Connexion
How I've used photography as an outlet when words aren't enough
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| I created this image while I was working full-time, applying to far too many graduate schools and navigating a long-distance relationship. Photo: Abby Ferguson |
It's well established that photography is a superb tool for documentation purposes. It's also fairly well accepted as an art form. It's less recognized, or at least talked about, as a therapeutic tool, but it can be a powerful resource for just that. If you'll allow me to get a bit personal, photography has helped me get through some very challenging times. I won't go so far as to say that it's saved my life, but I know many people can say that is the case for them.
To be clear, I'm not a therapist, and I don't see photography as a replacement for therapy with a licensed professional. Instead, I view it as a therapeutic tool. I have seen the impact the medium has had on my own life and the lives of others. For those who haven't used photography intentionally as a tool for healing or growth, perhaps this can be a helpful guide on how to do so, or a gentle push to lean on the medium as such when you need it.
Distraction and mindfulness
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| Sometimes using the camera as a distraction tool can be just what you need. Photo: Abby Ferguson |
Sometimes, photography can simply be a good distraction. There are times when it's best to focus on something other than current events or difficulties in your personal life, and photography can be an excellent method for that. Taking photographs requires focus (no pun intended) and attention. Instead of dwelling on heavy or hard things, you can, at least momentarily, put your energy towards something else.
When taking photographs, you pay more attention to light, shadow, shapes and details. You look carefully at the things directly in front of you at that particular moment. It forces you to stay in the here and now, which is similar to general mindfulness practices that aim to help you manage stress. It's a simple thing, but it can make a significant difference.
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| Having my dog with me on hikes often has the added bonus of some comedic relief. Photo: Abby Ferguson |
For some, photography is a solitary endeavor, which can be an excuse to give yourself time and space to just breathe. When I need stress relief, I often find myself going on a hike by myself (and my dog) with my camera. I typically come back feeling more refreshed and in a much better headspace than when I set out.
Simply being in the outdoors is a big part of that for me, but the camera also helps me tune out everything else more effectively while I'm hiking. Even if I only feel inspired to take a few photographs, it at least makes me pay more attention to what's around me instead of putting my head down and trudging through. Plus, if I do manage to get a photograph that I think is cool, it gives me a sense of accomplishment, which is always a nice mental boost.
Photography as an outlet
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| I took this self-portrait just last weekend, since I was in desperate need of a creative outlet, and this concept kept coming to mind. Photo: Abby Ferguson |
What's been even more important for me at various points in my life is using photography as an outlet and a means of self-reflection. Creating photographs can be excellent for self-expression, and also a tool for working through difficulties and managing emotions.
Photography is a fantastic resource when I don't want to talk about what I'm going through but still want to express it in some way. Alternatively, sometimes I haven't even fully processed what I'm dealing with and don't have words for it. Photography helps me get out some of the emotion instead of simply bottling it up. There are even times when creating a photograph has helped me better understand my current mental state, even if I hadn't been willing to acknowledge it prior to that.
"Photography helps me get out some of the emotion instead of simply bottling it up"
For a long time, self-portraits were my preferred method of photography as therapy. I've produced some deeply emotional and personal self-portraits over the years for that reason. Some of them were the result of my knowing exactly what I was dealing with and what I wanted to convey. Others were simply a result of struggling with something and not quite knowing how to articulate it, so I poured my emotion into a self-portrait. At times, these were somewhat elaborate and thoroughly planned; others were more spontaneous. Both formats helped in their own way.
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| Still life has become a relatively new therapeutic tool for me. Photo: Abby Ferguson |
These days, I've been using still life as my primary outlet. Instead of putting myself in front of the camera, I'm photographing objects that I feel can convey what I'm working through in my head. They may not look as personal at first glance, but they were incredibly valuable as I processed and dealt with things going on in my life.
My method of using photography as an outlet involves conceptual work, but that doesn't have to be the case. Any type of imagery that helps you express yourself or process your emotions is beneficial, even if it isn't intentionally done.
Photography can just be for you
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| Photo: Abby Ferguson |
The bigger picture here is that photography doesn’t always have to be for an audience or a client; it can simply be for you, and that’s often where its most therapeutic power lives. I've recently written about tackling photo projects to find your creative spark again and about embracing bad photos. In all of these cases, the key is that photography can be a personal endeavor that can have a significant impact on your life. When you give yourself permission to create without pressure, photography becomes a method to clear your head, listen to yourself, notice what you’re feeling and be present with it.
Whether you’re a working photographer or a hobbyist, making space for personal projects can be therapeutic. It can reconnect you with why you picked up a camera in the first place, help you process what you’re going through and simply remind you that the act of paying attention is worthwhile in itself.
So, whether you're going through a particularly hard season or not, let me encourage you to pick up your camera with no goal other than to see what comes out. Or plan a shoot with the specific intention of showcasing your emotion or mental state. The photos don’t have to be "good." They just have to be honest, and they only ever need to mean something to you.
