I wanted to share a recent shoot with my friend and colleague Isabelle. This was the second in a series of four we are working on together, all centred on mental health.
Mental health affects us all in one way or another. Some struggles seem small to others, while some carry a major impact. As someone who is seriously dyslexic, I have faced challenges that are not always obvious, like the difficulty I have with language and everyday tasks such as replying to emails. I am grateful for the technology that has made those things easier. Photography has become an important medium for me, letting me communicate and express myself in a way words cannot.
Isabelle and I have worked on many projects and become good friends. In the studio we often talk about mental health and what helps us cope. Isabelle is an artist and paints beautifully, while I have photography. We both find our creative work brings a sense of joy and release that helps.
That idea shaped this series: focusing on the positive side of mental health rather than dwelling on the negative. For this shoot we chose to picture creativity itself by recreating an artist at an easel, hoping to show the good that creative work can do for our wellbeing.
Mental health matters as much as physical health, and it is fine to ask for help. There is still a stigma that stops people reaching out, which is part of why projects like this feel worthwhile: starting conversations and chipping away at that stigma.
Isabelle and I had a lot of fun bringing the idea to life, setting up the studio, choosing props and wardrobe, and working out the lighting and angles for the mood we wanted.
I am Bob Foyers, based at Foyers Photography in Bentwaters near Ipswich, Suffolk. You can read more about my background. Thanks for reading, and keep an eye out for the next shoot in the series.