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Wabi Sabi Photography Workshop with Jackie La Lanne and Naomi Tamura
Slow down, look closer, and discover the beauty in impermanence and imperfection. In this one-day photography workshop inspired by the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, students will explore how to capture the quiet poetry of the world around them through a contemplative photographic lens.
We’ll begin with a brief introduction to the principles of wabi-sabi, followed by a guided photo walk on the grounds of the O’Hanlon Center for the Arts. The class emphasizes mindful seeing, intuitive framing, and embracing the imperfect or unexpected. Towards the end of class, we will gather for an informal group discussion and photo review. Students are encouraged to bring previously taken images to explore whether they reflect wabi-sabi qualities.
This class is open to photographers of all levels. Whether you’re new to photography or seeking a deeper, more meditative creative approach, you’ll leave with a refreshed eye and a deeper appreciation for the imperfect beauty of the world around us.
Date: Thursday, July 10
Time 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Min 4 max 8
$65 or $50 OHCA members
What to Bring:
- Any camera you’re comfortable with — DSLR, mirrorless, point-and-shoot, or smartphone
- Previously taken photos (digital or printed) for group review
- Fully charged battery and memory card, or phone storage
- Notebook or sketchbook and pen for reflections
- Weather-appropriate clothing, walking shoes, and some water to drink.
About the Facilitators
Jackie La Lanne retired at the end of 2021 from over 30 years teaching art in the Mill Valley School district. She is currently Board President of of O’Hanlon. She graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Studio Art and a Masters Degree in Art Education. She loves teaching art and making photographs, which she says have a lot in common: discovering, making, envisioning, sharing, and having fun. La Lanne, who can often be found in the artroom wearing the earrings she made from her old bike lock keys, has been teaching elementary art curriculum in Mill Valley public schools for many years. She is an accomplished artist, teacher, and photographer and has created wonderful collaborative textile projects for her five grandchildren.
Naomi Tamura is a visual artist based in Mill Valley, California, working in acrylic paint, drawing media, and photography. Her work blends representation with intuition, exploring themes of memory, emotion, and atmosphere through expressive mark-making and the lens of a camera. A lifelong artist, Tamura studied Studio Art at Scripps College and graphic design at ArtCenter College of Design, leading to a 20-year career as a designer and art director. After stepping away from commercial work in 2011, she returned to fine art with a renewed focus. Tamura’s creative practice reflects a range of influences—from the Bay Area Figurative Movement to Post-Impressionism and Abstract Expressionism. She has exhibited at the O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, where she served as a former board chair, and remains active in the local arts community. Photography plays a vital role in her process, serving as both inspiration and a form of artistic expression.