Photography in reflective practice
Photography can have a powerful and practical role to prompt reflections and conversation. Previously we’ve looked at how photography can help to demonstrate impact in the long term (see HERE for details) in today’s blog we’ll be looking at how photography can communicate impact in a more immediate timeframe.
I was commissioned by GLINT a Social Enterprise that delivers Horse Assisted Therapy sessions to support people with their wellbeing. Our task was to create some candid photographs as part of their Mind Matters project (read more about that project HERE ).
The cards offer a glimpse into the wonderfully supportive space that Heidi and the team at GLINT create during their workshops and show how people have engaged in that process. The challenge, especially when working with a relatively small group of people was to be able to work alongside Heidi and the group of participants in such a way so as not to disturb them as they engage in the activities and workshop exercises but to also be present and part of the group too.
The images were incorporated into the workshops and we asked participants to write down any words or phrases to describe what the images represented to them. After the project was completed we combined these words with the images and printed them onto small cards to serve as a keepsake of their shared experiences and conversations during the project.
The cards also act as a visual and physical demonstration of the impact created by the project on those taking part - there is something about the tangible nature of holding a photograph vs viewing it on the screen.
Heidi from GLINT said “We wanted some very candid shots to document our project, as well is to inform the content for the following week’s session and Our Creative Connection achieved this in a very unobtrusive way”.
“Chris was a joy to work with. He took the time to understand what we were looking for in the project outcomes and delivered exactly what we needed”.
“Chris easily engaged with the participants, making them feel at ease and not detracting from their experience in any way. Some participants were uncomfortable about having their photos taken, but Chris was so discreet in capturing the images that we were all surprised to see some of the shots you presented us with. This meant that participants were able to enjoy the workshops without feeling self-conscious. And, the added bonus was that we ended up with a set of images that all participants were happy to have a copy of, despite initial reservations.
“Having a photographer who understood the need for sensitivity in both the function of capturing the images, but also in the content of the images too was hugely beneficial to our project, as well as having a set of images that could be used to evidence the project, without compromising individuals who were uncomfortable about pictures being taken.”
I am hugely grateful to Heidi for the invitation to be a part of this project it was a great privilege to be present and alongside people as they worked together to create a safe and supportive space in which they could each express and challenge themselves - a deeply moving experience that I cherish.
My wish for everyone who took part is that these images act as a touchstone, an opportunity to be transported back to the safe and welcoming space that was created during the Mind Matters project and a gateway into remembering the conversations and connections too.
