Therapeutic Photography Self-portrait Experience (SPEX). A four-hour workshop with Antonia Penia, A Look Again Mindful Photography Practitioner

The main objective (and expected result) of SPEX is to broaden the perception of oneself, others, and the world and discover the potential in oneself, others, and the world. Any process of transformation of one's own life (such as healing from trauma, addiction, etc.) must necessarily involve the discovery of other aspects of one's own identity. Looking at yourself from different perspectives helps you explore yourself beyond labels, stigmatisation and judgement. SPEX also serves to stimulate the creative process, transforming difficult emotions into photographic works of art.

Structure of the SPEX workshop: 

• Presentation- we share how therapeutic photography has personally helped us to heal; discussion on self-image, stigmatisation (and self-stigmatisation). Presentation of individual photo sessions, what are they for, and how do they work?
• Visual meditation with aromatherapy to prepare for the session.
• Individual photo self-portrait sessions on expressing emotions,in the studio set up on site.
• Self-portrait exercises using mobile phones and aesthetic choices around the spaces in pairs. Antonia will talk about mindful photography while individual sessions take place.
• Group work on the multiple and changing perceptions of the images produced, focusing on the numerous and changing perceptions of the images created.
• Discuss how to continue using photography to express emotions and look at themselves from other points of view; fill in the feedback form.

Instructors

Antonia Penia is an award-winning artist, born in Galicia, Spain, and has been based in London since 2010.

Antonia is a visual artist who expresses her creative vision using photography, video, and performance art. Through exploring and insinuating her self-image, she creates intimate, sensual and provocative images that examine identity, gender, and social and cultural status and some of the narratives that question human behaviour like issues of power, religion, race, gender, and the relationship between the past and present. She believes self-portraits are a way of healing and practices therapeutic photography. I became a conscious artist expert with 24 years of visual artist experience. I now combine well-being and photography disciplines in my workshops. She is an educator at the National Portrait Gallery and the London College of Fashion. She has been trained as a therapeutic photography facilitator using The Look Again Methodology.

Feelings of longing, loss, mental health, censorship, and connection to the natural and spiritual world have shaped her work. Throughout her life, she has challenged the history of patriarchy and the abuse of power through gender. She believes in equality and fights for her rights.

http://www.antoniapenia.com

https://www.instagram.com/anto...

Kimi Gill is a London-based photographer with a background in shooting people and portraits for charities, including The National Autistic Society, Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and Crisis.

Through her commercial work, she began to realise the healing benefits of photography and how it can help people improve self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-efficacy.

She developed her theoretical knowledge of the subject by studying Therapeutic Photography at Robert Gordon University. This is an academic course (PG Cert) focusing primarily on therapeutic approaches such as attachment theory and applying them to personal issues.

She then went on to work with Cristina Nunez, studying SPEX (Self Portrait Experience), which she has been delivering in workshops to participants at charities and groups around London.

https://www.kimigill.com/

Studio space you will be working in

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Data

Your personal data (name, email address and telephone number) that you supply when booking the online event will be passed to the Event organiser to enable them to:

1. Contact you before the event to remind you or notify you of joining instructions (or changes thereto), etc.

2. Contact you at short notice before or during an event in case of any emergency or last-minute changes.

3. Contact you at the end of the event for your feedback.

By booking this event, you are deemed to consent to this data transfer.

Cancellation Policy

It is inevitable that occasionally, an event will be postponed or cancelled for this or another reason beyond the RPS’s control. If an event is postponed, we will transfer your booking to the rearranged event, with the option of a refund if the rescheduled date is unsuitable for you. Occasionally, an event may also be cancelled due to insufficient bookings.

If an event is cancelled, we will give you as much notice as we are able, and any payment by you to the RPS in respect of the event is offered as a full refund. In the case of events cancelled because of a lack of interest, we will aim to give you as much notice as possible.

Responsibility:

You are responsible for your own health and safety; you must appraise your own strength, fitness, and mobility and be prepared for the event. The event leader is NOT responsible for your safety, welfare, or attendant medical conditions. The event leader is strictly there to introduce you to the Therapeutic Photography Self-Portrait Experience.

You are responsible for your camera equipment.

Car-sharing lifts with fellow participants is at your own risk. Those offering car-sharing lifts may only do so if they have suitable insurance cover. Liability for any accident, injury, medical condition, loss or damage to property, inappropriate behaviour, dress, equipment and third-party liability is accepted by you when signing up for the event. You agree to indemnify and hold the Royal Photographic Society harmless from all claims.

Insurance:

You are advised to consider having insurance to cover event cancellations by you or by us, accidents, medical, personal equipment, and public liability.

In particular, in the case of high-cost events, you should also consider the likelihood and consequences of you having to cancel or not attend at the last minute because of an accident, medical or other unforeseeable circumstances.

If you have any questions for the event leader/organiser, email us at wipevents@rps.org

Thank you

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