Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.
Dorothea Lange, photographer
MINDFUL PHOTOTHERAPY FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING, INCREASING RESILIENCE FOR SELF, OTHERS AND PLANET
It is not surprising that in an era of post industrial revolution, climate crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, wars and conflict, abuse, generational and indigenous traumas, there is already a global feeling of disconnect, limbo and uncertainty, all of which is already a lot for you to carry on your shoulders despite any other personal stressful situations of your own health, family communications, identity and/or change.
Stress, anxiety, worry, frustration, anger, loneliness, isolation, fear, shame, grief, depression and trauma amongst others are valid emotions that are felt from time to time. You often find good ways to cope with processing them. However, when you start to feel more overwhelmed, the emotions can feel stronger and take up more energy and space in your life. Sometimes these feelings are relentless; so perhaps it is the time to take your own power back, pause and join me on a phototherapy journey to create (and perhaps recreate) your narrative through images.
Working with images allows a tangible element, the photograph, to speak to you and to represent your more ephemeral feelings. Combined with some mindful exercises and pauses and some simple meditations in N/nature this is your #metime. When you stop to breathe and take a moment to attune and hone your senses, you can find yourself taking valuable moments to settle and ground and to really look again, to reframe and reconnect with what is around you. You can often find a refreshed and renewed sense of spirit. We can find awe in the details around us and research (Jordan, 2016) has found that making time to pause, to be inspired and lean into awe, helps to revitalise us on the inside, to awaken your inner self.
Allowing me to work alongside you, to witness and honour your journey and discoveries, we can together see, hear and feel what your insides are symbolising and communicating to you by what you are drawn to photograph, pick up, play with, juxtapose, compose, focus on with, within and in-between the frame. To have your within resonate with your outer landscapes brings a rebalancing and re-understanding that you may be seeking. Find and frame the insights you need for your own healing.
Contact me to discuss what format of mindful phototherapy suits you best.
No experience necessary, bring yourself, an image taking device and an open mind.
