Becky Demmen-Sewell is the photographer behind Time To Be Photography. Ahead of a mindful photography workshop in South Norfolk, Becky explains why capturing meaningful photos is always the focus
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Becky, and I run Time To Be Photography. Time To Be mindfully captures meaningful and beautiful photos that tell your story and helps you to do the same. I am a photographer who works with (mostly) small businesses rooted in their communities. Over the years, I’ve captured art projects, businesses, events and workshops, from long-term multi-year endeavours to one-time shindigs. I am also a creative facilitator, developing workshops, events, and experiences that delve into writing, photography, and expression, promoting mindful observation and slow creativity
When did your love of photography begin?
I can’t really remember a time when I didn’t love photography. We used to go on camping holidays when I was a kid, and I had this large plastic-y camera designed for children and I absolutely loved it and can still remember how heavy it was when I carried it everywhere. I think I became more aware of my love of photography after university when I returned to Norfolk and started my post-studies life. I noticed that as I was going about my life I had something within me that when I saw a certain view, or detail, I just felt I needed to take a photo of it. I pause all the time to take photos and sometimes I don’t really know why that thing needs a photo at the time, and it feels sad when I can’t stop to do so. I think it’s just become how I interact with the world. Since becoming more aware of it, I have begun actively seeking out that feeling more and refining my enjoyment and exploration of photography both in my creative work and in my work with businesses, nonprofits and arts projects.
Are you Norfolk born and raised? What do you love about working in the county?
I am! I grew up in a village in North Norfolk and loved it. I boomeranged back after university and always thought I would move out of the county again once I was ready, but it just never happened because, I realised, I love it here. Working here as a photographer is a bit of a dream. We have a beautiful range of landscapes and towns to photograph, and all the businesses I work with are so embedded in them. I love working with small businesses to tell their story, and there is no shortage of interesting people and places to explore. We also have so many vibrant communities and pockets of small businesses, so even as a sole-trader I feel so supported and surrounded by other businesses who all seem so open to collaborating and helping each other out. Two of these communities I’d love to mention if I can are: Feel Good Norfolk and the meetups by Coastal Media. They have both been brilliant for me, especially when I returned from maternity leave last year and felt quite alone starting everything again from scratch.
What led you to starting Time To Be Photography? What were you doing before?
I worked in the creative and charity sectors for eight years supporting the planning, delivery and documentation of arts projects. I absolutely loved that work (and still do bits of it!) but I was craving something new, something that could work better around my new life with a little one and suited the person I was becoming. I came back from maternity leave in June 2024 after having my beautiful daughter, with an open mind about what I was going to do and thoroughly enjoyed exploring what I want my work to look like now my priorities had shifted. I knew I wanted to use and combine my skills as a photographer and facilitator with my training as a counsellor and coach in new ways that felt exciting. Time to Be Photography developed super organically as I got out and about, met people and saw where the demand for my skills was. I started taking photos for businesses and absolutely loved it, and I haven’t looked back since! Since then, I have led workshops to help teach businesses how to take photos themselves, and I am now starting to deliver mindful photography workshops too, so I can finally feel all those different parts of myself working together. It’s happened slowly and it’s been so fun seeing how things keep changing.
What has led you to starting the ‘mindfulness photography workshops’? How does photography help with wellbeing do you think?
As above I was looking to learn how to bring together my different skills. I heard about the ‘Working with Mindful photography’ training by Look Again and thought it would be the perfect first step to doing this – And it was! It was so inspiring, and I think it gave names to what I had been doing all my life, and I have been looking to use this knowledge ever since. I think there is something different about the way I notice my surroundings and follow my curiosity when I have a camera in my hand. It forces me to slow down and really look. I notice that the more frequently I take my camera out for a walk or take photos when something catches my eye around my house, the more often I notice the small details or the way the light bounces around the room, just things I wouldn’t normally take the time to really look at. I think maybe it’s something around the more you try to capture something interesting or beautiful, the more interesting and beautiful everything becomes. I remember using a disposable camera back when I was a kid (and I didn’t have a phone camera with me) and every ‘click’ felt precious and important. I would wait until something really ‘called’ to me and I got the feeling I described earlier. I think mindful photography replicates the kind of noticing, searching and excitement I felt then. With my phone camera or DSLR camera I can get a bit snap happy which isn’t a bad thing at all, but it can sometimes feel like it lacks intention. The mindful photography practices I have learnt and honed really invite me to slow down and become more intentional with what I capture. Like any mindful practice, whether it is meditation, yoga or simply taking a walk, the more you practice it, the easier it becomes to access those feelings of calm, slowness and intentionality more often.
How can people find out more about what you do – and the workshops?
I have an Instagram and a website and they are the best ways to keep up to date with everything I am doing and the services I offer (you can also get the booking link for my first mindful photography workshop happening on the 13th September).
What are your hopes and dreams for your business?
Beyond new offers, more workshops and exciting projects, I’d love for the core of Time To Be Photography to be all about telling and sharing stories. The thread of ‘stories’ weaves through everything I do, whether that is telling the story of a business, helping them to take images themselves, or wellbeing workshops and one-to-one photo sessions where we all work together to tell the story of that moment in time. I just want to create spaces where folks feel excited and safe to explore. I don’t know where this thread leads and what it looks like (though I have lots of ideas!) but I’m really excited to keep following it and see where it goes.
The Mindful Photography Workshop takes place on Saturday 13th September, 2pm-4pm, at Topcroft, NR35 2BP. Informed by the Look Again Mindful Photography framework, this session invites you to pause, notice your surroundings and capture your curiosity. No prior experience with photography is needed. Please just bring a camera, or your phone, a beginner’s mind and your curiosity. Taking place at a beautiful site in Topcroft all thanks to @amyshawcrossnature. Please note that tickets are non-refundable. Visit Events — Time To Be.
Featured images – supplied
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