Hike with Jenny: Photography Hike for Teens & Adults

Photo healing  

There are times when we want to explore and express our emotions and experiences, but it is often difficult to talk out loud. Our photographs can be expressions of emotions. They will tell the world something about how we’re feeling. They can be reminders and symbols. Searching for hope and strength. Something that inspires. Sometimes the right words simply don’t exist. The process of creating images allows us to spend time reflecting on our emotions. Complex feelings in the wake of trauma can be ripe for artistic expression. Our stories are one of a kind.  

Integration  

Integration means acknowledging that our loss, trauma, and grief experiences are parts of us. We need not be ashamed or hide them. Integrating our losses can foster congruence, which is linked to wellness.   

Finding meaning 

This is nuanced and can come when we do our healing work. It is more finding meaning and depth in life after trauma, instead of explaining away the loss or using dismissing phrases or euphemisms. Sometimes terrible things happen and it’s OK to call them terrible. Finding meaning is individual.   

Activity description  

Hikers are given several notecards with words, concepts, and emotions that might be encountered in our healing journey, as well as a few blank ones, a journal, and a pen. We break off and hike in small groups and symbolically capture with photographs the words on the cards. With the blank cards we can write and photograph concepts of our choosing. The journal is to reflect on feelings or thoughts that come up.