Stephen Proctor

Sep 2

11 min read ⭑

“I have absolutely fallen in love with nature! Being outside in creation is one of my greatest joys — so much so that I began making it the focus of my work as an artist. And these days, it’s where I experience the deepest communion with the Creator.”

You could call Stephen Proctor a landscape cinematographer, aerial photographer, licensed drone pilot, projection mapper and experience curator — but he often just refers to himself as a visual artist, illuminating what’s right in front of us but rarely enjoyed. He’s toured with bands and musicians like the Gungors and Propaganda and authors like Beth Moore, creating immersive visual experiences for their live concerts and conferences. This year, he’s added “author” to his resume with the release of his new book, “Wild Wonder: What Nature Teaches Us About Slowing Down and Living Well.” Enjoy a conversation full of imagination and honesty as we explore Stephen’s new love of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic books, why he moved from Nashville to build a cabin in the Pacific Northwest and how he knows when the Spirit is working through him.

QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT

There’s much more to food than palate and preference. How does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind the web bio?

I love this question because I love food, especially Tex-Mex! Local places have their history and charm, but to be honest, just give me some sizzlin’ fajitas with a mountain of pico de gallo. Fancy or trashy — I don’t care. The obsession runs deep. If the wedding feast of the Lamb doesn’t have chips and salsa, I’ll want my money back!

But in all seriousness, the ideal meal is one that I get to cook for close friends and family. My go-to (since I was in sixth grade) is traditional Italian Bolognese (aka spaghetti and meat sauce). The recipe has evolved over the years as I’ve refined my tastes and leaned into less spice and more fresh ingredients. And of course, I’ll serve super cheesy garlic bread as well.

Another delightful dish that I dialed in during COVID is a Pacific Northwest classic: cedar plank salmon (wild from the Columbia River, which my house overlooks) with a healthy dose of smoked paprika seasoning, served with truffle garlic Parmesan mashed potatoes, sauteed broccoli and freshly baked bread. Followed by marionberry pie with Tillamook vanilla ice cream.

Both the flavors of these foods and the deep conversations that follow the communion are one of my favorite things in the entire world. The film “Babette’s Feast” captures the transformational power of a decadent dinner along with the generous gift of the artist better than anything else I’ve ever seen too. I highly recommend watching it.

Therefore, let us keep the feast!

QUESTION #2: REVEAL

We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So what are yours? What so-called “nonspiritual” activity (or activities) do you love engaging in, which also helps you find essential spiritual renewal?

I’ve never been much of a book reader, which is ironic for a (new) author to say. But in the last few years, I have gone deep down the rabbit hole that J.R.R. Tolkien dug throughout his life.

I know it’s a bit cliché to love and mention “The Lord of the Rings,” but I can’t help it. Peter Jackson’s movies are what planted the alfirin seed long ago. And going to New Zealand over 10 times hasn’t helped either — as beyond every other rock, there’s a film location! And then there’s Howard Shore’s soundtrack ... chef’s kiss.

Since 2019, I’ve been diving into the books. But I didn’t stop after the trilogy. I went further back into Middle-earth lore by reading (via audiobooks) “The Silmarillion,” “Unfinished Tales” and “The Great Tales” from the First and Second Ages.

These stories, along with Tolkien’s world-building, have been an incredible source of inspiration, both creatively and spiritually. To be honest, a lot of it reminds me of the Bible, from the Creation story to Exodus, from the genealogies to the Temple-building, from the prophets to the birth of Christ, and of course, the return of the King! Tolkien’s imagination has helped me appreciate the Bible in a fresh way, especially since Scripture has become overly familiar to me. I haven’t known life without the Bible, so I tend to take it for granted, to be honest. But Tolkien’s writings have helped me see God’s Word and world with fresh eyes.

Praise be to Eru Ilúvatar!

QUESTION #3: CONFESS

Every superhero has a weakness. Every human too. We’re just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite, and how do you hide it?

Screens.

I love them. And I hate them!

They are my superpower ... and my kryptonite.

I’d like to think I have a healthy, balanced relationship with my phone, but I don’t. It’s a real struggle. I can’t stand how I can zone out and get stuck in a loop watching Reels on Instagram or whatever the algorithm wants me to see that day. It’s like eating junk food — even though it makes you feel like crap, you still crave it.

Sometimes, when I’ve been looking at screens for too long, I’ll go into my phone’s settings and change the color mode to black and white. It’s amazing how much the eye is drawn to color, and when you take that away, the dopamines don’t hit as hard, and you lose interest much more quickly. I’ve also deleted most social media apps from my phone, especially Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). That’s really helped a lot too.

It’s funny (at least to me) because, in my world, I’m known for being a wizard when it comes to screens. I’m a curator of visuals for live concerts and events and can immerse an entire space in projection, augmenting reality around everyone in the room. Screens are what I’m known for! And my two strongest tools for creating visual art have been projectors and drones.

But to be honest, it makes sense to me that, to paraphrase artist Andy Goldsworthy, the very thing that brings me to life can also bring about my death.

QUESTION #4: FIRE UP

Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?

I have absolutely fallen in love with nature! Being outside in creation is one of my greatest joys — so much so that I began making it the focus of my work as an artist. And these days, it’s where I experience the deepest communion with the Creator.

Whether it’s going for a hike, dipping into a cold river or waterfall on a hot day, “forest bathing” quietly in the woods or flying my drone across an epic landscape, exploring and enjoying the beauty of Earth has become one of my strongest sources of inspiration, creativity and spiritual growth. I truly believe that experiencing nature is one of the most powerful drugs on the planet and one of the greatest “medicines” our Creator has given us for healing ourselves and the world around us.

This obsession led me to sell all that I owned in Nashville and buy land in the Pacific Northwest, where I built a small cabin in a forest next to a river. It was an extremely hard and challenging process — like a baptism by fire (more like baptism by local bureaucracy!). But in the end, it was worth it. And I named my home “Rivendell.”

While I was in the process of moving into Rivendell, I was approached by a friend who works in publishing about writing a book on nature that would feature my drone/aerial landscape photography. Long story short: “Wild Wonder: What Nature Teaches Us About Slowing Down and Living Well” releases Sept. 3!

QUESTION #5: BOOST

Cashiers, CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it’s God when it happens?

I think the Holy Spirit is working through me and invigorating my work whether I’m aware of it or not. I can do all the right things to get me in the “zone,” but too often, I fall flat and feel stuck. And the Spirit is silent. Then there are times when I am totally drained, exhausted and uninspired with a tight deadline and a late night facing me, and then bam — somehow, the project is done, and my client, along with their audience, is moved to tears. And I just think, How, God? Too often, the Spirit works in and through me despite my empty tank. That’s when I know it’s God and not me.

But I also feel God’s energy vibrating through me when I get into a “flow state,” like a runner’s high or when an artist gets into the flow. It’s like nothing else. It’s absolute sheer joy and focused pleasure that takes me on a mystical journey! And I know that it’s also the Spirit working her magic.

And then there are the times when neither extreme is at play and work just feels normal. My experience and creative muscle memory just gets the job done. There are no spiritual highs or lows — just a stable, normal, everyday feeling. And even then, I know God is with me and holding me all together. Being faithful in the quiet stillness and in the boredom of the moment.

QUESTION #6: inspire

Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you right now?

I don’t like reading the Bible. It doesn’t really draw me closer to God if you want me to be honest. My ADHD brain just shuts down when I see text all alone on a page, even if it is sacred. (Sorry to my book nerds and word lovers out there. Cancel me if you need to! I get it.) But listening to Scripture has become my alternative pathway to his Word, and I’m really thankful for the app/podcast Pray As You Go, which layers music and contemplative promptings with British Jesuits reading the Daily Office.

Worship music used to be a big pathway for me, but not for the last decade. A few new songs have surprised me here and there, but it’s rare. I even used to live in Nashville and work in the Christian/worship music industry because I loved it so much! I’m thankful (now) for those days. But these days, instrumental music is what connects me to myself, my surroundings, creation and the Creator. Ambient, neoclassical, film scores and so on — it’s my never-ending soundtrack.

But my favorite spiritual practice that I’ve developed recently? Feeding wild deer! The little forest I bought and live in came with a family of black-tail deer, and they have become like pets. Some even let me pet them! Over the last two years, they’ve been teaching me to slow down and be a little quieter. They’re like gentle spirits of the forest, and you have to earn their trust — slowly.

QUESTION #7: FOCUS

Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed the game and changed your heart? What radically altered your life? What changed your reality?

OK, y’all, I lied. I actually do like to read books — on occasion! There are three books I’ve read (not just listened to) that have been very foundational for my faith and my creativity.

“The Art of Curating Worship: Reshaping the Role of Worship Leader” by Mark Pierson. Mark is a dear friend and mentor who lives down in New Zealand and pastors a parish called Rhythms of Grace. His book is the best I’ve ever come across that challenged me to rethink corporate worship on so many levels. And it’s inspired so much of my theological and philosophical views when it comes to sacred space, liturgical art and visual worship.

“Chasing Francis” by Ian Morgan Cron. Good Lord. Ian wrecked me with this book. At a time when my faith was deconstructing and my soul was burning out, Ian’s book became a story I clung to as my spirituality was evolving and being reconstructed into what it is today. The chapter on sacred space and medieval architecture is worth the price all on its own!

“Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul” by John Philip Newell. This book, along with his others, has deepened my faith by introducing me to the ancient stream of Celtic Christianity. It’s flipped everything inside out and inverted my theology in so many beautiful, mystical ways, especially when it comes to God’s presence in Creation. But it’s too heretical for most Christians, so you might want to steer clear. You’ve been warned!

We all have things we cling to to survive (or even thrive) in tough times — times like these! Name one resource you’re savoring and/or finding indispensable in this current season, and tell us what it’s doing for you.

I should’ve included this in the “spiritual practices” section, but breathwork has become a form of physical meditation that I’ve embraced over the past year. Some may raise an eyebrow or roll an eye at this ancient yet reemerging trend. But I have to say, from personal experience, the simplicity of focused breathing over five to 15 minutes can really change your mood and mindset. It’s very cleansing.

Simply put, breathwork is the exercise of breathing slowly and intentionally. This practice invites us to focus on our breath and be present with our bodies, which offers many different benefits. It helps reduce stress and anxiety, as well as PTSD and the ripple effects of trauma. When we take in larger-than-normal amounts of oxygen, our bodies release toxins and stress hormones while balancing blood pressure and strengthening respiratory and immune systems. And that’s just scratching the surface!

An app that has been a great resource for me is called Respira. Respira takes a unique, creative (and sometimes even cinematic) approach to breathwork, weaving in psychoacoustic soundscapes into each guided meditation, with most of them being composed by one of my favorite neoclassical artists, Ben Lukas Boysen. The exclusive music alone is worth the subscription! And the effect that these breathwork sessions have had on me has been so good that I couldn’t help but mention it.

And in case you didn’t know, the original word for “Spirit” in Hebrew is ruach (רוח), which also means “breath” and “wind.”

QUESTION #8: dream

God is continually stirring new things in each of us. So give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?

To be honest, I don’t know what’s next. With my book releasing, I feel like I could be on the brink of something new and big — or it might just be a fun and memorable season. I’m happy to enjoy whatever ride I’m about to go on.

With so much of my work being nature-based, I wonder how I might go deeper into that passion. I might try out being an adventure guide up here in the Pacific Northwest. I’d also like to get involved in conservation work and help play a more active role in creation care, especially in the face of the climate crisis.

There are a few different landscapes and perspectives I would like to explore in the days ahead:

One is arid, desert wildernesses as well as active volcanoes. My cinematography (and book) focuses a lot on water — oceans, lush forests, rivers, snow, glaciers and beautiful mountains. I’d like to explore the stark opposite of these abundant places, where water is a scarcity. Perhaps God has something new to teach me here.

Another would be a shift in perspective: as a drone pilot, I get to look down and see the big picture from high above. I’d like to explore the surface with macro-lenses that make tiny details in the dirt look like vast landscapes. I’d also like to shift my gaze upward toward the heavens by diving into astrophotography.

That’s the beautiful thing about creation. There’s always something deeper, higher, further and wilder to explore. She’s the gift that keeps on giving!

The concept of combining breathwork and prayer may be a modern trend, but it also has deep roots in Christian history. Some say the first recorded breath prayer dates back to the third century: “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me.”

And of course, breath as a spiritual theme flows throughout Scripture — from the moment God breathed life into Adam (see Gen. 2:7) to the moment Jesus breathed on his disciples, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22, ESV).

Thankfully, breath prayers don’t need to take long. In fact, one of the great things about them is that you can do them anywhere — whether you’re reading Scripture, waiting in line, driving in heavy traffic or having a difficult conversation. How can you practice inhaling and exhaling short prayers or snippets of Scripture this week?

Stephen Proctor is a visual artist and drone pilot specializing in landscape cinematography and aerial photography to curate calming, imaginative experiences. He often collaborates with film composers, ambient artists and modern classical musicians. For the past 20 years, he’s toured with bands and authors, producing visually immersive experiences for live concerts and conferences all around the world using projection. His new photobook Wild Wonder: What Nature Teaches Us About Slowing Down and Living Well releases Sept. 3. Stephen lives in a cabin in the Columbia River Gorge outside Portland, Oregon. Visit proktr.com and illuminate.us and to learn more.