Episode 6: Photography is Medicine

Photography is a form of healing. It can help you slow down, be calm, and be your own motivation. Dalanie Franklin is the founder of Photography is Medicine. Today he shares how he used photography as a therapy after being medically discharged from the army. Dalanie used photography to adjust to civilian life and he’ll show you how to do the same thing. 

By the way, photography is a very accessible form of healing because everybody has a camera. You don’t need to have any prior skills to start using photography as therapy. 

On Today’s Show

• How to start using photography for healing 
• How photography can help you relax
• Become more mindful with photography walks 
• How photography can help you adjust to civilian life 

Episode Timeline

(00:46) Who is Dalanie Franklin?

(01:42) Why he joined the military

(04:34) Learning to cry

(06:16) Why photography is therapeutic 

(10:38) Realizing photography was making him heal

(11:51) Learning how to fail

(12:41) Working with the Wounded Warrior Project 

(14:05) Photography helps you go outside

(15:34) How photography calms you down

(18:04) Replacing alcohol with photography

(19:00) How to start photography as a therapy

Key Takeaways

1. There is no shame in crying. Crying can be a tremendous relief. Sometimes, if you don’t cry or let out your emotions you may feel overwhelmed. Crying reduces the overwhelm. 

2. Taking photos and editing them can be a very mindful experience. It can be a healing and therapeutic experience. 

3. You can take photos of anything. Taking photos helps you ground yourself in the moment, it helps you belong to your environment. You can relax through photography. 

Guest

Dalanie Franklin

Founder | Photography is Medicine

Dalanie is a combat veteran who uses photography as a form of healing. Upon taking his first “civilian” photo he immediately felt something different, a feeling of peace, the mind finally stopped racing and being able to focus on the present moment. He is also an ambassador for exploring alternative solutions to medication like meditation, yoga, and Qi Gong.