NZPhotographer Issue 13, November 2018

How Photography Can Contribute To
Meeting Each Of Our Emotional Needs
As well as the obvious ‘basic needs’ for water,
food, and shelter, humans have a set of 9
emotional needs, which are not so obvious but
are just as essential to our wellbeing and happiness.
In fact, our moment to moment decisions and actions
are almost ALWAYS driven by our need to meet one
or more of our emotional needs.
Unfortunately, all too often in modern western culture,
our emotional needs are not well understood or
treated with the attention they deserve, and this is
reflected in the current high levels of stress, anxiety,
and depression within the population. The good news
is, that once we understand our emotional needs,
and how well we are currently meeting them, we can
take action. In this way, people are able to create
breakthrough changes in their behaviours leading to
more fulfilling happier, healthier lives.
Let’s take a look at those 9 needs and how
photography is already helping us to meet them.
OUR 9 EMOTIONAL NEEDS
Achievement: In order to maintain our self-esteem,
we need to have a sense that we are accomplishing
things of value. Photography enables us to recognise,
and use, our existing competencies, skills, and
resources. It also provides us with an opportunity
to develop new skills and knowledge. Every photo
we take increases our skill and capabilities as a
photographer and provides us with an opportunity
to extend ourselves beyond our comfort zone. We
can set, and achieve, ever more challenging goals
for ourselves (e. g. take a photo a day, get a photo
published in NZP or the local paper, win a prize). And
when we achieve our goal(s) we get a wonderful
‘feel-good’ sense of achievement.
Security: We all need to feel a sense of security that
things will be okay and we can lead our lives without
experiencing undue fear. Routine and predictability
are things that give us a sense of control, assurance
and safety. If we are lacking a sense of security in our
lives, even a small sense of predictability can give us
something to hold onto. The process of taking a photo
is predictable as is the outcome (most of the time!).
Often when we are feeling stressed, anxious, or
depressed we may find it difficult to express our
thoughts and feelings verbally. We may feel ashamed,
afraid, or embarrassed. Photography acts as
by Tony Yuile
non-verbal communication through which we can
express our fears and feelings, in a way that feels safe.
Community: We need to feel connected to a
community and have a sense that we contribute.
Photography provides an opportunity for us to
connect and interact more with people, especially
fellow photographers, for example by joining a
photography club/group, whether a local group or an
online community. Belonging to part of a community
means that there are likely to be opportunities to
contribute whether to a project, a competition, or
simply help others to learn their camera and improve
their skills.
Status / Respect: It’s not enough to just be part of a
group, we need to have a sense of our value within
the group dynamics we’re a part of. We need to feel
that we have something worthwhile to contribute, we
need to feel we are respected and acknowledged
and that others appreciate our talents. By creating
photos that we are proud of, we can start to build a
reputation amongst family, friends, and others, as a
good or even expert photographer. People may start
approaching us for tips and advice. When others start
to pay attention to us and appreciate and respect
us, this appreciation and recognition helps establish
and maintain our sense of self-esteem and self-worth.
When we say “I am a photographer” or “I am a visual
artist” we are expressing an identity, having a positive
identity is essential to good mental health.
Privacy: The need and right to obtain privacy,
time and space to reflect on and learn from our
experiences. With so many things vying for our
attention 24/7 nowadays it’s easy to become
overstimulated and/or overwhelmed. Photography
provides a reason and the motivation to get outside
and connect with nature and enjoy some alone time.
When we are in nature we can clear our minds, be
grounded in the present moment, and reconnect to
how beautiful and diverse our world is. This gives our
brain a welcome, and much needed, break from
negative thoughts and worries.
Purpose & Meaning: In the same vein of feeling that
we’re accomplishing things of value, we all need to
have a sense that we’re part of something greater
than ourselves that has purpose, meaning and value.
Each of us has a reason why we take photographs,
and each photograph we take is created for a
14 NZPhotographer