Autumn Bushcraft & Nature Photography | Field Notes

A Day in the Autumn Woods: Bushcraft, Photography, and Finding Balance

Autumn in the Netherlands is magic. The cold wind, sudden rain showers, warm sunshine, and vibrant colors of Mother Nature make the forest come alive.

This autumn, I joined a bushcraft workshop in the woods. Originally, it was planned as a full weekend. But with storms passing over the country and my ongoing recovery from a burnout, I decided to keep it to just one long, beautiful day.Listening to your body is a lesson I am learning every day.

Here is what that day looked like, both through my eyes and through my camera lens.

Learning New Skills in the Forest

The day was packed with outdoorsy activities. We learned how to identify wild mushrooms and edible plants, how to forage responsibly, and how to cook and bake over an open fire. We built our own fires from scratch and spent time birdwatching in the quiet parts of the woods.

I truly believe that learning new skills enriches us as human beings. Stepping outside your routine expands your mind.Being out in nature and getting your hands dirty is one of the best ways to ground yourself.

I even came home with simple, delicious bushcraft recipes that I have already tried out in my own kitchen!

Pushing Boundaries and Respecting Energy Limits

To be honest, a day like this takes effort. Learning new things when you are not feeling 100% physically or mentally drains your battery fast.

Being in an unfamiliar group of people and managing social interactions requires energy. Adding a long drive to and from the location made it quite intense.

So, what did I do? I brought my camera.

Photography is my comfort zone. Holding my camera allowed me to step back, observe, and process the day at my own pace. While my mind was learning new skills, my camera helped me capture the quiet details that others might miss:the texture of moss, the glow of wet autumn leaves, and the smoke rising from the campfire.

Was It Worth It?

Absolutely. Every single minute.

Even though it cost me a lot of energy, it gave me so much more in return. Inspiration, peace of mind, new knowledge,and a fresh connection to the outdoors.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. As a photographer, I write with light instead of pen and paper. Below are some of my favorite moments captured during this crisp autumn day.

I hope these images inspire you to step outside, breathe in the cold woods air, and maybe try something new yourself.

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