Broken Light: A Photography Collective
We are photographers living with or affected by mental illness; supporting each other one photograph at a time. Join our community, submit today!
Photo taken by contributor Annie, a woman who lives with PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and Dissociation. Annie copes by writing, drawing, reading, meditating, walking when able, and brushing her cat Rumi. She loves photography and feels music is very soothing. About this photo: “I was choking. I could not get air–no breath. Blacked out on the kitchen floor; was... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Livonne, a 55-year-old woman who lives in the Blue Mountains of Australia. Livonne was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder over 20 years ago following a troubled childhood, a violent marriage, and the tragic death of her 10-year-old daughter on an access visit. She eventually found herself unable to work full time and at... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Shelby Hall, a mother in her twenties from Dallas, Texas. Before her boys were born, she had a difficult relationship with her now fiancé, in part due to his struggles with drug addiction. Shelby suffered from depression through much of their early relationship as a result of being unable to cope. During that rough... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Jennifer Blue, a 54-year-old woman from Los Angeles who lives with Bipolar Disorder. Feeling more stabilized than ever due to her psychotropic cocktail, Jennifer is pursuing photography to communicate herself visually. Photography requires maximum focus, so it also brings her into the present moments of life. About this photo: “I am nuts with the job and school at... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Teija, a woman in her thirties from Finland. Teija suffered from a severe depressive episode at the age of 25, which turned into psychosis, and led to a three month hospitalization. Fortunately, she got better quite quickly and got her life back on track. She found love after getting out of the hospital.... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Carrie Hilgert, a photographer, painter, and healer from Northeast Kansas. Carrie is on an evolving journey. In her past, she was affected by chronic physical and mental illnesses, including depression. Photography, especially self-portraiture, was a tool that helped her throughout those challenging times, and allowed her to process her dark feelings. Carrie believes that her experiences... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Kyle Anderson, a man from Saskatchewan, Canada. Kyle is a health care professional in his forties who has battled depression and addiction for most of his life. He escapes by letting the camera become his mind’s eye, and hopes that each photo he takes allows others to see the world as... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Morgan, a 21-year-old woman living in California. Morgan has suffered from bipolar depression and anxiety for many years. She experienced her first anxiety attack at the age of 10, and it has been a battle ever since. Her mental health improved greatly after the birth of her daughter, when she felt true unconditional... Continue Reading →
Please welcome first-time contributor Michael Ross, a 57-year-old man from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Michael has struggled with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder for most of his life. Photography helps him deal with the daily struggles, but sometimes becomes a battle of perfectionism. About this photo: “This is a baby sunflower I shot early this morning on my windowsill.... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor autisticaplanet, a woman in her thirties who has Asperger’s Syndrome and accompanying anxiety related to social and sensory issues. She also has OCD. She writes a blog to pass along lifelong lessons to help those, adults in particular, dealing with Asperger’s. She hopes to help neurotypical people better understand the “complexities within... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Ed, a photographer from Mexico City who was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety in 2007 after severe stress led to a professional, financial, and eventually emotional breakdown. He has battled depression, anxiety, obsessive thinking, and fearfulness his entire life, especially as a child and teenager, after a traumatic family experience. Recently, Ed has found relief from... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Jaeda DeWalt, a conceptual self-portrait artist in her forties from Seattle, Washington. Her battles with mental illness hearken back to her earliest memories, at age four, when she became obsessed with the number four and performed exhaustive rituals in patterns of four. During her teen years, she began noticing extreme mood swings, manic one moment and depressed the next, and... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Glenn Grancio, a 40-year-old visual artist living in New York, NY. Glenn has experienced various challenges, and has been diagnosed with an eating disorder. Glenn has shown sketches and paintings at the 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church. Glenn has also shown art and given speeches at the Museum of Modern Art's Edward John Nobel Education... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Carrie Hilgert, a photographer, painter, and healer from Northeast Kansas. Carrie is on an evolving journey. In her past, she was affected by chronic physical and mental illnesses, including depression. Photography, especially self-portraiture, was a tool that helped her throughout those challenging times, and allowed her to process her dark feelings. Carrie believes that her experiences... Continue Reading →
