The Healing Benefits of Having Yourself Photographed
The beginning of Affirmation Sessions
Several years ago, I started noticing clients approaching me before, during or after personal life changes, wanting to document their growth or use photography as a mental health boost. The concepts were so unique and creative, but all had one thing in common: they were choosing to book a photo session to celebrate themselves. Boom, Affirmation Sessions were created.
The Research Behind Having Yourself Photographed…
Research shows the benefits of viewing photos of yourself, and some therapists actually use “Therapeutic Photography” methods to supplement their regular therapy sessions. Judy Weiser has spent 25 years putting her “Photo Therapy” into her practice, I recommend reading through her techniques on her website if you are interested! Portraiture can be a powerful way to document and celebrate the amazing journey that you are on, whether that be with your body, your heart, your family or your career.
An Inspiring Example of Healing Yourself Through Photography
Today I want to highlight one client in particular, Pauline. This was such a powerful shoot for me to be a part of, and it really solidified WHY I choose to do Affirmation sessions. Sometimes a boudoir, branding, or creative portrait shoot just doesn’t reach far enough. Sometimes my clients need a healing opportunity led by a neutral third party. Disclosure: I am not a trained therapist (yet), just an empathetic soul who is passionate about people. I want all my clients to reach as far as they can in every direction and feel for the parts of themselves that they love, and start building upon those things.
Photoshoot for Mental Health
Pauline came to the table with inspiration from foreign music videos, from old 60’s animations about shapes (see here and here), from modern 2d geometric painters… it was all so avante garde and inspiring, I was so thrilled! Creativity is an incredible healer, connector, and it's just FUN. Pauline had plenty of ideas and inspiration, but was also totally open to mine. She had direction and excitement for her concept, but also loved input into how to translate things into a photo shoot. She was specific but not overbearing. Even with the makeup artist we hired (shoutout to Linko Macklem!), I had Pauline draw an idea of what shapes she wanted on her face, but she was very persistent in telling the makeup artist to do what inspired her and to have fun with it.
The Reason Why
A few days before the shoot Pauline and I had a craft day. Armed with all the materials we could find, we built the props together while snacking on pizza and listening to music. For a typical client I would have done this on my own, but knowing how artistic she was, I gave her the option of helping build the scene and she accepted enthusiastically! I really got to know her better also, after our craft date I felt so much closer to her personally and really got to know who she was and why she was doing the shoot. She was excited that she had a recent win at work, and she had always wanted to do a creative shoot for herself. She was splurging on herself. She graciously shared so many wonderful reasons that I will keep close to my heart. She knew she would love the photos for years to come and they would help her appreciate herself more. So many great reasons to dote on oneself!!
Celebrating Your Body, Overcoming Trauma, and the Creative Soul
During the shoot the conversation topics flowed: overcoming trauma, celebrating her body, letting her creative soul lead, giving into her truest self, sharing her innermost creativity with the world, letting her visuals speak for her... She said "I want to be like a statue in a geometric rose garden", I was taken aback by her openness and was so grateful to be a conduit for her. I never force topics or conversations from clients and I ask them beforehand (in my questionnaires) if there are any topics we should avoid. My goal is to make an Affirmation shoot a safe space where any emotion is welcome, and by documenting the different feelings we acknowledge them, give them space and feel the power to move through them to the other side of healing.
The Legacy of having yourself photographed
Having the photos for years to come, I hope she can look back and remember how much of a wonderfully creative inspiring badass she is, and that she deserves to let her creative voice speak!