Hi. My name is Kim Manley Ort.

When I was growing up, I spent much of my time at the local ice rink, figure skating. We practiced school figures back then, making figure eights over and over again, always returning to the center. Little did I know that I was learning a meditative practice on a small patch of ice at six in the morning. Years later, I discovered a similar practice of presence with photography. While at a photography workshop with Freeman Patterson and Andre Gallant, I learned how to see in terms of lines, shapes, colours, and textures. After many years, I realized that it was the process of photographing that I enjoyed as much or more than the final print. The camera was teaching me how to see.

“The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside by a generous hand. But – and this is the point – who gets excited by a mere penny? If you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then since the world is in fact planted in pennies, you within your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple, What you see is what you get.” ~ Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

The quote above by Annie Dillard is one of my all-time favourites because it describes my philosophy and mission perfectly. That is, to discover those pennies, those jewels, that are hidden in plain sight, every single day. And, I love to help others do the same. I practice seeing right where I live, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario – near Niagara Falls. My husband and I moved back to this area, where we both grew up, after living in the United Staes for many years. I’ve grown to love this tiny, tourist town, where I can walk to Lake Ontario in about 15 minutes. Those daily walks with camera in hand are my contemplative practice.

What I Offer

I launched my first workshop, Photo By Design, in 2010. Since then, I’ve created several other classes – in abstract photography, how to use a 50mm lens, keeping it simple, developing contemplative habits, and visual journalling. All have at their core a desire to be present and experience life exactly as it is. Some of these courses are still available on-demand or as PDFs. One, Adventures in Seeing, became a book of photographic exercises.

I still love a good photograph, but it’s not my end goal. My intention is to be fully in the moment, open and aware. The best photographs emerge from this mindset. My mission is to share ideas, practices and inspiration for living a contemplative life. Since 2021, I’ve been sharing newsletter about seeing clearly and place over at Substack. In 2023, I’ve been reflecting on the last 12 years of writing and photographing, looking for themes and insights, and posting essays on them. There are 10 so far this year.

Please explore what I have available through the buttons below. You can contact me through the form at the bottom of the page if you have any questions. Thanks so much for your interest.

Workshops and Retreats

Writing and Photography

Seeing Clearly