Prompts Library

Prompts modeled after the “Noticing” component of the Phlourish program.

“When every day seems the same, it is because we have stopped noticing the good things that appear in our lives.” – Paulo Coelho

Take the Photo

Take the time to mindfully take one photograph each day of something that makes you happy for a week. Reflect on why you took this particular photo – why does it make you happy? Use this first series as an opportunity to become more mindful of your photographic impulses (aka what is your default way of photographing?) 

Lens and Focus

Use a wide-angle lens, then a “normal” lens, and then a macro lens. Notice the different perspectives. Notice what you pay attention to in the three distinct images. Where is your focus?

Up Close and Personal

Put your phone in portrait mode. Then, take a series of up-close photos of something you might not ordinarily notice such as tree bark or the intricacies of a spider web.

Industrial Abstraction

Take an industrial photo – something that looks ordinary but can be made interesting when taken from a different angle.

Seeing Through

Take a photo through sunshine/snow/rain/fog…

Understanding Light

Usually a photographer likes to have the light source at 95 degrees to have side light – try taking a photo with the sun behind your subject to get a backlit photo or a shadow portrait.

Adjust your view:

• Sit down low and take your photo from the ground level.
• Point your camera up.
• Point your camera behind you – rear mirrors are awesome.
• Climb up high and take a photo from a higher elevation.
• Point your camera down

In Search of Awe

Take a good look at the photos you have shot. Sometimes the beauty we have seen can be awe inspiring. Do you have a photo that captures something awesome?

Beauty Expedition

Take the time to stop and look for beauty in the world. Snap a photo of whatever you see as beautiful. Don’t overthink it. Be intuitive.

Goodness Expedition

Take the time to stop and look for goodness in the world. Snap a photo of whatever you see as good. Don’t overthink it. Be intuitive.

Kindness + Gratitude Expedition

Take the time to stop and look for kindness in the world. Snap a photo of whatever you feel grateful for. Don’t overthink it. Be intuitive.

Humor Expedition

Take the time to stop and look for humor in the world. Snap a photo of whatever you see as funny. Don’t overthink it. Be intuitive.

Capture the colors of nature

Explore your surroundings and capture vibrant and beautiful colors found in flowers, sunsets, landscapes, etc. This prompt helps to appreciate the natural beauty around us.

Unexpected beauty

Find beauty in unexpected places or objects. This could be a unique architectural detail, a reflection in a puddle, or even a simple arrangement of everyday objects. This prompt helps to train the eye to notice beauty in the ordinary.

Moments of joy

Capture moments that bring you joy or make you smile. This could be a candid shot of a loved one, a playful pet, or a scene that evokes happiness. This prompt helps to focus on the positive aspects of life.

Textures and patterns

Notice and capture interesting textures and patterns in your surroundings. This could be the bark of a tree, the intricate details of a flower petal, or the repetitive lines of a building. This prompt helps to appreciate the intricacies and diversity of the world.

Silhouettes and Shadows 

Experiment with capturing silhouettes and shadows. This could be a person against a sunset, the shadow of a tree on a wall, or any other creative use of light and shadow. This prompt helps to notice the play of light and dark in our environment.

Reflections 

Capture interesting reflections in windows, mirrors, or bodies of water. This could be a reflection of a cityscape, a distorted self-portrait, or a reflection that creates a unique composition. This prompt helps to see the world from a different perspective.

Macro Magic

Explore the world up close by capturing macro shots of small objects or details. This could be the intricate details of a flower, the texture of a leaf, or the patterns on an insect. This prompt helps to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the small things.

Golden Hour

Capture the magical light during the golden hour, which occurs shortly after sunrise or before sunset. This prompt helps to appreciate the warm and soft light that enhances the beauty of landscapes, portraits, and everyday scenes.

Candid Moments

Capture candid moments of people or animals in their natural element. This could be a child playing, a street performer, or a bird in flight. This prompt helps to appreciate the beauty of genuine and unposed moments.

Finding Beauty in Simplicity

Find beauty in simplicity by capturing minimalist compositions or scenes. This could be a single flower against a plain background, a clean architectural line, or a serene landscape. This prompt helps to appreciate the elegance and tranquility of simplicity.

Prompts modeled after the “Creating” component of the Phlourish program.

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it” – Ansel Adams

Dive into the Present

Take three photos right now. These photos can be anything that catches your eye and or heart. The idea is to orient you to your present surroundings.

Offline but Connected

Go outside and turn off the notifications on your phone. Be present. Pay attention to your surroundings and take a walk. Take three photos of anything that makes you happy – they can be of something you think embodies beauty, hope, humor, love, connection, gratitude, or simply something that inexplicably makes you happy.

In Transit

On your commute or when you are riding transportation, again turn off your notifications and pay attention, snap three photos as above – anything that makes you happy.

Dive Deeper

Choose three photos from “CREATING” and using the Pro-Tips (next page) edit them to your satisfaction. Create the photo you want. Have fun, be brave, there is no-one judging you.

Can you See the Music?

Photograph the title of a song that means something to you – free association – add some words to let the viewer glimpse your mood.

Paper Perfection

Take a piece of paper and take 8 photos examining shape and light.

Start Anew

Explore the photo taking apps and choose an app to take three more photos. Edit those. What did you create?

Water Wonder

Photograph into water for reflections – a puddle will do.

Make the Ordinary Extraordinary

Take a photo of something very ordinary and then photograph it showing it in a completely different way – a glass of water then the water through the glass, add light.

Intentional Blur 

Move your camera as you photograph – up or down, sideways

Color Quest

Photograph just one color everywhere you see it – add a color….use contrasting colors.

Change of Vision

Explore in camera tools how your photos change when you go from photographing color to B&W.

Abstract art

Experiment with capturing abstract and artistic compositions. This could involve playing with shapes, colors, and textures to create visually intriguing images.

Double Exposure

Explore the double exposure feature on your editing apps (Snapseed recommended) to create unique and imaginative compositions by overlaying two or more images.

Forced Perspective

Play with perspective and create optical illusions by positioning objects or people in a way that distorts their size or relationship to the surroundings.

Light painting

Experiment with long exposure photography and light painting techniques. This involves using various light sources to create trails, patterns, or shapes in a dark environment.

Minimalism Challenge

Challenge yourself to capture minimalist compositions with a limited number of elements. This prompt encourages creative thinking and finding unique ways to convey a message or tell a story with simplicity.

Unusual Angles

Explore different angles and perspectives when capturing subjects. This could involve shooting from a low or high angle, tilting the camera, or finding unique vantage points to create visually interesting and unexpected images.

Color exploration

Focus on a specific color or color palette and capture images that highlight and explore its various shades, tones, and combinations. This prompt encourages creative use of color in photography.

Reflections and mirrors

Experiment with reflections and mirrors to create intriguing and surreal compositions. This could involve capturing reflections in water, mirrors, or other reflective surfaces to add depth and interest to their images.

Motion Blur

Experiment with capturing motion blur by intentionally moving the camera or photographing moving subjects. This prompt allows for creative and dynamic images that convey a sense of movement and energy.

Experimental Editing

Explore different editing techniques and apps to transform your images into unique and artistic creations. This could involve using filters, overlays, textures, or other editing tools to add a creative touch to their photographs. We recommend Mextures photo editing app.

Prompts modeled after the “Connections” component of the Phlourish program.

“The only way to have a friend is to be one” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Candid Observations

Go out to a busy area and find a place to sit. Patiently observe and capture candid photos of the people around you.

Meet Someone New

Take 10 photos of a stranger. Shoot some from a distance, then be brave, introduce yourself, and ask permission to photograph the stranger up close. Use your camera’s portrait or wide angle lens, or an additional wide angled lens. Each of these lenses will force you to get closer to your subject and interact with them.

Friend to Friend

Take 5 photos of a friend displaying different emotions. Use your portrait lens and ask them to show you joy, sorrow, anger, curiosity, humor or any emotions you would like to see. Then swap places and ask your friend to take 5 photos of you displaying those emotions. Explore how to best communicate the emotion. Ask your friend to share with you their favorite photo and why.

Photo Date

Invite someone to join you for a photo date. The only requirement is that you each use your camera or phone to document the experience. At the end of your date, share your photos with each other. How are your photos different? Talk about why these differences might have occurred. Why did you document this date in different ways?

Portraits of Strangers

Aapproach strangers and ask to take their portrait. This prompt helps to foster connections by breaking down barriers and capturing the unique stories and personalities of individuals.

Shared Experiences

Capture moments of shared experiences, such as a group of friends laughing, people enjoying a concert, or a family gathering. This prompt highlights the power of connection and the joy that comes from shared moments.

Cultural Diversity

Explore and capture the cultural diversity in your communities. This could involve attending cultural events, visiting different neighborhoods, or documenting traditions and celebrations. This prompt promotes connection by celebrating and appreciating different cultures.

Generations Together

Capture images that showcase the connection between different generations. This could be a grandparent playing with their grandchild, a family gathering, or an intergenerational community event. This prompt highlights the importance of intergenerational connections and fosters a sense of unity.

Acts of Kindness

Capture moments of kindness and compassion in your communities. This could be a volunteer helping others, a random act of kindness, or a heartwarming interaction. This prompt reminds us of the power of connection and the impact of small acts of kindness.

Community Stories

Document the stories and experiences of people in your community. This could involve interviewing and photographing individuals who have unique stories to share. This prompt promotes connection by giving a voice to those who may not always be heard.

Nature’s Interconnectedness

Capture images that showcase the interconnectedness of nature, such as a bee pollinating a flower or animals in their natural habitats. This prompt reminds us of the interconnectedness of all living beings and fosters a sense of connection with the natural world.

Shared Passions

Capture images of people engaged in activities they are passionate about, such as artists creating, athletes competing, or musicians performing. This prompt highlights the power of shared passions in bringing people together and fostering connections.

Community Celebrations

Document and capture images of community celebrations and events. This could be a local festival, a parade, or a cultural celebration. This prompt promotes connection by bringing people together in celebration and fostering a sense of unity.

Random Acts of Connection

Capture images of spontaneous connections and interactions you witness in your daily life. This could be a conversation between strangers, a moment of empathy, or a simple act of connection. This prompt reminds us of the power of human connection in our everyday lives.

Prompts modeled after the “Reframing” component of the Phlourish program.

“Our key to transforming anything lies inour ability to reframe it.” – Marianne Williamson

Find the Light

Find an object that inspires you. Move around it and capture it in different light — side lighting, backlighting, and direct lighting.

Change of Focus

Fight the urge to photograph what you would normally capture. Choose a different aspect of your subject to direct your focus (ie. rose petals vs rose thorns).

Perfect Placement

Experiment with where you put the subject of the image in the frame — literally reframe it — let it be center stage and then in each corner separately.

Size Matters

Experiment with the subject taking up the whole of the frame or a very small part of the frame.

Perspective Taking

Explore your subject from different angles. Sit down low and take your photo from the ground looking up. Then, climb up high and take a photo of the subject from above looking down. Take the photo from the right, the left, and straight on. Take five photos – each a different angle.

Beautiful Trash

Take pictures of what most people would see as trash and make it look beautiful.

Nature’s beauty in small things

Focus on the beauty of small details in nature, such as a delicate flower, a tiny insect, or a dewdrop on a leaf. This prompt helps to appreciate the beauty and wonder that exists in the smallest of things, bringing a sense of hope and optimism.

Finding beauty in the ordinary

Find beauty in everyday moments and objects. This could be a simple scene of a cup of coffee, a ray of sunlight streaming through a window, or a mundane object transformed into something visually appealing. This prompt helps to cultivate hope and optimism by appreciating the beauty in the ordinary.

Nature’s Resilience

Capture images that showcase the resilience of nature, such as a plant growing through concrete or a tree standing tall despite harsh conditions. This prompt reminds us of the strength and resilience within ourselves.

Acts of Kindness

Capture moments of kindness and compassion in their communities. This could be a volunteer helping others, a random act of kindness, or a heartwarming interaction. This prompt highlights the goodness in humanity and fosters hope for a better world.

Smiles and Laughter

Capture genuine smiles and moments of laughter. This could be a candid shot of friends or family sharing a joyful moment or a stranger’s infectious smile. This prompt reminds us of the power of positivity and brings a sense of hope and optimism.

Community Unity

Capture images that showcase the unity and strength of your community. This could be a community event, a gathering, or people coming together for a common cause. This prompt fosters a sense of hope and optimism by highlighting the power of collective action.

Dreams and Aspirations

Capture images that represent their dreams, goals, or aspirations. This could be a symbolic image or a visual representation of their aspirations. This prompt helps to foster hope and optimism by reminding users of their potential and the possibilities that lie ahead.

Celebrating Diversity

Capture images that celebrate diversity and inclusivity. This could be a multicultural event, a diverse group of friends, or a scene that showcases different cultures coming together. This prompt promotes hope and optimism by highlighting the beauty of diversity and the strength it brings.

Hopeful Messages

Capture images of positive and hopeful messages you come across in your daily lives. This could be a motivational quote, an uplifting sign, or a message of encouragement. This prompt reminds us of the power of positive words and brings a sense of hope and optimism.

Prompts modeled after the “Storytelling” component of the Phlourish program.

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story within you.” -Maya Angelou

Meaningful Object

Choose an object that has meaning for you. Take 3 different photos of it. Focus on the part of the object that really captures why it means something to you. What does this object say about you?

Your Best Self(ie)

Take a selfie or a self-portrait. Change your position, the lighting, color, or contrast settings. What changes can you make without heavy filtering to capture a photo that really looks the way you want to be seen? What do you want to show?

Find your Strengths

Take the strengths questionnaire from the VIA Institute on Character linked here. We all have different strengths, talents, interests, and perspectives based on our life experience. These are what make us and our contribution to the world unique. What are yours?

Old Photos

Find 5 to 10 photos of yourself and your family. Place your selfie and your best meaningful object photo within the mix of old photos – where do you fit? How have other people contributed to who you are?

Construct

Tell your story – the story you would like to leave as your legacy.

Sense of Home

Take 6 photographs of your home or of a place you have important memories. How can you share the story of life through your environment?

Sunrise/sunset gratitude

Capture the beauty of sunrises or sunsets and reflect on the gratitude you feel for each new day or the promise of a new beginning. This prompt helps to cultivate a sense of hope and optimism.

Everyday heroes

Capture images and share stories of everyday heroes in your communities. This could be someone making a positive impact, a selfless act of kindness, or a person overcoming challenges. This prompt highlights the uplifting stories of individuals who inspire others.

Triumph over Adversity

Document and share stories of individuals who have triumphed over adversity. This could be a personal journey of resilience, a story of overcoming obstacles, or a tale of perseverance. This prompt showcases inspiring stories that uplift and motivate others.

Acts of Compassion

Capture images and share stories of acts of compassion and empathy. This could be a person helping those in need, a community coming together to support a cause, or a story of compassion in action. This prompt highlights the power of compassion and inspires others to spread kindness.

Inspiring journeys

Document and share stories of inspiring journeys and personal growth. This could be a story of self-discovery, a transformative experience, or a tale of pursuing dreams against all odds. This prompt showcases stories that uplift and motivate others to follow their own paths.

Empowering voices

Document and share stories that amplify the voices of marginalized or underrepresented individuals or communities. This could be a story of empowerment, a tale of advocacy, or a narrative that sheds light on important social issues. This prompt inspires by giving a platform to those whose stories need to be heard.

Inspiring Mentors

Capture images and share stories of inspiring mentors or role models. This could be a story of someone who has made a positive impact on others, a tale of guidance and support, or a narrative that showcases the power of mentorship. This prompt uplifts and motivates by highlighting the importance of positive influences.

Spreading Joy

Document and share stories of individuals or initiatives that spread joy and happiness. This could be a story of a project that brings smiles to people’s faces, a tale of a person who dedicates their time to making others happy, or a narrative that showcases the power of joy in uplifting others. This prompt inspires by highlighting the positive impact of spreading happiness.

Self-portrait Journey

Capture a series of self-portraits that represent different aspects of your personal journey. This could involve portraying different emotions, showcasing personal growth, or capturing moments of self-reflection.

Symbolic Objects

Select objects that hold personal significance and incorporate them into your photographs. This could be a cherished item, a memento from a meaningful experience, or something that represents their values or aspirations.

Embracing Vulnerability

Capture images that showcase moments of vulnerability and authenticity. This could involve sharing personal stories, capturing raw emotions, or portraying moments of self-acceptance and self-love.

Overcoming Challenges

Document and share stories of challenges you have overcome. This could involve capturing images that represent resilience, determination, or moments of triumph in the face of adversity.

Self-reflection through Nature

Explore the connection between your personal journey and the natural world. This could involve capturing images in nature that reflect their emotions, growth, or moments of self-discovery.

Personal Milestones

Document and share images that represent significant milestones in your lives. This could be a graduation, a career achievement, a personal accomplishment, or any other moment that holds personal significance.

Self-expression through Art

Use your “iPhone” photography as a form of self-expression. This could involve capturing images that represent your passions, hobbies, or creative outlets, showcasing your unique talents and interests.

Inner Strength and Resilience

Capture images that represent your inner strength and resilience. This could involve portraying moments of self-care, self-reflection, or showcasing the practices and activities that help them stay grounded and resilient.

Personal Affirmations

Incorporate personal affirmations or positive messages into their photographs. This could involve writing affirmations on a mirror, incorporating positive quotes, or using props that represent their personal mantras.

Celebrating Self-love

Capture images that celebrate self-love and self-acceptance. This could involve portraying moments of self-care, self-expression, or capturing images that represent their journey towards embracing and loving yourself.

Prompts modeled after the “Find Your Lense: Rich Life and Primals” component of the Phlourish program.

Art-History Based Photography Lessons

Dancing Shadows

Experiment with the contrast between light and dark to create dramatic images in which the subject is illuminated and pops out of the frame.

Symmetry in Focus

Experiment with symmetry to create a pleasing balance in your photograph.

Chromatic Canvas

Experiment with color to create different moods in your photograph. We all know red is a fiery color and blue is calm – what about yellow and green? How can we change the emotional tone of our photos simply by adding a specific color?

Guided Perspectives

Use leading lines to draw your viewer through your photograph.

Balancing Acts

Use the rule of thirds to create an interesting composition or break the rule of thirds to make something dramatic! 

Prompts modeled after the “Find Your Lense: Rich Life and Primals” component of the Phlourish program.

Grasping Legacy

Photograph your hands holding an object that represents your unique contribution to the world.

Ripples of Identity

Photograph your reflection in a body of water, symbolizing your connection to the world.

Creative Chronicles

Photograph your artwork, music, writing, or other creative work.

Impactful Threads

Photograph people whose lives you have made better or a community affected positively by your actions.

Framing Solutions

Photograph a picture of a problem you are passionate about solving.