Mindful Mantis — presence sessions and natural light portraits

Mindfulness · Coaching · Photography

Clarity begins
with observation.

A guided experience combining mindful awareness with natural light photography — creating space to notice how you want to show up.

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Stillness reveals
the system.

Mindful Mantis is inspired by the quiet intelligence of observation. A mantis does not rush. It pauses, observes, and then moves with precision.

These sessions invite that same quality of attention — creating space to notice how you want to show up, and capturing images that reflect that clarity.

Born from a week of stillness in the jungles of Costa Rica, this practice weaves together what happens when we slow down enough to truly see: mindful coaching, intentional photography, and the natural world as our setting.

Mindful Mantis — presence sessions and natural light photography

"A mantis represents stillness, heightened perception, patience, and deliberate movement — exactly the skills cultivated through mindful awareness."

When you photograph intentionally,
you practice presence.

01

Slow down

02

Observe light

03

Notice small details

04

Become present

05

Regulate breathing & posture

The same skills required for nervous system regulation, emotional awareness, and cognitive clarity. Photography becomes a gateway into mindfulness.

Not just a photo shoot —
a reset moment.

I

30 minutes

Arrival & Presence

A short guided conversation and mindfulness practice to slow down, set intention, and connect with how you want to show up.

II

30 minutes

Observation & Photo Session

A relaxed natural-light shoot that captures authentic presence rather than forced poses. Stillness before each action, space to think and be present.

III

Post-session

Reflection & Deliverables

You receive 4–5 lightly edited, professionally usable images along with a short reflection or intention from the session.

Three systems,
one practice.

Recovery

  • Nervous system regulation
  • Sleep cycles
  • Stress physiology

Nutrition

  • Cellular energy
  • Metabolic processes
  • Biological fuel

Mindful Awareness

  • Vagus nerve activation
  • Breath regulation
  • Brain-body signaling

All three influence biological feedback systems. The infinity of recovery, nutrition, and awareness working together — your body's own intelligence, observed and supported.

These sessions resonate
with people who are…

Updating their professional presence or headshot

Navigating a personal or career transition

Curious about mindfulness or presence practices

Looking for images that feel natural and authentic

Ashlie Kennedy works at the intersection of presence, perception, and pattern recognition.

With a background spanning human behavior, performance, and visual storytelling, she helps people slow down enough to see themselves clearly — often for the first time in a long time.

Her approach blends structured coaching with a deep understanding of how the body, mind, and environment interact under stress. Whether in conversation or behind the lens, she’s trained to notice what most people miss — subtle shifts in energy, expression, and attention — and reflect that back in a way that feels accurate, not forced.

Clients often arrive feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or “not quite themselves.” They leave with greater clarity, a steadier internal state, and a version of themselves they can recognize and trust.

She helps people see themselves clearly — then captures that version.

Ashlie Kennedy — Health & Wellbeing Coach and Photographer

Duke University

Trained Health & Wellbeing Coach

St. Petersburg College

Black & White Photography

Straz Performing Arts Center

Performance & Acting

10+ Years

Practicing the art & science of photography

Spring Reset

A simple way to step out of overload and back into clarity.

Spring 2026

The Reset Session

Virtual 1:1 · 30 minutes

Feeling overloaded — but not sure where to start? These short, grounded sessions give you a space to slow things down and get clear again.

  • Recovery & nervous system regulation
  • Nutrition & cellular energy
  • Mindful awareness & breath

Simple. Grounded. Coaching. No pressure. No long-term commitment.

$85

Single reset session

$225

3-session reset pack

Spring Introductory Sessions

Mindful Mantis Session

1:1 or small group · Outdoor natural light

  • Guided mindfulness & intention setting
  • Natural light portrait session
  • 4–5 professionally edited images
  • Session reflection & intention

Tampa Bay area · Indoor sessions available for an additional fee

Limited availability

$175

Introductory session fee

or $300 for a small group of four

Reserve Your Session

Curious about
a session?

If you're interested in experiencing a Mindful Mantis session, reach out and we can explore whether it's a good fit.

Sessions are currently offered outdoors in natural light around the Tampa Bay area.

Your information is kept private and never shared.

Message received.

Thank you for reaching out. I'll be in touch soon to explore whether a session is a good fit.