Εργαστήρια Θεραπευτικής Φωτογραφίας – Eyes of Light
THERAPEUTIC PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

The Therapeutic Photography workshops that we offer for free to individuals who have experienced cancer, comprise a great part of our activities

Multiple benefits for the participants

1

We acquire a tool to express our thoughts and feelings

2

We better understand ourselves and our needs

3

We improve our self-image and build greater confidence

4

We release the stress created by the challenges of the illness

5

We highlight our skills and become more creative

6

We are experimenting and cultivating our imagination

7

We find interest and beauty in things we hadn’t noticed before

8

We connect with people who have experienced similar situations

9

We share our experience within the supportive environment of our team

10

We improve our concentration and focus more on the present

11

We acquire a hobby and have a great time

12

We activate positive feelings of strength, gratitude and optimism

Our activities include:

  • Basic aesthetic principles of photography
  • Introduction to mindfulness techniques
  • Group photo shootings
  • Improvisation, writing and storytelling
  • Participatory photography games
  • Photo assignments at home
  • Activities with light, colour and gesture
  • Analysis, interpretation of photos and discussions
  • Group presentations
Eyes of Light Εργαστήρια

Photography skills are not required

Owning a digital camera or a phone camera and knowing how to use them is sufficient

Testimonials

by participants of our Workshops

Δήμητρα, 
Σε ευχαριστώ από καρδιάς για αυτό το υπέροχο ταξίδι, αλλά και για την ευκαιρία που μας έδωσες να δούμε με το κατάλληλο φως τα χρώματα γύρω και μέσα μας! Να είσαι καλά!

ΑΘΗΝΑ Κ. (2023)

I joined this group because I believed I would learn techniques to take beautiful photographs. On the contrary, I learned to capture both beautiful and less beautiful photographs. Most importantly, I learned to search within my soul and try to find a way to capture photos that externalize what I feel. The good and the bad alike.
I believe that I gained a lot mentally from our group. We had beautiful moments, some with tears and others with smiles. Through the shared experience with the other girls, I realized that I shouldn't be afraid of what happened to me. The girls and our teacher, with her guidance, showed me the way and gave me the strength to take a step forward. Not that the fear has completely disappeared, there are moments when it resurfaces, but now I can manage it to a great extent and find the positive within it... I definitely came out stronger, and I am PROUD that I made it. A big THANK YOU...

DIMITRA M. (2023)

In our common journey, with photography as our vehicle, we shared thoughts and unlocked emotions. Unique experience, in the spirit of trust and mutual support. Thanks! 

LINA K. (2022)

Monday, the day of the Group, a day of rebirth, a day full of aromas from many corners of our country. A dive into a cool sea, while in a furnace of thoughts and wounds that burn the body!!! This team can help its most vulnerable members, until they strengthen their own wings, to fly again against the wind if necessary!!!  

I wish that the Eyes of Light Team will always be a beacon for all those, who in the journey of their lives were forced to go through storms!!! Thanks for the light. 

MICHALIS E. (2022)

In this group, through exercises of photographic introspection, we shared deep thoughts, anxieties, desires, and frustrations, we strengthened each other, and as a group we tried to finally see the bright side of things. Our souls flew. The journey is over. Thank you for accompanying me on this journey.

Thanks for this trip.

ANNA S. (2022)

From our beautiful journey through photography, I learned to find beauty even where it does not exist - all it takes is to change our perspective!! Beautiful moments of sharing and support in a journey that has just ended… I feel immense gratitude for what we experienced!!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

CHRISA F. (2022)

Within the cocoon of this group, we expressed our fears, worries, insecurities, weaknesses and strengths. I’m keeping the power of teamwork, my gratitude and faith in our team. I learned to appreciate myself, I learned that photography is not just about an image, it is the soul and the feeling of the moment. I received honesty, companionship, warmth, strength, and hope.

GOGO T. (2022)

I managed to penetrate my innermost self. To love her, to forgive her, to caress her, to scratch her. And finally to discover her little by little… This journey you offered me was a great one.

MARINA N. (2021)

Whoever can attend the workshop, rush! The work is done excellently, truly therapeutic! 

My participation in that group made me feel how valuable our fight is since we got sick.

EIMI Z. (2020)

It has offered me - in a very short time - much more than what I expected in terms of positive thinking and creativity.

EFTHIMIOS B. (2021)

Η συμμετοχή μου στο εργαστήριο ήταν μια εξαιρετική εμπειρία από κάθε άποψη. Είχα την ευκαιρία να γνωρίσω υπέροχους ανθρώπους και να ακούσω συγκλονιστικές ιστορίες. Το εργαστήριο ήταν διασκεδαστικό στην πράξη και λειτούργησε θεραπευτικά σε όλους μας. Θα συμμετείχα και σε μελλοντικές δράσεις του φορέα ανεπιφύλακτα. Ως άνθρωπος που ασχολείται με την τέχνη, θεωρώ οτι είναι ο καλύτερος τρόπος ανακούφισης για ανθρώπους που δίνουν/έχουν δώσει μάχη με μια ασθένεια απειλητική για τη ζωή όπως είναι ο καρκίνος. Σας ευχαριστώ από καρδιάς γι’ αυτήν την υπέροχη εμπειρία!

Κατερίνα Τ. (2023)

Είναι ένα σεμινάριο που θα έπρεπε να είναι γνωστό σε όλους τους ανθρώπους με εμπειρία καρκίνου και να υπάρχει στα σημεία που γίνονται οι θεραπείες δημόσια και μη. Ένιωσα την επούλωση ως ασθενής και όχι την κριτική επειδή ασθένησα, μια προσέγγιση που υπάρχει ιδιαίτερα στις δημόσιες δομές.

ΜΕΛΟΣ ΟΜΑΔΑΣ 14 (2023)

One of the things that I will keep from my experience in this team, is that we should enjoy our life as much as possible, just like children, when playing in a park. This life has many wonderful moments, either smaller, or bigger and we shouldn't let them slip away. No matter what. These moments make our lives beautiful. This is the most valuable lesson I learned through our photographs and the emotions that each one of us shared. I thank you all for that lesson!

PINELOPI K. (2023)

Therapeutic Photography by D.E.: A journey of inspiration, mobilization, surprise, sharing. An interesting meeting with distinguished personalities, a soul-opening coexistence. A journey to the unspeakable, to the dream… A pearl well guarded at the bottom of my soul.

YIOULI M. (2022)

This seminar was a beacon within the darkness of my life. 

I met and communicated with people with whom I shared the most difficult and bloodiest conditions I was experiencing at that time.

I think that this communication is something different - maybe even more than friendship. It’s touching the soul. This is what I keep. 

Additionally, I learned that photography is not just an image printed on paper, or something that appears with the push of a button… It can be a vision, an emotion, a way of expression, a testament of the soul, a means of communication…  

EVRIDIKI P. (2022)

Through this journey with you, I discovered aspects of myself that I did not know. I learned to love myself more!!! I learned to express my feelings through a photo, to create a story and to get lost inside it. The group motivated me to mobilize myself… I felt free to express myself!!! This trip was magical for me. We did not know each other, we shared our stories, we expressed our fears, we shared our worries, we rejoiced in the successes of others. We lived beautiful moments, we laughed, we cried, we connected and we became a strong fist against that (cancer) which united us… Thank you for meeting you… I hope we do not get lost... 

ELEANA M. (2022)

 

My participation in the photography workshop was crucial for me to gain strength and continue my struggle towards optimism. Until then, I was alone on this whole journey of cancer, but as soon as my contact with the group began, I found 12 friends who connected with me and gave me courage. They shared their stories and feelings with me and I am grateful for that. Thank you all, as well as the Eyes of Light that unites our lives! 

GEORGIA M. (2022)

Love, positive energy, friendship, sharing, gratitude, inspiration, mutual respect, encouragement, trust, empathy, mutual understanding.

DINA K. (2022)

The photography class was a light in the dark… The process of thinking and expressing artistically and symbolically, thoughts, fears, hopes, truths, was very creative, it brought me out of my shell so I could fly to the sky.

MARIA P. (2021)

Ένα τεράστιο ευχαριστώ! Η βοήθεια στο να νιώσω καλύτερα ήταν πολύ μεγαλύτερη απ’ ότι μπορείτε να φανταστείτε!

ΜΕΛΟΣ ΟΜΑΔΑΣ 14 (2023)

Συγχαρητήρια στη συντονίστριά μας, Δήμητρα για την ιδέα και τη στήριξή της στην προσπάθειά μας. Να συνεχίσει και με άλλα άτομα!

ΜΕΛΟΣ ΟΜΑΔΑΣ 14 (2023)

I will remember this feeling of belonging, the feeling of the common experience of a disease, the differences and similarities. I will remember connecting with all the members of the team. I admired everyone and I felt that each one of us has extraordinary abilities and characteristics. I felt that I wasn't alone, and that I shared my feelings, that I had been understood. I will remember coming to class with internal pressure or tension and after sharing my feelings, I felt relieved. I saw in everyone what I was forgetting to see in me. I felt close to everyone. I have a smile in me now.

I want to thank everyone in the team and our instructor, Dimitra Ermeidou for this short but meaningful journey. Thanks for all the doors that she showed us, for all the windows that she has opened. I am glad I was part of an Eyes of light workshop.

MARINA P. (2023)

I was given the opportunity, through a pleasant and creative process, to connect with other women who have embarked on a similar journey as mine, each in her own unique way. It was a process that gave me strength, courage, and the motivation to try doing things differently myself. I hope for similar programs that will give me the chance to find myself in a warm embrace like the one I experienced in this program. Thank you very much!

ELSA A. (2023)

Step by step, my psychology is much better thanks to D.E.! After only two months next to you, everything has changed! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! Therapeutic Photography DEFINITELY helped me! I met you and 10 other wonderful people that I now LOVE!

CHRISTINA I. (2022)

How blessed I feel to be here, while in the most difficult, the most uncertain, the most painful period of my life! How rich I became with all the sharing, hugs, laughs, and tears! M., X., S., E., T., D., E., A., G., D. … You are a precious treasure for me! Each one separately is like a pearl… all together, the most beautiful, the most precious gift I have received while in this challenge of mine!!!

Thank you for the trips we made together… the power that has generously been shared within this family is indescribable… I’m grateful!!! 

GEORGIA T. (2022)

The way I see myself has changed. I became a member of the team, and I saw my life as part of a whole, and not as a unit struggling on its own. Searching through my photos, I met a person with strength, courage, and a love for life. I feel that in our team, I experienced a cycle of introspection. Now, I will keep that brighter person, and continue my life with self-esteem, self-protection, and self-care.

GEORGIA T. (2022)

An introspection into our deepest (and to some extent unknown) emotions, such as acceptance, forgiveness, care, reward, boundaries, sorrow, anger, joy, etc. came to “unlock” the darkest feelings and thoughts “bequeathed” to us by our illness. It pushed us to go out (literally and figuratively) to nature, to friends, to society.

PARIS P. (2021)

I discovered a new world. Without realizing it, I began to see the beauty next to me, to focus on it much more often, every day, in all my activities. I met great people and shared thoughts and feelings with them. It was a happy, colorful journey to beautiful “places”, to “places” of healing that exuded caring, tenderness, kindness, and a sweet warmth.

FOTEINI F. (2021)

A fantastic program with respect, honesty and love!

The joy of creation motivates you… Eyes of Light is an active community that fills you with light, hope and optimism!

MARIA L. (2020)

Through all of you, through our thoughts and our emotions, I was moved. Many inner feelings came to the surface, while my eyes were watering and on fire from one moment to another. Food for thought, which occupied me all week. I remembered something someone from your group said, and I kept thinking about it, smiling. I felt like I had a secret waiting eagerly for our next meeting, ready to expose myself in front of people whom I knew wouldn't require much explanation, nor would they ask indiscreetly. I would like to thank you all and our instructor that gave us the chance to meet each other and share so many things.

GIOTA K. (2023)

Ήταν ένα όμορφο ταξίδι, μια εμπειρία που θα μας συντροφεύει και θα μας συνδέει… Ευχαριστούμε τη Δήμητρα για την ευκαιρία που μας έδωσε!

ΜΕΛΟΣ ΟΜΑΔΑΣ 14 (2023)

The sharing of our experiences that somewhere, somehow, may or may not have met, the truths that were hidden and revealed in the photos, the world through the eyes of each one of us and the constant “push” for creativity, worked really therapeutically for me. I’m keeping the feeling of anticipation and creativity, the discretion and safety of the group as a reminder of optimism and a life with more “clicks” from here and on… 

MARGARITA P. (2022)

End and Beginning. Just before we say goodbye, I would like to thank everyone for participating in the sharing of stories, emotions, images, and colors. I believe that through this process, I took time to journey within myself, to discover and realize things about myself and those around me. I felt that on this inner journey, I had companionship, acceptance, and willing listeners to share ideas, knowledge, and emotions with me. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

DIMITRA M. (2022)

The deepest words of our soul were heard through our images. Every story was a life lesson for me! I identified and shared my own story, the acceptance and understanding I received, filled me with joy and hope!! Thank you so much for our creative meetings!!! 

ATHANASIA M. (2022)

Gratitude! This word fills my chest and my mouth. Because I met wonderful women and regained the trust I had lost a long time ago. And with that confidence, I opened up, I spoke, and I came one step closer to all of you but also to me, to the person I really am. I dared to deeply see you all, but also see myself, in a way that touched my wound and was liberating. What a journey… Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

KATERINA P. (2022)

The joy of creation motivated me to be active, but at the same time it oriented me more and more towards the light, the hope and optimism that I needed so much… I was able to dream and make my reality more bearable. Over time, I realized various elements of my character and I saw myself with a different set of eyes, so that I finally acknowledged myself.

DINA N. (2020)

I am grateful to have been in this group, to have met all the girls and you Dimitra, without you this journey would not have even started. I am glad that we walked together on this path that you showed us and taught us that there is also this way of expression, through photography. Last lesson today and I feel excited, happy, full of beautiful moments. I’ll miss you…

VASILIKI F. (2019)

A true testimony of the soul through pictures, the most interesting experience I have ever attended.

DIMITRA S. (2019)

An unexpected journey of Dream and Life which I had never considered doing!

MICHALIS M. (2019)