garden
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THERAPY
Therapeutic Photography Exercises
Here are some ideas of ways you can bring photography into your self discovery journey!
Remember - there is no right or wrong here. Try not to think too much, and let your intuition guide you. Your images can be literal, or abstract, black and white or color!
Scavenger Hunt
Grab your camera and set off to take 15 photos on a specific theme. Some themes might be: an emotion you're feeling, dreams/goals/aspirations, desired qualities, peace and calmness, strength.
Story Telling Through Photography
Think about a current situation or past experience that is sticking with you. Can you start from the beginning and tell the story of the experience in 10 photographs?
Self Portraits
Think about the different versions of yourself. Maybe you act a certain way at home, and it changes slightly at work, and even more with your friends. Can you capture each of those versions of yourself? Do you notice any similarites or differences?
Reflection Using Old Photographs
Gather some old photographs and a journal. As you look through the images, notice what comes up. Jot down any memories, current thoughts, emotions, or what is happening in your body as you look.
Mindful Nature Walk
Grab a camera to practice mindfulness! Leave your headphones at home, and put your phone on Do not disturb. Take a walk, focusing on things such as color, texture, sound and capture that as an image. Try going on a walk to a new place, but also see what you can notice on a familar route.
Reflection on Minimalism
Grab your camera or some magazines, and find some minimalist photographs. Remember, less is more. Focus on one color, one shape, one texture, one interesting focal point. As you look at them, take time to check in with your thoughts and feelings. Are there certain colors, patterns, or vibes that influence your mood?
Exploring Light and Emotions
There are two ways to do this exercise. First, pay attention to the light in your environment. Photograph it in ways that interest you. Secondly, you can use artifical light such as flashlights or lamps to create a visual you find appealing. After you take or gather some photographs that use light in an interesting way, notice any memories or thoughts that come up with the different qualities of light. Do any of them trigger something strong in you?
Daily Photography Challenge
Take one photo a day! It can be any, at anytime. Maybe you'd like to take a few throughout the day and chose the 1 that best represents your day, or maybe you focus on a feeling and take a photo whenever you notice that feeling during the day. At the end of the week, put them all together and see what you notice!
Visual Affirmations
Take a moment and think of some affirmations that resonate with you, that you currently try to live by or ones that you want to embrace. Can you take a photo that represents that? Or maybe you would like to edit it and add words, or use photographs from magazines to create a visualization of your affirmation.
Emotional Expression
We all experience on average 400 emotional experiences a day. Spend a day tracking which emotions you notice the most throughout your day. Create different images that represent those. Maybe they are self portraits, or abstract, still life or even landscapes.
Community Connection
Feeling connected to your community is important to feel a sense of belonging, support, identity and purpose. Travel around your community taking pictures. What are some important landmarks - to you or the community. Are there any neighbors you'd like to photograph and talk more about their story? Create a short photobook that tells the story of your community from your perspective, not forgetting to include your role!
Gratitude
There is a lot of science behind the benefits of gratitude and keeping a gratitude journal. Writing isn't a habit everyone can keep up with, so why not create a folder in your photos app on your phone that includes photos of things that you're grateful, that make you happy, that bring a sense of peace or joy.