About Heidi
"Photographer and contemplative psychotherapist Heidi Straube
views her world with a tender heart through the lens of a camera..."
Heidi Straube
Heidi Straube, M.Ed, LPC, is a photographer, transformational life counselor, and muse.
Integrating her experience of thirty years as a career/life direction counselor, consultant to executives, and contemplative psychotherapist, with meditative practices, including Zen and yogic traditions, she helps individuals to create their art and change their lives by honoring the deeper, spiritual self.
Through personal intensives, writing, retreats and workshops, Heidi guides individuals in the enjoyment of their creative process, as well as its application to their life path. Her creative work includes contemplative seascapes, meditative photo poems, books, scroll wall hangings, and unique pieces of beauty for the inspiration and deep peace of others.
"The Inner Path of Photography," a class, retreat, and self-directed course for adults, for individuals to learn how to create from feeling, the mystical, and inner knowing; "You are the Artist of Your Life," a class for teens to use photography to explore life direction, and "Honoring the Soul of Your Work," a series of talks, workshops, and intensive coaching opportunities, are some examples of the creative ways she helps others to deepen their photographic practice as well as discover and create lives of passion and joy.
Heidi has led a special celebration of community through photography in Boca de Chavon, Dominican Republic, and exhibited in venues such as Les Rencontres Internationale de la Photographie, Arles, France; FotoFest Houston; Peter T Brown Gallery/Glasscock School at Rice University; Flatbed Press, Austin, TX; and the Cape Cod Art Association/ Photography Center, Massachusetts.
Affectionately called "The Nomad" by her friends, Heidi left her base of many years in Houston, Texas fourteen years ago in order to follow her heart and expand her work. Greece and Cyprus began the adventure, Istanbul, Turkey enhanced it; since then Heidi has been based alternately between Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Taos/Santa Fe, New Mexico; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Houston, Texas.
Heidi is pleased to be celebrating her fifth magical winter this year at First Encounter Beach in beautiful Eastham, Massachusetts, Cape Cod. She loves the sea, the exotic, fine wine, passionate food, and can be persuaded to travel (almost) anywhere.
Proud Accomplishments
A Personal Note
A Personal Note...
My friends call me "The Nomad" these days - as they've watched me create a life living and working in beautiful places, designing new classes, finding unique opportunities to meet new people and expand my world. I believe in actually doing and having the life I desire, not just dreaming about it.
So that has included things like being a professional flutist and playing to a sold-out hall with Jean-Pierre Rampal in Jones Hall, Houston (now I really want to be a rock star!); flying to Cyprus, interviewing and shooting photos of displaced Greeks due to the 1974 Turkish invasion; gifting a generous Cretan family with grapes after they spontaneously invited me to share their Sunday dinner when I asked for directions, and laughing as they led me to their family wine making area in the back...Playing flute with the hottest Cuban band in Miami after brazenly saying to my boyfriend of course I would do that if we go...
Recently I've created and explored the last five winters on Cape Cod, Massachusetts (what? winter??!...there are reasons...) and enjoyed work and pleasure in both Manhattan (meet me under the clock at Grand Central), and Boston. After returning this summer from months in St. Petersburg, Florida, Taos, New Mexico, Houston, and New York, I'm now back to Cape Cod for one more brave and beautiful winter.
Teaching, creating and (always! everywhere!) loving.
Life is good.
My wish for you...
The art of photography is more than knowing what f-stop to use, how to capture the light, and how to make changes on your computer to make the “perfect” picture. The essence of a great photograph, one that truly rocks your soul, is much deeper than that. It comes from within the photographer, from the heart and soul.
The great photographer is shooting from an inner awareness; a connection with a truth that is unique only to her/him. My work and this website is dedicated to deepening that connection, and helping us to improve the way we express ourselves in the world as photographers.
But the inner path of photography is not just for photographers. We can all use the art of photography to learn things about ourselves. This site is also intended for those seekers who want to live life to the fullest, and are open to the many ways to do so.
May you be inspired by the images, classes, and words that you find here, and may you participate in those experiences that call to you.
And most importantly, may you reach the place where you are able to honor the inner spirit, and by doing so, create the outer life, whether it be through photographs, relationships, or the many ways that you will live.
My best to you,
Heidi