Photo taken by contributor Samantha Pugsley, a 24-year-old conceptual fine art photographer from Charlotte, North Carolina. She first picked up a camera during her junior year of college. This was right around the time when she was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Things that were once easy became impossible for her. Getting dressed in the morning, shopping at the grocery story, driving her car…just living, was a panic attack waiting to happen. Photography helped her heal. With her camera she could start a conversation about what was going on in her head. She could say things with her images that she didn’t know how to say out loud. She still struggles with anxiety but making art helps her talk about it and manage it. She started a 365 photography project to ensure that she’d be doing what brings her joy every single day. She has noticed that her anxiety level is much lower if she spends time with her camera every day.
About this photo: “This image is a huge success for me. In order to get it I had to overcome a lot of things that make me anxious. I had to wake up and get to the beach before sunrise and time constraints usually really agitate my anxiety. I had to drive in an unfamiliar town using a car that wasn’t mine to get to this location. I had to be alone on the beach at 6am with no one and nothing but my own creative thoughts. The feeling was completely overwhelming but in a good way.”
_____
**Visit Broken Light’s main gallery here. Currently accepting submissions.
*Facebook & Twitter @BrokenLighCo & @DanielleHark. Follow for e-mail notifications.
Broken Light Collective 
Gorgeous photo. 🙂
LikeLike
Love the mood and the ivory against the grey sky!
LikeLike
So happy happy to see you guys working with Samantha, she is such a good artist!
LikeLike
Agreed! We are thrilled to have her as a contributor!
LikeLike
I suffer with MDD and GAD so I know how hard that must have been and I commend you for stepping out beyond your boundaries. The photo is wonderful. I have never done self portraits. I am assuming you used a tripod and that you have a decent length timer on your camera? Are you wearing a wedding dress? or taking off a wedding dress?
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂 I do use a tripod and I have an off camera remote that I use to trigger the shutter. It’s actually just a sheet but the way the wind blew it around gave it a gown like appearance (which works for me). This piece is about vulnerability and how being alone feels different depending where you are. Self portraits can be extremely therapeutic and can teach you a lot about yourself. I think every photographer should give it a try
LikeLike
Well done for making such an effort. The photographic result is so beautiful so you have two reasons to feel very proud. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you everyone for your nice comments. I love sharing my work with others. It’s one of the things that really helps me keep doing what I’m doing…even on days when it’s difficult.
LikeLike
Great image! Congrats on photograph and personal victory.
LikeLike
Love the composition of this photo. Is this high dynamic range?
LikeLike
Nope 🙂 Just very careful post processing in Photoshop
LikeLike
Awesome!!
I have photoshop elements. Don’t use as much as I’d like so I’m not very skilled with it.
Blessings,
Judy
LikeLike
What a great way to cope with GAD! Hopefully more people will be able to take steps forward with their anxiety issues by diving into something they love, like you and photography!
LikeLike
just perfect!
LikeLike