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 Thaddeus Buenaventura, a 38 year-old Navy veteran who was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. After his diagnosis, the anxieties and struggles piled up, making him unable to do simple tasks, such as focusing, choosing from a menu, and feeling good about anything he does. About this photo: “Every day for me is... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Allison Utz, a 23-year-old photographer from Marshall, Wisconsin. Allison's challenges include alcoholism, bipolar disorder, anxiety, major-depressive disorder, acute obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bulimia-nervosa. Allison created a series called Breaking The Stigma: Mental Health Awareness Series, through which she learned a lot about herself, and others surrounding her. She uses her voice for those who... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by first-time contributor Katie Claire who has struggled with anxiety, depression, disorder eating, and somatic symptoms from her past. After being given at second chance at life through the mental health care she received, Katie committed herself to giving to others what had been given to her at her time of greatest need. She... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by first-time contributor Curtis, a Canadian artist and musician in his 50s, who has struggled with anxiety and depression for most of his life. Being diagnosed with depression 15 years ago, he started a slow climb out of the darkness, but after being unsatisfied with the side effects of medication decided to try... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by first-time contributor Taylor McAvoy, a freelance photographer in Washington state who recently graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a degree in journalism. At 23 years old, she has struggled with anxiety and depression for all of her adult life. She seeks to find meaning in the fear she faces... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by first-time contributor Stephen, a man from Dartmoor in Devon who has lived with complex PTSD for the past 10 years, although it was only diagnosed two years ago. He is now on a waiting list for treatment. His PTSD has come about as a result of time in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq, where he... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by first-time contributor Shanna, a 45-year-old in Georgia living with DID, Bipolar, Anxiety, Major Depressive Disorder, and PTSD. She has found that having a camera in her hands grounds her and gives her peace. About this photo: “Due to many health problems, aside from my mental illnesses, I have been unable to get outside... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by first-time contributor Julie, a California-based photographer who also works in film. She's been battling anxiety and depression for over ten years, suffering from panic attacks in between. Julie was initially put on medication for depression in her early twenties, but it did not seem to help her and she eventually stopped taking it. During... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by Sabrina, a photographer based in Toronto, Canada. Sabrina has struggled with depression for over ten years. Six years of denial and another four years of antidepressants, social isolation, and relationship challenges. It wasn't until she realized anxiety as a major factor that she managed to start properly dealing with the issues. It's... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Morgan, a 22-year-old woman living in California. Morgan has suffered from depression and anxiety for many years now. She feels very passionate about photography. It’s so much more than just taking pictures to her, it’s a coping mechanism. About this photo: "Just keep floating on. No matter how deep and dark the water... Continue Reading →
Photo taken by contributor Lucey Keast, a 20-year-old student photographer from Cornwall, England. She first submitted a photograph to Broken Light during her first year of University when she first got diagnosed with depression and anxiety. She was worried that she would not make it to the end of her degree. However, she is now in... 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 →
Please welcome first time contributor Beth, a 22-year-old photography student from the UK. Through her images she aims to reduce the stigma and stereotypes often attached to mental health issues by portraying her own experiences of depression and anxiety honestly. Photography became a tool for her to work through some of these issues and find better... Continue Reading →
Please welcome first-time contributor Lisa-Marie, a woman who's experience of living through abuse caused her to have deep emotions, anxiety and panic attacks. The experience caused her to be silent and repress her self-expression for many years. About this photo: "I'm learning to use photography as a way to express my feelings without verbally expressing... Continue Reading →
