Through the lens of light. Summer Solstice with Esther Nichols, photographer

As the longest day of the year casts its golden glow over the earth, for me, this day isn’t just about light in the sky, but the light within.

It’s a time to pause, breathe, and witness the radiance that surrounds and resides in us all. Summer solstice for me marks more than just a celestial event — it’s a sacred turning point.

For me, as

The Solstice as Sacred Light

The word solstice comes from the Latin solstitium — sol (sun) and stitium (still or stopped). On this day, the sun seems to stand still in the sky, suspended in a moment of deep presence. This stillness is where I find the soul of my work: in the pause between breaths, in the golden hush of early morning, and in the raw, honest light of late afternoon.

As a holistic photographer, I don’t just shoot what I see — I photograph what I feel. And on the solstice, everything feels amplified: colours, textures, emotions.

It’s as if nature itself is posing in her finest light, asking us to notice, to honour, to be.

Photographing with Intention

On the solstice, I leave behind the rush of settings and shot lists. Instead, I shoot with intention — not just to capture, but to connect. I ask myself: What does this light want me to see? What story is the earth whispering today? I lean into the softness of shadows, the geometry of sunlight through leaves, the way the warmth spills over a person’s skin.

Golden hour, always a photographer’s muse, feels particularly powerful on this day. It’s not just flattering light — it’s light that transforms. It’s the kind of light that reminds us we are nature, not separate from it.

Rituals Behind the Camera

Each solstice, I create a small ritual before I pick up my camera. Sometimes it’s just a few minutes of grounding — bare feet in the grass, a breath to the heart, a quiet “thank you” to the sun. Other times, it’s journaling with my lens cap on, writing down intentions for the season ahead. I think of it as photographing not from the eye alone, but from the soul.

This year, my solstice ritual is simple: I will photograph in silence, allow myself to be surprised by beauty, and let go of all expectations. The goal isn’t the perfect photo. It’s the presence.

Welcoming the Inner Light

The summer solstice invites us to reflect on our own inner brightness. What parts of us are ready to shine? What have we grown through the seasons, and what are we ready to share?

Photography becomes a mirror. The images I take on this day aren’t just memories — they’re messages. Reminders of our connection to light, life, and love.

The solstice is a doorway — to deeper seeing, to slower living, to more sacred creation.

Whether you're behind the camera or simply standing in the sun, may you find the light that lives in all things — and in you.