Therapeutic Photography: How It Helps People In Need of Therapy
There are many reasons why photography can be an effective form of therapy. There are also several methods of doing this, especially since it can be considered a personal form of rehabilitation. One person, for example, can choose to write down thoughts and feelings first – using words or phrases – and then convert these into images.
Basically, it’s not about the photos per se; it is more about the process of shooting the images. Carrying the camera, feeling it in your hands; hearing the click and looking through the lens, and even the process of walking around to look for scenes or situations to shoot – all these make photography therapeutic
Below are the top five reasons why photography can be an effective form of treatment.
Resource; www.phototherapy-centre.com
“I dealt with an unexpected death in my family in the only way I knew how: by using my camera. It gave me control when I had none, it protected me when I was vulnerable. It responded immediately to how I was feeling. It helped me see when I was blind in thought. I see the camera as an extension of my being and take it everywhere with me. It’s just such a responsive tool and it’s results are immediate!”
— Jayne Caesar, Masters in Art Psychotherapy Graduate Program Student
Basically, it’s not about the photos per se; it is more about the process of shooting the images. Carrying the camera, feeling it in your hands; hearing the click and looking through the lens, and even the process of walking around to look for scenes or situations to shoot – all these make photography therapeutic
Below are the top five reasons why photography can be an effective form of treatment.
- Photography gives us the opportunity to view the world objectively. It shows us images that depicts how we are really living, not the often-guarded thoughts we keep in our minds. Thus, we become mindful of the things around us and in what is happening, as opposed to what we think (and like to believe) are happening. Developing mindfulness in photography is therapeutic because it unmasks the realities we thought we knew.
- Photography is a form of self-expression. It can effectively show a person’s true psychological state. It can also manifest a person’s genuine emotions. In other words, it allows a person to reach a better understanding of itself. This is therapeutic because it helps liberate a person from something previously misunderstood.
- Photography allows us to see more deeply and pay more attention to what we hear, feel, think, and see. We learn to ask questions; these questions will often enlighten us about particular things we used to be worried or confused with. This is therapeutic because it enables people to enhance understanding and learning; which is also a way of healing.
- Photography helps improve every day experiences. What used to be ordinary for you can change after you took a photo of it from a different angle. For example, a simple red rose can turn into a beautiful gift of nature after you captured it on camera while in bloom. Ordinary things become more special and meaningful. This is therapeutic because it gives an overall sense of happy and positive feeling.
- Lastly, photography can help unleash artistic and creative skills. Take for example a child with Down syndrome or a person in a wheelchair, or someone who is hearing impaired. These people may find it difficult to express themselves verbally, but through their photos, they could communicate and express their thoughts and feelings fluently. Knowing that you are capable of doing something despite the challenges and setbacks is definitely therapeutic.
Resource; www.phototherapy-centre.com
“I dealt with an unexpected death in my family in the only way I knew how: by using my camera. It gave me control when I had none, it protected me when I was vulnerable. It responded immediately to how I was feeling. It helped me see when I was blind in thought. I see the camera as an extension of my being and take it everywhere with me. It’s just such a responsive tool and it’s results are immediate!”
— Jayne Caesar, Masters in Art Psychotherapy Graduate Program Student