I had the opportunity to join fellow friends and photographers, Matt Suess and Scott Hinkle on a photo outing to a monastery in Arizona. On the beautifully landscaped property lives over 40 monks who follow the coenobitic rule of monastic life. This brotherhood spends much of their days in prayer or working on tasks that include grounds keeping, orchard tending, construction, publishing, food preparation and hospitality.

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We had to follow their basic rules of appropriate attire that included long sleeved shirts and pants for the men and scarves, long sleeved shirts and a full length skirt for women. Socks had to be worn in sandal type shoes. I do not own a long skirt so one was given to me there to borrow.

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All decked out in the appropriate attire.

We were allowed to take photographs of the grounds, the buildings and surrounding area. We saw amazing architecture and beautiful gardens. We rarely saw a monk but we were not allowed to converse with them or photograph them without their permission.

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