Hello! This a very special hidden link on my website.
It’s hidden because I’m in the process of creating a video to share this. You can visit this link to see the current offerings about The L.E.N.S. Method™
However you landed here, you’re wondering who am I and why should you be interested?
Carey Kirkella is an award-winning photographer who has photographed advertising campaigns for clients including LoveWellness and NY Life insurance. Her fine art photography has been exhibited internationally.
Carey is also a 16 year survivor of bipolar disorder, multiple miscarriages, and the loss of her sister to breast cancer. She is a mom of a rambunctious 5 year old boy.
She believes sharing stories can save lives, and she’s on a mission to help others learn how they too can use the process of making photographs as a way to heal, and to grow.
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS FOR STORY-TELLING, SELF- DEVELOPMENT & EMOTIONAL CONNECTION
Making photographs can be used as a way to help you be an agent in the creation of your own wellbeing, and can build your emotional resilience.
Photography is a powerful tool.
These workshops and programs are about connecting with others and yourself through making photos and sharing experiences.
Creating and sharing our photos using The L.E.N.S. Method, inspired by the 5 Pillars of Emotional Resilience as a guide, can help build better conversations and understand abstract content and retention through triggering emotions.
It’s creative play with a bigger purpose.
TWEEN + TEEN PHOTO WORKSHOPS
A unique way to help her feel more enough and less alone, while also learning a valuable creative skill.
It’s a known fact that girls’ self esteem usually goes down in their teens, and in some cases it may take 15 - 20 years to build it back up. Giving them the tools to help them now in a way that’s fun and creative can help shorten that timespan.
MOTHERHOOD PHOTO WORKSHOPS
“The moment a child is born, a mother is also born.” - Osho
Workshops that encourage creative play and mindfulness through photography, in a safe space. You’ll gain insight into new ways of seeing yourself, this time in your life, and your environment.
“The Energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” - Brene Brown
PHOTOGRAPHING NATURE AS A WALKING MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS PRACTICE
NATURE WALK PHOTO WORKSHOPS
Photo story prompts based on creating images of nature. I’m one of those people that feels like I can’t sit still and meditate.
But I can take a walk in nature and immerse myself in it if I’m armed with a camera and concepts to ponder and seek out. It’s a kind of walking meditation practice. See some of my nature images inspired by Feng Shui concepts here for inspiration.
More about me and also some general information about bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder and a quick summary of my experience with it.
Bipolar Disorder is a highly treatable mental illness that I’ve been hospitalized for 3 times over the course of the past 16 years. I was first diagnosed at age 28 after years of undiagnosed PTSD after 9/11/01.
My personal triggers, which are common among others with *Bipolar 1, are high stress along with several days without 6 or more consecutive hours of sleep at night. This can cause my brain chemistry to ‘speed up’ at which point, I’m no longer able to sleep. I once tried taking sleeping pills hoping to ward it off and they didn’t work for me at that point. The brain chemistry speed up results in ‘manic episodes’, hallucinations, and other unpleasant experiences that have required hospitalization and medication.
*There are two versions of Bipolar Disorder; Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2. My understanding of it is Bipolar 2 is when someone frequently cycles through hypo-mania (like a milder form of full blown mania) and depression; while Bipolar 1 is typically less frequently ‘up and down’ but generally with more severe episodes when they do occur.
Some well-known people past and present with Bipolar Disorder are Tim Ferris, Demi Lovato, Mariah Carey, Frank Sinatra, Kurt Cobain, Vincent Van Gogh, Virginia Wolfe.
Please get in touch with me for more information or to collaborate! Thank you!
Carey Kirkella is an award-winning
portrait and lifestyle photographer based in Brooklyn, NY.
She began her career as a Photo Editor for The Wall Street Journal, and has photographed advertising and marketing campaigns for companies including, Love Wellness, New York Life Insurance and many other businesses large and small.