About us
Focus on Nature is a Guelph-based, non-profit photography program created in 2008 to nurture creativity and inspire young people to explore and appreciate nature. Our photography workshops are delivered by professionally trained volunteers at schools, outdoor centres, and special events, providing hands-on learning activities, walking photography field trips, and editing and feedback sessions. Nature activities [...]
The Big Picture: Children and nature
Development of Focus on Nature was inspired in part by Richard Louv’s 2005 book “Last Child in the Woods” and numerous research findings about the long-term consequences of a growing disconnect between young people and their natural surroundings. As human beings, we need nature. Nature experience is essential to our physical, mental and emotional health. [...]
Photography: The Art of Seeing
Photography has been called “the art of seeing” (Freeman Patterson) and as such it can be a powerful tool for cultivating our observational skills, enticing us to slow down and pay attention to the details we might normally pass by. Photographer Chris Orwig put it beautifully when he wrote: “Learning to see is about approaching [...]
What people are saying
“I think it’s really good to take pictures of nature because it gives away all your bad feelings.” – Grade 6 student at St. Mary’s, Elora • “I liked seeing the world differently and finding things that may not look like anything until you look at them through the camera.” – Grade 8 Waverley Road PS Student • “I don’t know why but the camera just makes nature more exciting!”- Grade 6 Waverley Road PS student • “The kids were given the opportunity to be self expressive, connect with nature and feel passionate about their world.” – Bob Crosby, Willow Road PS • “Students loved the hands-on component of capturing the world around them through photography, and they also loved the analytical part of critiquing their own and their peers’ photographs.” – Sara Furnival, grade 6 teacher Read More
Latest Posts
Video celebrating Focus on Nature’s volunteers!
Check out this new film created by Angus McLellan to celebrate our incredible volunteers, as part of the Guelph-Wellington Volunteer Centre’s A Time to Give project: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA0qjz0KBhw Read More
New images by grade 8s celebrate nature!
Creativity and nature seem to go together, and studies show that spending time outside in natural areas truly has the effect of boosting our creative capacities! To see the results, check out the newest pics from participants in a Focus on Nature workshop: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150691449362029.396476.360707007028&type=1&l=1249f57a1f Read More
New partners for Focus on Nature’s school program!
Focus on Nature is very excited to be in working in partnership with the following local businesses: TD Canada Trust, Arrow Neighbourhood Group, rlb Accountants and Business Advisors, and Norfolk Family Medical. Thanks to them, with matching investment from artsVest, under the trusteeship of Guelph Arts Council, we are able to subsidize our school programming, connecting more young people with nature through photography! Read More
