About the Sessions
Peer support is all about people with lived experience coming together, finding strength in their stories, and supporting both their own and others' mental health recovery.
Join photographer Miriam Ali for a 6-week series of creative photography sessions where you’ll explore the theme of Comfort/Disturb as part of the 2025 Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF).
Together, we’ll use photography to reflect on our personal experiences and connections with peer support, mental health, and recovery.
Whether you’re new to photography or already love taking pictures, these sessions are designed to be welcoming, creative, and flexible. The aim is to use images and stories to express yourself and connect with others.
What to Expect:
- Week 1: Get to know the group, brainstorm ideas, and explore the festival’s theme: Comfort / Disturb
- Week 2: Go on a guided photo walk and use your camera phone. Explore the elements of a photo (no previous experience needed)
- Week 3: Learn about the cyanotype process.
- Week 4: Go on a mindfulness photo walk using disposable cameras.
- Week 5: Take a look at the disposable prints from last session. Learn how to tell a story through photos and explore cropping and editing techniques.
- Week 6: Editing and finalising the work.
Who It's For:
- Women+ (inc. trans-women and non-binary people) interested in mental health, peer support, or creative expression
- Women+ with lived experience of mental health
- No photography experience necessary—just curiosity and a camera (smartphones welcome!)
Accessibility & Commitment:
We encourage you to attend all 6 sessions, if you can, to get the most out of the experience, but we understand if you can't make them all- that's perfectly okay. Sessions will be inclusive and supportive of all skill levels and access needs.
