Mental Health Matters Here | Photoshoots and Emotions | Washington and Beyond.
Mental Health matters here. and this is why…
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month passing us by this year, I want to take a minute and share some incredibly valuable reasons as to why photography is a fantastic, creative, magical and healing outlet for our mental health.
So, let's talk about some self-love, confidence and how photography plays such an influential part in our lives today. As we are all pretty aware, photography is everywhere, advertisements, events, our homes in the attic or on our living room walls, but especially on our phones. We are viewing photographs and videos way more than the average person did twenty years ago.
As a portrait photographer who specializes in boudoir, I use photography as a way to inspire my clients and audience. More often than not people can be apprehensive when they step in front of the camera, but with the work I do, I make sure that every session with me is exciting, fun, and freeing! I love working with clients and seeing how much they open up and actually love being photographed, it's an experience they didn't know they needed especially for their confidence and mental health.
Being photographed also tends to go hand in hand with vulnerability, and when people feel vulnerable sometimes we get nervous, anxious or even overwhelmed, so I frequently use my expertise [as a therapist outside of photography] to help provide that little extra nudge of support during our photo sessions together.
!! Resource Break !!
For those who are going through a rough time, experienced loss, or who may need additional mental health resources, here is a list of websites and numbers to look into or contact for support. For all things mental health NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness) is an incredible place for support across the board. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please look into the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Or Dial 988 if you or someone you know is in crisis. For support if you or someone you love is dealing with additions of all tie, the WA Recovery Help Line is a go to. Lastly, the Peer Seattle Organization has a great place for resources for those in the LBGTQIA+ community supporting all needs and barriers. That can be found here: LGBTQIA+ Resources. There are SO many resources in our area for mental health support. Please stay tuned for a future blog about all the special resource and communities I love.
Photoshoots are an expression of emotions in a moment of time, they help capture these moments to create memories. I tend to find myself feeling nostalgic when I look at old photographs from my family or friends long ago or even photographs taken a year ago. The feeling of capturing the big moments and even the little moments warms my heart, it helps center myself and my focus on what I love most; sending you home with photos you'll fall absolutely in love with, because we are all beautiful inside and out!
So, in light of Mental Health Awareness Month last month, I want to give a big shoutout to all my previous clients, my followers, my readers, my audience, for stepping out of your comfort zone if you've already booked with me in the past OR those who haven't yet…then I highly suggest you do, because what's the first step towards creative healing than treating yourself to an incredible portrait or boudoir session with me?
