Three BYUH students share photography serves as a therapeutic outlet for self-expression, emotional processing and personal growth
In an era where visual storytelling is more accessible than ever, photography has emerged as a powerful tool for self-expression and mental well-being, according to the Global Photo Community Website. Whether capturing the beauty of nature, documenting everyday life or exploring self-portraiture, individuals find solace and therapeutic value in the art of photography, the website says. BYU–Hawaii students who are passionate about photography shared how it helps them find peace and emotional clarity.
Escaping through the lens
Kristian Galang, a senior majoring in business management with supply chain and marketing emphasis from the Philippines, shared his personal journey with photography and how it has influenced his mental health. “I found that capturing moments through my camera helped me focus on the present and appreciate the beauty around me,” he explained. Photography became more than just a pastime—it was a form of therapy that allowed him to express emotions he struggled to articulate, he said.
Galang shared photography allows him to offer service and spread joy to others. “Photography is a wonderful way to make people happy. When they are pleased with the results of a photoshoot, it brings me happiness too,” he explained. Galang said he often goes on photo walks, capturing the emotions of people and the beauty of his surroundings, and he finds this process to be deeply rewarding.
He also shared how photography helps him navigate his emotions, both positive and negative. “When I’m feeling sad, I tend to capture darker, high-contrast images, but when I’m happy, I gravitate toward lighter shots,” he said. Through this, Galang said he has learned all emotions are valid. Just as these elements— light, contrast and composition—are crucial in photography, people’s emotions are equally essential to their lives, he said.
Galang said individuals turn to photography as a way to escape daily stressors and find comfort in creative expression. “The act of taking photos encourages mindfulness, urging individuals to slow down, observe their surroundings, and find beauty in the mundane,” he said.
Through his interactions with others, Galang said he has encountered people who use photography as a coping mechanism for anxiety and depression. He said revisiting photographs can reinforce feelings of gratitude and joy. “Some find comfort in nature photography because it encourages them to spend time outdoors. Others use self-portrait photography as a means of self-reflection and self-acceptance,” he noted.
The art of seeing and feeling
Douglas Ferreira, a senior majoring in biology, said photography is more than pressing a shutter button—it is an emotional experience. “When I go out to take pictures, I forget about my problems. It’s just me, my camera and the moment,” he shared.
His fascination with photography began, he said, when his father gave him a Fujifilm camera for his birthday. Though not a professional DSLR, he said it was a powerful tool that allowed him to experiment with landscapes and the beauty of everyday life. He said it wasn’t long before his talent was recognized by others. “I was invited to take photos of an event in São Paulo attended by over 600 people. I took over 6,000 photos that day,” Ferreira said.
Back then, editing was a struggle, he shared. “It took me a month and a half to go through them all,” he recalled. Despite the overwhelming challenge, he said he discovered the thrill of documenting people’s experiences—an experience that would shape his future in photography.
Ferreira said he believes a great photographer doesn’t just capture an image; it captures a feeling. “I put my emotions into my photos. Whether it’s experimenting with lighting, framing a landscape, or capturing someone’s smile, the goal is always the same—to make the viewer feel something,” he said.
During his full-time mission, Ferreira said he received a DSLR camera as a gift from a generous church member. “It was incredible,” he said. “The member shared how a missionary once gave him a camera years ago, and now he was passing it forward,” he said.
As a photographer, Ferreira said he understands the fine balance between capturing reality and shaping a vision. When asked if photography reveals the truth or creates a curated version of reality, he responded, “It depends on the photographer’s intent. For journalists, it’s about capturing the truth as it is. But for others, photography can be more about creating an idealized version of reality. It’s storytelling.”
For university events, Ferreira said he strives to portray authenticity—real expressions, real moments. But when working on creative projects, he said he embraces artistic liberty. “In fun shoots, I like adding a Hollywood feel to my photos, making them vivid and dreamlike. It’s about pushing the boundaries of what an image can be,” he expressed.
Ferreira shared his vision for a perfect image of himself. “If I am in a frame, I want it to be something infinite—about family and the beauty of what we can’t fully comprehend. That’s what photography is to me—capturing moments that make us feel something bigger than ourselves,” he expressed.
An emotional outlet and path to self-discovery
Senior Joan Sabilly Amadeus, majoring in intercultural peacebuilding from Indonesia, said photography is more than just capturing images. It is a deeply personal form of expression, a therapeutic outlet, he explained, and a means of understanding human connection.
Amadeus said photography serves as a medium to articulate feelings that can be difficult to describe. “Photography has given me an outlet to express emotions that are sometimes hard to put into words,” he shared. “It allows me to focus on beauty, details, and moments I might otherwise overlook, helping me stay present and mindful,” he added.
He said the creative process behind photography offers him a sense of power and reflection, which helps him manage emotional struggles. “When I’m behind the camera, I feel a sense of control and creativity that helps me process my thoughts,” he said. He also said the act of composing a shot forces him to slow down and be in the moment, which for him is grounding.
Self-portraits and carefully framed images help him visualize his emotions, offering clarity and introspection, he shared. Whether dealing with loneliness, change, or self-discovery, Amadeus said he turns to photography as a means of healing and self-exploration.
Photography has the power to shape memory and influence perception, Amadeus said. “I love how images can sometimes alter memories by reinforcing certain aspects while allowing others to fade. Looking at a photo later can make me remember things differently than they happened,” he noted.
Sometimes, he said his photographs reveal details he had not initially noticed, deepening his emotional connection to a moment. “A photo isn’t just about what’s in the frame but also about the emotions, atmosphere, and context behind it,” he said.
Amadeus shared photography is about more than just what is seen. It is about what is felt. Whether using it as a tool for self-expression, emotional processing, or storytelling, he said his work remains deeply tied to his identity and worldview. “Through my camera, I bridge the external world and my internal self, proving that photography—when approached with sincerity and intention—can be a powerful tool for connection, healing and self-discovery,” he said.