My fascination with photography began in childhood, long before I understood its emotional depth or narrative power. I grew up flicking through family albums – heavy books filled with images that told the complex story of my cross-cultural family, shaped by Polish, German and Dutch roots. These albums were more than collections of moments; they were visual narratives that held memories, emotions and histories that words alone could never express.
In those early years, I unknowingly learned that photographs have the ability to preserve meaning, hold multiple truths at once, and offer a lens into the worlds of others.
Discovering the power of visual storytelling
My interest deepened during my first apprenticeship at a creative agency, where I witnessed how images could shape perceptions, communicate ideas and tell intricate stories. Later, working as a Marketing Manager, I collaborated on numerous photography and videography projects. Each one reinforced my understanding that a single image can communicate something profound – an idea, a message, a mood – far more quickly and intuitively than language might.
These experiences strengthened my belief in photography as a unique form of visual storytelling. It can distil abstract thoughts into concrete expressions, evoke emotions immediately, and create a connection between the creator and the viewer.
Photography as self-expression and reflection
A turning point came during the four years I spent travelling around the world. Photography became my companion, my journal and my mirror. Paired with writing, it helped me document and process the shifts, challenges, discoveries and emotions that emerged on the road.
I realised then that photography not only captures what we see – it shapes how we see. It can anchor us in the present, help us make sense of the past, and influence the stories we tell about ourselves.
Since 2008, my work as a photo artist, especially in documentary photography, has shown me how deeply images resonate with viewers. During exhibitions, the most meaningful moments were always the conversations that unfolded in front of the photographs – the personal memories, associations and emotions that people projected onto the images. It was there that I noticed something essential: photographs invite dialogue. They make space for stories.
From photography to therapeutic photography
The therapeutic potential of photography became increasingly clear during my Master’s studies in Expressive Arts Therapy. From 2019 onward, I started incorporating photography into therapeutic and community settings, observing how it helped people express experiences that felt too complex to articulate verbally. A photograph can be a starting point, a bridge, a container. It can represent a memory, a mood, a question, or a part of oneself that is difficult to put into words. And this is where therapeutic photography differs from simply taking pictures: It is structured, intentional, reflective and deeply personal.
Today, in my work as an Art Therapist in a psychiatric setting, I often use phototherapy methods when verbal expression feels too restrictive, or as a gentle warm-up for clients new to creative work. The results continually reaffirm how powerful this medium can be in helping people explore identity, emotion and meaning.
How I use therapeutic photography now
Photography has become a central thread within Life Story Conversations and Reflective Case Consultations for professionals. In these sessions, I often use therapeutic photography techniques such as:
- exploring personal images as “story triggers”
- using photographs to reflect on identity, relationships or transitions
- creating symbolic or metaphorical images to express inner experiences
- visual journaling
- mindful noticing through the lens
- using images to anchor insights or reframe narratives
For some, a photograph helps unlock memories or emotions. For others, it becomes a tool for self-compassion, grounding or meaning-making. And for professionals in helping roles, photographs can offer new perspectives on challenging cases, emotional countertransference or complex relational dynamics.
Whether we are tracing the arc of your life story or reflecting on a situation that weighs on you, photography can act as a mirror – sometimes gentle, sometimes revealing, always honest.
If you are curious to explore this medium yourself …
If you feel drawn to understand your story through images, to explore meaningful memories, or to use photography as a way to reflect more deeply on personal or professional experiences, you are warmly invited to discover this approach with me.
Therapeutic photography forms a natural part of my 1:1 Life Story Conversations and my Reflective Case Consultations. You don’t need artistic skills or technical knowledge – just openness, curiosity and a willingness to explore. If you’d like to experience this powerful medium in a supportive, creative setting, I’m here to guide you.