12th workshop
Phototherapy Workshop
Date: May
11, 2025
The workshop provided participants with an opportunity to explore emotions through photography, using visual metaphors and storytelling as tools for self-expression and connection. The activities were designed to foster emotional awareness, creativity, and group reflection.
The session began with an exercise in emotional connection, where participants selected a photograph that resonated with them on a personal level. Each person shared why they were drawn to their chosen image and described the emotions it evoked—whether joy, nostalgia, melancholy, or curiosity. This opening activity highlighted how the same image can carry different meanings for different people, demonstrating the subjective nature of visual interpretation.
Building on this, the next segment focused on storytelling. Participants were asked to imagine the moments leading up to the scene captured in their selected photograph. They crafted brief narratives, giving names to the characters and exploring their emotional states. After sharing their stories with the group, the facilitator guided a discussion, prompting reflections such as, "What moved you most in this story?" This exercise encouraged empathy, as participants stepped into imagined lives and considered perspectives beyond their own.
The final practical activity involved photography in the present moment. Participants captured an ordinary object or fragment of their surroundings, then paired up to discuss the emotions and memories their images conveyed. This exercise reinforced the idea that even mundane details can hold personal significance when viewed with intention.
Throughout the workshop, the group reflected on the role of imagery in emotional exploration. Discussions touched on how photographs can serve as mirrors for inner experiences, how attentive observation deepens understanding, and how sharing stories creates connections. The workshop concluded with participants expressing appreciation for photography as both a therapeutic tool and a means of communication.
By integrating photography with storytelling and dialogue, the session offered a creative and introspective space for emotional discovery. The activities not only strengthened individual self-awareness but also nurtured a sense of shared experience among participants, demonstrating the power of visual media in fostering empathy and meaningful exchange.
