In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I’m writing a post about creativity as self-care and how photography helps me to be a happy and fulfilled human being. Which in my book is the same as sane.
How I see it is that our mental health is just as important as our physical health. In my experience, the two are intertwined. And just as we take care of our bodies to stay fit and healthy, we should take care of our minds to stay happy and fulfilled.
Any regular activity that you enjoy and that brings out the best in you will help you do this. As it happens, I was lucky enough to discover at a young age that photography was, and still is, this thing for me. It brings me immense joy and fulfillment and has enriched my life in ways I can’t even begin to fathom.
In this article about creativity as self-care, I want to share with you seven reasons why photography has helped me cultivate a strong sense of self and improved my well-being.
From fostering mindfulness and self-expression to providing a sense of purpose and creating meaningful connections, these attributes of photography have been invaluable to me, and I hope they can be the same for you. So let’s dive in!
Table of contents
#1 Photography is a Creative Outlet
For me, the #1 reason photography keeps me sane is that it allows me to express myself and stay connected to my creativity. Creativity as self-care is such a strong tool because making things is an essential need I have, and I know I’m not alone in this desire.
It’s a great feeling when I create something new that has a place in the world simply because I made it.
I think we are all born with the creativity gene. It’s literally encoded in our DNA to be creative. We have to be creative, we have to create in order to thrive.
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Unfortunately, as we go through life, we lose touch with this vital part of us. We say things like, oh, I’m not a creative person, I don’t know how to draw, I sing out of tune, etc. This usually happens as a result of an unintended, yet nasty comment a teacher, parent, or other authority figure made about something we created in our childhood.
And slowly we’ve started to believe this limiting voice in our head that says we’re not creative. And as a result, we lose access to this wonderful tool of creativity as self-care. Well, I’m here to tell you that you are a deeply creative person. You just need to open up to the possibility that you are creative! That’s all it takes. Believe in this innate ability and it will unfold.
You know, photography is an excellent outlet for creativity. You can start today by using your smartphone camera. No excuses! Try to look at the world in a brand-new way and let yourself be embraced by its beauty.
Learn to be open to expressing yourself in a way that is unique to you, give space to your creativity, and silence your limiting inner voice.
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#2 Photography Encourages Mindfulness
In my experience, photography is one of the most mindful activities we can do. At least when we’re intentional, of course. Not when we’re snapping away with our smartphones, producing quantity rather than quality.
When done intentionally, photography encourages us to be present in the moment. We’re so focused on the beauty and wonder that’s appearing in the viewfinder from moment to moment that nothing else enters our minds. We’re able to let go of worries about the past or the future and focus on what’s happening right now.
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Intentional photography inspires us to slow down and engage with our environment in a mindful way. As a result, we develop a greater sense of awareness and appreciation for the world around us.
As you can see, photography is a powerful tool for mindfulness because it requires you to look at the world with fresh eyes and find beauty in unexpected and often ordinary places.
Mindful photography is the perfect antidote to the fast-paced, always-on culture that dominates modern life. And just so you know, mindfulness has been shown to improve our overall sense of well-being and to reduce stress, anxiety, and even depression.
So the next time you pick up your camera, take a few moments to breathe deeply and take a good look at what you’re about to capture. Don’t be satisfied with the first few shots. Instead, walk around your subject, connect with it, immerse yourself in it, and lose all sense of time in your effort to portray it with the love and devotion it deserves.
When you photograph like this, I assure you, past and future no longer exist, you inhabit the now.
#3 Photography Fosters Connections
When I’m photographing people, creating a connection is the most important step for me. I want to create a space where people feel comfortable, where they can let their guard down and enter into a co-creative process.
Really opening up in front of a camera and letting yourself be seen in all your flawed beauty is a very vulnerable position to be in. This can only happen if the people I photograph trust me. And the only way for me to get to that point of trust is to connect with them.
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You might think that this connection thing is only necessary when you’re photographing people, but that’s definitely not the case. At least not for me. I also want to connect with the majestic beauty that I find myself in when I photograph nature, for instance. Connecting to the thing, scene, or person is the only way I know how to make meaningful photographs.
You see, this whole connection thing is not just about connecting to the outside world. It’s ultimately about connecting with myself.
And I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how important connection to self is in terms of our sense of well-being. A strong connection to yourself fosters self-awareness and resilience. And we can never have enough of those!
So get out there with your camera and practice this process. Start simply with an inanimate object, such as a tree. Observe your subject and your thoughts, feelings, and emotions around it. Then ask yourself what your intention is with this image. Why do you want to photograph it? Try to incorporate that into your photos.
#4 Photography Tells Stories
I love telling visual stories. Big or small, it doesn’t matter. I am blown away when I tell the story of a newborn baby’s first breath. But I’m equally awe-struck when I tell the story of a little flower fading away.
Well, almost, because truth be told, photographing births has actually been one of the highlights of my career as a photographer. The point is that the storytelling aspects of whatever scene or subject I’m photographing bring me tremendous joy.
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Because, like creativity, storytelling is in our DNA. We live for stories and photography fuels that desire in a unique way. A single image can open up an entire world and have a profound impact on the viewer. It has the power to transport us through time and bear witness to stories that unfolded before we were even born.
And photography is generous, allowing all of us to tell the stories of our lives. And in doing so, to have a love affair with life.
The way I see it, photography allows us to document, revisit, and cherish our past experiences. Isn’t that the most beautiful thing?
So make an effort to document the meaningful moments of your day, because together they tell the story of your life. Don’t limit yourself to the so-called highlights. You know, life is really lived in the in-between moments.
A wonderful way to commit to this approach to storytelling photography is to start a photo-a-day project.
#5 Photography Provides Access
Another wonderful aspect of photography is that it allows me to capture and experience things that may not be accessible to everyone.
After all these years, it still feels like such a privilege that people invite me into their lives. Sometimes it’s for an assignment like a birth documentary or a day in the live session and sometimes because I simply ask permission to be there.
Like the other day when I photographed a traditional dance class for boys in the center of Ubud, Bali. It was amazing and I wouldn’t have had that experience if I hadn’t asked to photograph the lesson.
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There are numerous situations like this that have given me the most beautiful experiences just because I was there with a camera. It gives me a greater sense of perspective and insight into the human experience.
Being present in these different worlds with a camera in my hands enriches not only the experience but also my life.
What world would you like to access with your camera? You can document a local event, attend your daughter’s soccer game, explore local businesses, and more. The possibilities are endless. You’ll be amazed at how welcoming people are if you just ask. Offering to send them the photos also helps 😉
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#6 Photography Is Multi-faceted
It caters to the multi-faceted human being that I am, as we all are in a way.
There are times when I look for the movement and excitement of photographing people. I have to be on my toes all the time, hyper-present, trying not to miss any compelling moments. I enjoy the fast-paced presence of people, moving subjects, connections, and interactions unfolding before my eyes when I’m in the middle of the action.
And there are other times when I look for the contemplative and meditative aspects. So I can slow down, and let my breath and energy drop deep into my belly. I observe, completely absorbed in the beauty, and I become one with the wonder I’m photographing.
I have to be a completely different person and photographer for these two extremes. It is a mirror of who I am.
The beauty of photography is that it can be all of those things. Whether you love the bustle of the streets or thrive in the serenity of nature, or if you’re like me and feel both, photography has got you covered!
Ask yourself how photography can encourage you to discover new aspects of yourself.
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#7 Photography Allows Contribution
I’ve used my camera to contribute in many ways, and that’s one of, if not the most fulfilling aspect of photography for me.
Often photography allows me to contribute on a larger scale and create important stories. Like the story I photographed of the people in the Acholi Quarter in Kampala, Uganda, for a small NGO that supports the children of refugees.
I think one of the superpowers of photography is to bridge very different human experiences. To inspire empathy. To show our wholeness in our diversity. And To bask in our shared humanity.
And that’s what I strive to convey in my photos. Not the things that divide us but the things that unite us. I want to create a visual story that can help people connect on a deeper level, even if the circumstances of the story are hard to relate to.
So how are you going to make a difference? How are you going to use your camera and your skills to raise awareness or support a cause you’re passionate about?
Why not start small and close to home? Volunteer for a local charity, it can be the start of a wonderful fulfilling journey!
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Final Thoughts
Creativity as self-care and more specifically photography has been and still is an incredibly powerful tool for me to navigate the highs and lows of life and stay connected to the core of my being in the process.
It is my hope that it can do the same for you. So hold on to your camera and start exploring the world around you – and inside you!
Author Bio & Portrait
Karin van Mierlo is a travel and documentary photographer and a photography mentor with over 30 years of experience. She has worked with (online) magazines, artists, companies, entrepreneurs, and families. She also volunteered as a photographer for several charity causes.
A few years ago Karin founded Photography Playground, an online photography platform where she helps new photographers make the photos they dream of with overwhelm-free training and creative empowerment. She is a slow photography crusader.
