During Slidefest, I was asked why photography is my therapy. I don’t remember how I answered that because I was really nervous. But I know I didn’t elaborate, so I’d like to do that now.

Photography is my therapy because creating something out of nothing makes me feel exhilarated. It’s a feeling I crave. I love how it feels to work on something and see it come together. I love knowing that I can create something beautiful. I tried out so many different art forms to use as self expression, and nothing stuck with me. I tried painting, drawing, and writing. Although I loved every single one, I never felt like I could keep going with it. I knew I needed to practice, but I just wasn’t ever motivated to keep trying. But photography stuck with me. I love how I can use my negative thoughts and turn them into something that can be seen, something that people might be able to relate to. I love that I don’t have to use any words, that people can see an image and just know.
Shooting is also something I really enjoy doing. I shoot alone a lot and that sometimes feels like a form of meditation. Because I don’t really think about anything other than the picture I’m trying to create. And I mean, who doesn’t love getting into freezing dirty water, or burying themselves in a pile of dirt and dead plants right?

Here’s the latest image from the 52 Week Project, the theme was Faceless Portrait.

This was so much fun to make. I used a desk lamp and lots and lots of damp tissue. I almost never shoot without natural light so it was fun to experiment with this.
Next week’s theme is (picking something now, drum roll): hair.

What XD

2014-2017 52 Week Project Thoughts 52 week project amani alshaali art as therapy challenge fine art photographer fine art photography inspiration photography photography challenge photoshop photoshop edit therapy thoughts