PICTURE MY GRIEF.

Exploring grief through photography.

  • I FOUND A SMALL LEMON TREE.

  • LOSS & CHANGE.

  • LOSS & CHANGE.

  • PHOTOGRAPHY ZINE WORKSHOP.

  • PHOTOGRAPHY ZINE WORKSHOP.

  • I FOUND A SMALL LEMON TREE.

What Is Picture My Grief?

An arts and health initiative exploring grief through photography

Picture My Grief is an arts and health initiative using photography to explore experiences of grief following the death of a loved one. The initiative creates space for people to express loss visually, particularly when words feel difficult or insufficient. Through participatory projects, exhibitions, and research, Picture My Grief centres lived experience, care, and creative agency. Rooted in a photovoice approach and ethical, consent-led practice, the initiative aims to contribute to wider conversations around bereavement, visibility, and care, while developing models that can be embedded within community and health settings.

What Is Photovoice?

Photovoice is a participatory approach that uses photography to help people explore and communicate their lived experiences. Within Picture My Grief, a photovoice approach means participants create their own images and decide what those images represent. Photography is used as a tool for reflection, expression, and shared understanding, rather than documentation or diagnosis. Photovoice is widely used within arts, health, and community research contexts.

Photography as a therapeutic tool.

Photography can be a powerful tool for exploring grief and promoting well-being. By capturing moments, emotions, and memories, individuals can process their experiences and find solace in the visual expression of their thoughts.

Photography and Grief.

Mindful photography, a practice that encourages intentional and present-moment awareness, can be especially beneficial for those grieving. By focusing on the act of taking a photograph, individuals can shift their attention away from distressing thoughts and find moments of peace.

How Photography Can Help.

Emotional Release. Capturing images can provide an outlet for emotions, allowing individuals to express their feelings without words.

Memory Keeping. Photographs can serve as tangible reminders of loved ones, preserving memories and fostering connection.

Mindfulness and Presence. The act of taking photographs can anchor individuals to the present moment, reducing anxiety and promoting mindfulness.

Self-Expression. Through photography, individuals can explore their own experiences and perspectives, finding meaning and purpose in their grief.

Community Building. Sharing photographs with others can foster a sense of connection and belonging, offering support and understanding.

  • “Grief isn’t just a reminder that someone’s died, but that they’ve lived”

    Alka Rajput

  • "The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera."

    Dorothea Lange

  • "Photography is the story I fail to tell with words."

    Ansel Adams

  • "Photography is the art of seeing."

    Ansel Adams

  • “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing.”

    A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

  • “Grief is the price we pay for love.”

    Queen Elizabeth

  • “That’s really what grief has taught me. That I can survive. I used to be afraid that if I experienced grief it would overcome me and I wouldn’t be able to survive the flood of it, that if I actually felt it I wouldn’t be able to get back up. It’s taught me that I can feel it and it won’t swallow me whole. But we come from a culture where we think people have to be strong. I’m a big believer in being vulnerable, open to grief. That is strength. You can’t know joy unless you know profound sadness. They don’t exist without each other.”

    Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Our Approach.

  • Participatory photography

  • Photovoice methodology

  • Ethical, consent-led creative practice

Activities Include.

  • Photo-taking: Capture moments that inspire and uplift you.

  • Photo-interactive activities: Engage in creative exercises that spark imagination and self-expression.

  • Photo-viewing, posing, planning, and discussing: Explore visual storytelling, share perspectives, and collaborate with others.

Benefits.

  • Improved Well-being: Experience a boost in mood and overall satisfaction.

  • Reduced Anxiety: Find solace and peace through visual expression.

  • Enhanced Mental Health: Cultivate mindfulness, resilience, and emotional intelligence.

  • Greater Life Enjoyment: Discover new perspectives, connect with others, and create lasting memories.