Photography As Therapy

A Deeper Look at the Process

Let me give you an example how creativity can have a positive impact on who we are. Early in my career as a therapist, I was in charge of a self-esteem building program in the schools. Every week I would meet with students from the third through fifth grade and we would discuss their concerns, problems and hopes. One of my favorite exercises was the Magic Box. It was just a small container wrapped in plain paper, but over the years it became a sacred object. The children would use their imagination to place anything important from their lives into it. Sometimes it was fear of the dark, loss of a pet, sadness about losing a friend, hope for the end of war, happiness about getting a good grade, the excitement of learning how to play a new sport, the pride of making something beautiful. Everything went in there and it all fit because imagination has no boundaries.

They made what was inside themselves more visible, more understandable and they were supported. It made a difference.

I believe that as photographers, we have our own version of that Magic Box. Ours has a lens on it. With it we can look outside and inside at the same time. We can use our imagination to find what we need to let go of and what we need to embrace.