Inspired by her passion for underwater photography and by being a strong supporter of IHadCancer.com, San Francisco-based Japanese photographer Erena Shimoda has combined her two passions and her experience of being a scuba diver for over 10 years to specializing in rehabilitating the mental psyche of cancer survivors. Shimoda realizes that water is able to heal patients mentally and physically.
Through a series of stunningly surreal underwater portraits curated over four years, she has helped former cancer patients regain their strength, overcome their fears and any physical or mental limitations they may have such as "feeling lost after a mastectomy and chemotherapy, fear of water, or physical limitations due to cerebral palsy."
Through submerging her patients underwater, she helps them regain their strength and self-esteem as Shimoda shows them their finished photograph.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Rehabilitative Underwater Photography
- Using the healing power of water combined with artistic photography to heal mental and physical trauma.
- Therapeutic Photography
- Expanding the use of photography into therapeutic settings to help individuals overcome challenges and promote mental health.
- Art Therapy
- Combining art with therapy to provide a unique form of treatment that addresses emotional, cognitive, and psychological wellbeing.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Healthcare and Wellness
- Exploring the integration of photography and other art forms into traditional healthcare and wellness practices to improve patient outcomes.
- Fine Art and Photography
- Utilizing photography and other art forms to address social and emotional issues and promote mental health.
- Cancer Care and Survivorship
- Developing specialized programs and services that integrate innovative approaches to enhance cancer patients' emotional and physical wellbeing.
