Behind the Lens: Why My Photos are Healing and Meaningful…
“Each image I capture is a unique moment in my life and truly is, a work of LOVE”
We all have our “Why” behind what we love to do. It’s our driving force that sparks dedication, creativity, and generates happiness.
There is a reason why I love photography and why I love creating photos. That reason is very personal and has helped me perservere through many difficult times in my life. That is why I say: Each image captures a unique moment in my life and truly is, a work of LOVE. Through my photography I am sharing my life, my heart, my soul, my journey, and the lessons I’ve learned from engaging with my environments through listening to my intuition and spirit.
My Why:
I first learned about the art of photography in college. I had been exposed to and trained in various forms of art as a child with drawing being my major talent, so I took photography courses as a means to regain confidence in myself and find a place of happiness as I struggled through the academic and personal challenges that life in college presented to me. In the process I uncovered a new talent and a new layer to myself. Through my photography, I felt empowered and seen in a way academics never made me feel. With my photos, I could show others subtle and peculiar wonders in the environments we all frequented and bring them a sense of awe about a world we all shared. It was affirming to know that people valued and found beauty in how I viewed the world.
As I transitioned through medical school, medical residency, and practicing as a Med Peds doctor, photography became my anchor to an internal sense of contentment when I needed reprieve from my daily stressors and a reconnection to who I was. As a Black womyn living in America, and having gone through those educational transitions, I constantly encounter barriers that exist to tell me that I am not enough and don’t matter, but my photography however emphatically shows me the complete opposite. Those captured moments and how I feel when I take them always exist in a plane of significance that can’t be drowned out by systems of oppression. This truth has been spiritually and emotionally healing for me.
What’s next?:
At the intersection of being a Black physician, patient, and artist, I am keenly aware of how important the design and appearance of healthcare spaces are to patients’ feeling welcomed, safe, and respected. Through my photos and other digital artwork I attempt to harness the healing power of nature for the benefit of those patients that are most marginalized in our society and in the healthcare system. With my personal realtionship to photography and my personal journey to become a physician, my art is unique in that it shows a perspective of nature that sets a tone of compassion and respect in healthcare environments where patients like me often feel unseen and unheard. My art can help patients feel safe, seen and valued. My mission is to get this art into as many healthcare spaces (and other stress workplaces) as I can.
Are you an artist too? Why do you create your art? Share in the comments below!
Background graphic is an abstract digital painting by Dr. Robin D. Collin
