Photo therapy at the Place of Power: how teens learned to notice the beauty around them
On August 1, the long-awaited photo therapy course for teenagers began at the Place of Power. Over the course of four sessions, participants discovered a new way to express themselves. Let’s take a look back at how it went 😉
Getting to Know Each Other Through the Lens
During the first class, the teens introduced themselves through photos — showing their favorite angles, colors, and subjects. After a short walk around the city, where familiar places suddenly appeared in a completely new light, everyone presented their shots. It didn’t take long for the group to bond: they encouraged each other, shared impressions and ideas, and soon the atmosphere became warm and relaxed.
“Photography quickly connects strangers. Within 15 minutes, the group already felt like old friends,”— shared Svitlana, the psychologist leading the course.
Experiments and Responsibility
This time, participants worked independently, completing photo tasks at their own pace. They shared their results in a group chat that soon turned into a space of support and inspiration. The teens sincerely praised each other, offered advice, discussed interesting angles, and brainstormed new ideas. With each task, their confidence grew — in their own vision of beauty and in the courage to show it to others.
Philosophy in the Frame
By the third session, the group had become much more open — even those who were quiet at first were now eager to share the stories behind their photos. During the photo walk, everyone tried to capture moments others might overlook: an unusual reflection in a window, an intriguing shadow, or a fleeting instant. Their discussions went far beyond technical details — the teens looked for deeper meaning, created metaphors, and reflected on what they wanted to express.
“The shift from talking about technique to exploring deeper meanings shows readiness for self-reflection,”— noted Svitlana.
Portraits and Empathy
The final session was all about portrait photography — everyone took turns being both the photographer and the model. This role swap helped participants see the process from both sides: how important it is to capture someone’s mood, and how wonderful it feels when someone truly sees you. After the photoshoot, no one wanted to leave — the group laughed, shared pictures, and planned future creative meetups. It felt like saying goodbye was the last thing they wanted to do.
What Teens Are Saying
- “I realized how much beauty there is around us.”
- “I loved the last session when we got to be both photographers and models.”
- “I learned to notice details and saw so many different photography styles.”
- “As long as this course exists — I’ll keep joining it!”
- “Now I’m not afraid to take photos on my own anymore.”
- “Photography might become my new hobby. I’ll definitely join the next course!”
Now, the participants know how to notice beauty in small things, capture fleeting moments, and share their vision with confidence. For them, photo therapy became a new way to express themselves, find like-minded friends, and show the world how they see it 📷
Your most exciting adventures are still ahead — Check the schedule and join usWho knows, maybe the next event will be the beginning of something new in your life 😌
