In my job, my favorite days are the ones when I can just take pictures. I’m trying out a new camera or a new film, so I have nothing on the agenda other than heading to some places that are beautiful or interesting (or, ideally, both) and capturing images of them. At the end of the day, I’m usually tired, sweaty, have new blisters on my feet, and feel fantastic.
But those days are pretty rare. I’m often consumed by other things, the nitty-gritty of writing, work, life management, and everything else. Trying to be more efficient, for reasons of money and time, means that I tend to take my photographs in large infrequent chunks, and some research I’ve seen is making me reconsider that approach.
The mental health benefits of a regular photography habit are well documented. British photography retailer MPB, announcing its partnership with mental health charity Mind, points to a study in the peer-reviewed journal Health which finds that taking a photograph every day provides tangible benefits in terms of mental wellbeing.
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British photographer, broadcaster and passionate nature advocate Chris Packham firmly believes in the power of photography to bring about positive mental change. “Photography has always been a conscious way to address chronic or specific mental health issues in my life,” she says.
‘When I look through the lens, I am so absorbed in the lens, so intensely involved in the technical and creative process, that the rest of the world disappears. It’s just me and the photo. External anxieties are relegated to oblivion and I get maximum relief.’
“For me, photography is a key part of a portfolio of proven therapies that consistently improve positive mental health outcomes.”
And it’s not just about taking pictures! Even just seeing them can have a positive effect. MPB also cites a 2024 survey by Fujifilm, in which 80% of respondents reported that viewing old photographs gave them feelings of happiness and calm, and helped them reduce anxiety.
Building a daily habit
I thank MPB and Mind for making me think more carefully about how I relate to photography. It’s also worth noting that the retailer is putting its money where its mouth is and donating £1 to Mind for every item bought or sold on its market in August, working towards its target of £50,000 a year for the charity.
The campaign made me think that I’m missing out on the conscious benefits of a daily (or almost daily) photo-taking habit. When I use my camera, I don’t look at my phone. I’m not even thinking about the damn thing; It’s usually in my backpack. I think this could be of much greater mental benefit if you did it regularly for shorter sessions.
Our camera editor, Tim Coleman, tried screenless photography for a week and found that it made him feel more immersed and connected to his shot. Even when using a digital camera, it felt like a digital detox – something people often say they want more of!
So if you, like me, tend to plan your photography around long days that you only enjoy once in a while, it might be worth thinking about ways to incorporate a more frequent habit too.
Take your camera out to the station to capture details of your local community. Take a twenty-minute walk during your lunch break to see what places are developing around you. Not only will it benefit your photography, but it could also have a real, positive and tangible impact on your mental well-being.
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