us with fresh, courageous, and deeply authentic proposals.

We want to express our heartfelt thanks to Tatiana for her translation and companionship; to Emanuil Treyman, the heart of this festival, for his warmth and trust, and for sustaining such a human and transformative project. Our gratitude also goes to everyone who joined us on this journey, both inside and outside the workshop, for the unexpected encounters, the shared laughter, and that feeling of home away from home.

The Workshop: Photography and Mindfulness

Our workshop, divided into three sessions, was an invitation to pause, to feel, and to create from what truly matters. In a fast-paced world, offering a space to slow down by the sea was a gift—for us and for the group.

On the first day, during Pause 1: Stopping to See, we explored the power of the pause. We often live caught up in thoughts about the past or anticipations of the future, and we forget that life is happening here and now.

“Breathing is like a lake. When it’s stirred up, we can’t see the bottom—but when it calms, clarity emerges. Our mind is the same: only when it becomes still can we truly see.”

We invited the group to observe without rushing, to photograph without judgment. The simple act of looking with care reveals a universe of details that usually go unnoticed.

On the second day, during Pause 2: Feeling and Observing, we focused on the relationship between body, emotion, and perception. We tuned into the sensations present and explored how they shape the way we see. The resulting photographs became emotional mirrors—images filled with softness, strength, delicacy, or intensity, depending on the emotion each person carried within. The camera not only captures the outer world, but also reflects our inner world.

In Pause 3: Creating from What Matters, the final session, we invited participants to create a small mindful photo series. Each person designed a mini project, ranging from sequences of three images to brief visual diaries. The most moving part was seeing how the insights from the previous pauses came together: the photos weren’t just beautiful—they were authentic, personal, and full of meaning.

Twelve people took part in the workshop. Twelve unique perspectives that came together in the practice of pausing, feeling, and creating. From the very first day, they showed up with generosity—engaging in the exercises, sharing reflections, and daring to look within through photography. The magic of the group lay in its diversity: different ages, backgrounds, and ways of seeing, all united by a shared willingness to be present, to let go of expectations, and to discover together the richness of mindful looking.

On the final day, the projects were shared in the festival’s auditorium—visual and written haikus, intimate photo diaries, series inspired by connection with nature, and sequences reflecting emotions like calm, nostalgia, or joy. Some images explored the beauty of the natural world. Others ventured into abstraction, capturing light and movement as metaphors for flow. Each project was a reminder that contemplative photography is not about technical perfection, but about authenticity and connection.

We return from Bulgaria filled with gratitude for everyone who joined us on this journey—for the encounters, the conversations, the smiles, and the gazes that broadened our own.

We return with the certainty that mindful photography is not just a practice, but a way of life. And with the desire to keep sharing this path—wherever the image becomes a bridge to presence and connection.

Here we share some of the images from the workshop.

And the projects created.

If you feel this experience resonates with you and you’d like to explore how photography can help you live with more calm, awareness, and authenticity, we invite you to discover our upcoming workshops and offerings at ANDANA.