From Grief to Growth: Using Photography as a Tool for Mindfulness and Creativity
How Photography Can Support Healing
On February 14th of last year, I celebrated Valentine’s Day with my husband. After the most wonderful dinner at our favorite restaurant, we went home and anticipated smooth sailing for the new year. Our kids were on their way to adulthood and independence, and we felt time for the two of us was finally in the books. The next day, my husband called me right at lunchtime and told me he had just been let go from his job. My first reaction was that this must be a joke. But it wasn’t. My life seemed to crumble under my fingers, like a rug had been pulled out from under my feet. Only a few weeks later, my aunt in Germany called me to let me know that she was very sick and had very little time left. The next four months were a whirlwind as I divided my life between two continents—my home, kids, and old life in Los Angeles, and the unfolding responsibilities and challenges awaiting me in Germany.
During this time, my husband found new work in Germany, adding another layer of complexity to my divided life. As I took care of my aunt and worked through the last few months of her life and the challenges of cancer treatment, I worried about my marriage, my business, and my family. I was miserable while pretending to be strong and unfazed.
Images like these immediately transport me back to last summer in Germany.
My aunt passed away in late July, and after taking care of the details of her death, I returned to Los Angeles. For the first few weeks, I slept a lot in the now empty house. So much grief. So many questions. The world seemed like a dull and hostile place to me.
Photography as a Healing Tool
During this confusing time in my life, I continued to use my camera. Not because I felt particularly inspired, just because this is what I do. I have talked a lot about the healing power of art in this blog, but it never became clearer to me than at the beginning of this year, when looking at my images of 2024, how much photography is a medium of beauty and therapy to me. While going through approximately 15,000 images, the grief and joy of last year hit me once again full force. So many of my photos were in black and white. That in itself is remarkable, as I love color more than anything in the world. My subject choice was very different—instead of calm sunsets and relaxing beach vibes, there were churches and open windows, hands, and quiet moments, but also joyful times with friends and family that suddenly meant so much more to me. Or maybe the meaning was the same, but I was just a little more present and mindful about our time together. Another thing became important to me: plants. I started taking endless amounts of images of plants. The symbolism of endurance, growth, and renewal gave me hope in a time of despair.
Capturing the energy of plants is time consuming and transformative. Exotic plants at a botanical garden, a tree at a park or some store bought plants in your home, all are patient subjects.
Without my images, I would have forgotten a lot of the things - the details, the little moments.
I am grateful for every time I could find the energy to pick up my camera and document a moment of peace, love, or just being. 2024 wasn’t the year of great art for my photography. It was a year of documentary photography. Not many of the images will make it into a frame on the wall; even fewer will ever be shared on social media. But these images might have the potential to make peace in my mind with the fleetingness of life. These pictures allow me to reflect on what is gone and what is left. They also give me hope and a perspective to keep moving. To keep exploring and building. To do the things that matter to me and not dwell on the past.
Shells, fossils and little knickknacks sitting on the window sill of my aunt’s apartment will always remind me of the wonder and curiosity I felt when visiting her.
Reflect on Your Photography Journey
So at the beginning of another round around the sun, I invite you to take a look at your collection of pictures from last year and reflect on your why—the reason you pick up your camera. What motivates you? Why do you take pictures? This kind of evaluation can help you correct your course for the year to come or become more clear about your intentions. Knowing why we do the work as photographers will allow us to become more in tune with our inner voice and help us find our style.
Questions for Self-Reflection:
What patterns do you see in your images?
Which moments were most meaningful to you?
How did your photography evolve over the year?
Today, I heard a quote: "Through every shadow, there is a light waiting to be captured.” Photography isn’t just about the image—it’s about the journey, the growth, and the beauty of seeing the world through new eyes.
I am hopeful that this year will be full of colorful beauty and mindful moments that will ask me to pick up my camera and capture them in my way. And I am grateful to know that through grief, challenging times, love, and friendship, I am one step closer to becoming the photographer of my dreams.
Keep Exploring
If you're drawn to the meditative side of photography, these posts offer more ideas and inspiration for staying present and connected through your creative work:
Photography Didn’t Heal Me—But It Helped Me Come Back to Life
A personal reflection on how photography supported emotional recovery and offered a quiet space for presence and expression.
Color and Emotion in Photography
Discover how your emotional state can guide color choices—and how those colors can carry meaning beyond the frame.
Capturing Emotion Through Photography
A meditation on letting go of control in both photography and life, with the ocean as a powerful metaphor for flow and feeling.
Creative Flow: Beyond the 365 Project
Let go of pressure and perfection. Learn how to stay creatively engaged in a way that feels nourishing, not draining.
Interested in more fun photography content?
For those celebrating milestones, check out Robyn’s insightful blog post, "How to Successfully Prep for Your Graduation Party," where this premiere San Diego senior photographer shares tips to make your special day unforgettable—perfect for capturing moments that matter most!