A photographer has revealed how participating in therapeutic photography workshops has helped him to heal following a mental breakdown.
David McKinney, from Ballymena, started attending therapeutic photography sessions at Belfast Exposed two years ago.
Having previously attempted other forms of art therapy he explained that photography enabled him to express how he was feeling when he “couldn’t find the right words.”
“Photographs almost became like a second language because I wasn’t able to describe what I was feeling after my breakdown but I could show it through photography,” he told The Irish News.
Established by Belfast Exposed’s community engagement manager, Mervyn Smyth the workshops aim to address issues such as trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, loneliness, and other barriers to wellbeing.
By opening dialogue through photography and providing a safe space, they help participants overcome isolation, build skills, and create opportunities for growth and recovery.
David added that the workshops also gave him an opportunity to connect with like-minded, empathetic people and create a sense of community.
“The idea is that by photographing things you’re disrupting your negative thoughts but more than that after a while you become part of a group.
“That social element gives you something to look forward to and helps break that cycle of negativity and gives you another layer of support.”
Since participating in the workshops David has gone on to achieve a master’s degree in photography at Ulster University and in 2024 he launched his first solo exhibition Beyond the Tide.
He credits much of his success to the support and encouragement he received from Belfast Exposed.
“When I first started doing photography, I felt like I was a failure but after each session when we’d taken our photographs we had to send them into the gallery and one of the facilitators, Sam Robb, would always give me really encouraging feedback.
“And that was really a beacon of light for me and made me feel good and over time that built up my confidence and that’s what led to me creating a portfolio and start thinking about pursuing photography as a career.
“Now my past life as a chartered surveyor is in the rearview mirror and there’s a new world in front of me that I wouldn’t have even considered before had it not been for the encouragement of Belfast Exposed.”
Much of David’s work aims to promote, encourage and inspire conversations about mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding the subject.
This was influenced by the fact he has lost three friends to suicide since 2016 and while experiencing his own mental health struggles became a missing person with suicidal intent.
“One of my biggest problems when I was in my downward spiral was not talking about it,” he explained.
“And when I had my breakdown and I was a missing person my wife felt that I’d lied to her for 15 years because she didn’t know what was going on inside.
“But, over time, photography has enabled me to talk about it.
“I think I was embarrassed and ashamed before but now I’m not because I realise that since sharing what happened to me that lots of friends and people I know have come forward with similar experiences.
“And that’s emboldened me to use my work to try and help others talk about what they’re thinking and feeling.”
This April Belfast Exposed will host its second Healing Through Photography Conference in a bid to share and promote the benefits of therapeutic photography.
The gallery will also hold a series of special exhibitions in order to give conference-goers a chance to experience work by Northern Irish photographers who have used the practice to reflect on their mental health which will include a selection of David’s work.
“To be part of Belfast Exposed’s conference is a real privilege because it gives me an opportunity to give back after everything, they’ve done for me.
“But also, I would love to see other people be given the same opportunity because I’ve lived the experience and it’s allowed me to be where I am now and has allowed me to find the joy in life again.
“When I first started attending the workshops most of the other people in the group were off photographing flowers, waterfalls and pretty things like that, whereas I was focusing on the darker elements.
“But gradually over time I started falling into step with the rest of them and now I do take pictures of flowers and waterfalls and my photographs are brighter than they once were.
“So, to raise awareness of the healing power of photography through things like this conference is monumental.”
Reflecting on his experience over the last two years David encourages anyone who is struggling with their mental health to “give therapeutic photography a go.”
“If you’re feeling low or depressed or having dark thoughts that is the time to avail of this opportunity so that you can avoid spiralling.
“It’s a chance to be in a safe, empathetic environment and to learn how to see things differently and change your mindset and make it more positive.”