Street Photography and your Mental Health (feat. Pete Wands) 

I am a retired doctor. I was able to immerse myself in my photography trips to the point that it wasn't until the plane ride home that I remembered what I did and where I lived. A lot of people with intense occupations like medicine or computer programming need a fully immersive hobby like mountain climbing or rock climbing to make their brains stop thinking about work and to concentrate on the moment.

The message in this interview is why I keep going and making photos. Through Pete Wands you caught the essence of why we go. It is not about the “likes” on social media, it is about the time and peace you have while making our art. Thanks, Sean! 😊

I want to share this story with you guys and thanks for the video. It was fantastic. About six years ago, my marriage, finished and like most men at 45 years of age. it really broke me and cut me deep. I haven’t touched my camera for a long time, and I wanted to upgrade my gear, but my ex-wife never wanted to let me upgrade my gear. So I sold all my old cameras and invested in some new gear. Immediately, I started to get into landscape. Photography and I was out walking in nature, and I just started to heal straight away. My job is actually stressful. I’m actually a drug and alcohol counsellor in the addiction space and my job is hard enough. So my job is really stressful and I was going through an emotional and tough time…. At the moment, I would pick up my camera bag and put it in the back of the car and head towards the sunset. I would feel better. I would feel excited. I was connected to something important and that was nature. I can honestly say I don’t know where I’d be without Photography. Five years on I now have new beautiful partner and she supports me still to this day to go out and take pics. When I come back from a shoot, I’m light and bubbly and full of joy. As we say in the industry my cup is full. I have a theory that during the day and emotional jellybeans, I drained and if we get to 4 o’clock and we’ve got no emotional jellybeans left in a jar. We are no good to anyone, especially our families. Even just an hour outside around blew our sunset time. My cup is refilled and I go home, feeling engaged and happy.

Photography was part of my treatment for PTSD after serving in Iraq. I now use photography as a form of meditation to “rest my brain” and get a resilience boost when I need it.

Once again, Sean Tucker really speaks to me and others. I took up photography after having been hurt serving my country overseas as a foreign service officer and coming home to the U.S. where doctors warned my employers that the injury left me vulnerable to some types of activities. My employee then spent the next four years assigning me that type of work while ignoring my doctors’ warnings I would get hurt, my reports and my doctors’ reports that I was actually getting hurt. I couldn’t get other jobs with a disability and leaving that one would have left me homeless and without health insurance while the employer was fighting me over workers comp and claiming I had somehow done it to myself. And-following three surgeries and rehabilitation-I was left with a permanent disability and PTSD. I started doing photography more seriously at the urging of friends. I started doing wildlife/nature photography and street photography in particular because they were almost like meditation. Photography has been opening doors to me now. I got two offers to show in New York last week, for example. But it’s most important thing is that it really is a mental health booster.

This video resonates with so many people. The shared trauma of the last three years, to individual and personal mental health issues, photography, like many other art forms, is great therapy. Thank you Sean!

Sometimes I go out alone with my camera and just take photos of random things on my way. It is just so relaxing to just be lost in your own world and craft something with lights and human nature. Before this I was scared of photography. So much so I just left it. I used to say to others to never take my picture and never picked up a camera during those dark times. But right now I want to improve on that art.

Street Photography saved my life a few times. Thank you so much for this awesome work, dear Sean.

We chatted briefly about this when I met you at your talk in London. Photography is the only thing that switches my ADHD brain off and allows me to totally immerse myself in something. I've been shooting 4 years and my mental health and well being have never been so good. Great videos as always Sean.

You walk for hours and end of the day there is that one picture, that inspire you to work more.

These kinds of videos help a lot. Instead of showing gears and that this is the kind of video we need to feel at ease with our photography journey.

That was great. Motivated me to go shoot in my town, to capture the progress and history of a place that I guarantee, would not otherwise be preserved. People move too fast, drive too fast, ignore a sunset or a full moon, focused on their end mission to drive to work or the grocery store, or to check for social media updates on their smart phone (while driving), missing the beautiful world around them. I see it all, not always capturing it, but noticing it day to day as I drive to and from work. If only I had a camera installed in my eyes. The world is a beautiful place, regardless of whether the people are not.

As a Dad with a full-time job, Pete's story really connects with me. Photography allows me to clear my head of the "stuff" that work and home life chucks at me. Thank you Sean and Pete for making this video and sharing your story.

Again Sean, an introduction to the real world we live in and an introduction to Pete Wands. Thank you. We need people like you to continue to tell the truth as it is. Life through photography. Copability through friends we never meet.

I’m so struck by the amazing clarity Pete has, and I think really comes out in his creativity - such compelling images. It touched home with me as someone who has returned to Glasgow after years abroad and struggling to find creative flow. Thank you for sharing Pete 🙏🏽

Fantastic video, Sean. One point that stands out is that Pete said that he may not live in New York or Paris, etc, etc, yet come on… he still lives in one of the most beautiful and unique cities in the world! He is very blessed!

This video is related to me as well. When I hold my camera in my hand, it gives me happiness and a peaceful mind. I forget al my job tensions and pressures. Thank you, Sean 🥰

Pete describes the meditative and mental health benefit of photography and mental state of flow. It is a great reminder to my own journey and experience.

"Do not treat photography like a hobby that you are just relegating to once a week. Jump in it with both feet, and live it. Live your life around photography and cultivate the passion of it, because it's all about keeping your psychology healthy in a time of a lot of stress and frustration." ~Art Wolfe

Absolutely remarkable episode... I lost all my gear a year ago, body and 5 lenses. Inspired me to take up street photography again. Thank you !

This was wonderful Sean. I think a lot of us can appreciate what Pete was saying, but he was able to so eloquently put it into words.

Thank you for this video, it is so important that we have something in life that brings us joy and allows us to express our creative selves. We have to have that outlet, be it photography, writing, poetry, painting, sculpture etc. Be creative, allow yourself to see the world like a child, in all its wonder.

I totally agree with every comment that I have read here. I use an expression that I read on another YT site - it is called "Shutter Therapy".

omg!!!!! So good he's one of my favorite street photographers on Instagram - glad he's getting the credit for his work finally!

I work as barista. Dealing with lots of people and also being creative with my job took a toll on me. I used to shoot when I was 30 years ago, then life caught up and lost interest. Then the last few months I was hungry for something creative to feed my soul and was itching to pick up the camera again. Since I don’t have my old equipment due to relocating to different cities, I need to replace it. Last mont, I finally relented and bought a new camera equipment, took some refresher course online to learn something new and get to know my equipment. Today, I went for my first shoot and since I lived in New Orleans, my environment is unique, ready to be photographed. Afterwards, I felt productive, elated, and motivated. I wasn’t lazy like i used to do on my day-off , but eager to get back out again. I don’t think about work, since I was engaged to take pictures as many as I can. With the accessibility of these modern technology I was able to see the images that I took and spent the rest of my evening editing and uploading my images rather than just binge watch anything on streaming apps

Sean, thank you for sharing Pete's story and showcasing his talent which in my opinion is top notch, a truly gifted individual who works hard to make our world a better place.

I really resonated with his points of photography being a meditation. It's the same for me. I've been struggling with major photography "block" recently, trying to find my passion again, and this video really helped. Photography is also about patience - his point about the girl at the window.. sometimes you have a very small window of moment to take a photo. But you need to be patient and observe and anticipate to capture those best shots. Also very happy to hear that even Pete has days where there are photos he doesn't like, or doesn't have good sessions. Thanks for the thought provoking share, Sean.

What a fortunate guy Pete is to have such a fantastic and historic location on his doorstep. He takes some stunning images.

These films are truly inspiring ❤

I took up photography during the great global reset of three years ago. I had (and have again) a creative performance job, but like a great many people suddenly found myself jobless, and the need for creative expression overtook me almost like a literal hunger. I didn't really have money for a camera but just got a new phone and realized that I could use it to explore what was a long-forgotten childhood fantasy of making good photos. There are a great many people who don't consider mobile photography to be "real photography", and it's true that I lack an enormous amount of technical knowledge that comes with using a dedicated camera, but with effort I have been able to create some things that I, and at least a few other people, think are pretty good. Learning and beginning to fulfill that childhood dream has been the most satisfying thing to happen to me in probably decades. It truly helped me to sort of "reset" myself, how I see myself, and who I am at my core.

In a world where we get bombarded by horrible stories and tragic news, Mr Sean Tucker comes in and introduces us to all these wonderful and real people who showcase the Goodness of life. Sort of an undercover pastor for the art world. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU VERY MUCH !

Sean, thank you for introducing us to Pete, and of course to Pete for his observations and lovely photos!

Great interview, lovely chap and excellent images. He’s so calm and collected, great character traits for his photography….and his job

Going back to film recently really allowed me to slow it down and be more conscientious about photography. Mentally calming to walk around and document the things around me from my perspective.

Thank you for interviewing Pete. Photography is my escape from the challenges with my teenagers. It calms my soul. I enjoy looking for scenes that catch my eye and have so much fun when I catch up with the people in our photo walk group. Stunning photos 🤎

Dear Sean, I am so happy I found your channel. Fantastic videos - this one too. Such an inspiring kind and calm person. I really enjoyed it and actually everything you share. Thank you 😊

Yeah wow - definitely resonate. I was thinking as Pete was sharing something of his story that a camera in the hand - no matter what the brand or specs etc, is a human leveller. When the tool is drawn up to capture a moment, we all who use a tool, hold a common moment of humanity. We could be a doctor, a mechanic, a farmer, a mother, a retail assistant, a pilot . . . . but at that moment when the camera comes up - we are a photographer capturing a moment in the world. A common thread of human story telling . . . . . Thanks Sean for sharing something of Pete's work and story.

Recently, I've come to the realization that street photography is, indeed, a therapy for me. I've struggled with daydreaming for the most part of my life, and usually I daydreamed when I was out and about, travelling from one destination to another or simply going out for a walk. But street photography has taught me to pay attention to the real world; silence my swarming thoughts, get out of my head and focus on what's around me. It has taught me to find beauty where I couldn't see it before. Thank you so much for this wonderful video!

Wonderful and important video! The photo of the woman in the window, just spectacular, such a lovely photo. Made me unexpectedly emotional.

This is all universally true. If I had not had photography, many of life’s hardships would have been overwhelming. I find it interesting how ‘mindfulness’ has become a thing in the last 15 years… walking with a camera has always been extremely mindful. As for this video: It helps that Edinburgh was the first photo trip I took after my wife passed away in 2017. Scotland + Photography is great therapy! Thanks for this

I took up photography to decompress after 30 hard intense years as a London detective and a single parent … I’m still trying … but photography has helped … I take each day with gratitude ….

Yet another great video by Sean featuring Pete Wands. I'm a father, a son, a husband... And a migraine warrior. Photography is my pain killer. Everywhere I go, I bring a digital and a film body with a couple of lenses. It's FOMO. I've got to learn how to minimize my kit and enjoy what I have on hand. That would define my creative style. Besides, I'm getting old... So I've got to be mindful of too much heavy gear. Whatever it is, I am satisfied with most outcomes. Anyone in the same predicament as me?

Such an important message, I totally related to it. Photography and walking throughout the covid period really helped me. Pete captures Edinburgh like no other, lovely to put a face to a name. Thank you for making this one Sean x

Follow both of you for 3-4 years since I got my first Fujifilm camera and its great to see you together for the first time! Pete is amazing, he totally deserved to be in one of your videos. I also like Kudo Bass, I wonder if you know him too Sean. These are 2 best street photographers from Edinburgh in my opinion. Ive seem you had a work shop a week or two ago here but I could not make it and also kinda struggling mentally with life and newborn but nevermind... Cheers for a nice video Sean!

Photography as a whole does this but specifically street photography brings me to a place of calmness and self awareness. Terrific video thank you

Thanks again Sean for sharing Pete's beautiful perspective on photography. And thanks, Pete, for inspiring us with this important topic of mental health!

Thank you Sean for a wonderful meaningful video. Also thank you for shining a light on Pete, a delight of photographs and individual style.

These videos/interviews are really amazing Sean. Super inspiring! Thank you so much.

Thanks for more inspiring works, Sean, really glad I found you and your channel 2-3 years ago!

Another fantastic video Sean always enjoy these films that you made interviews found this very inspiring, thank you

Thank you both.

Well done! Thank you for sharing, Pete and Sean!

I do photography in remote mountainous Indonesian villages where the children seldom see Westerners & there aren’t any tourists. Often I’m the first Caucasian they’ve seen. The kids have had to be reassured that I’m not a ghost. The adults are most welcoming. After 10 years I have thousands of images of their way of life, ceremonies, weddings, funerals. For me it’s liberating. I get in the groove and I’m away. I love it and I’m am welcomed back as I’ve made friends along the way. I’m documenting this for posterity, but for now it’s the ultimate get away to relieve stress and anxiety. There is lot of walking involved so I also get physical exercise getting about. I love it. Readjusting to the pace and complexity of the West after being up in these villages is a task that takes time cos the West has lost the plot.

Such a brilliant video - powerful, impactful, inspiring and motivational. Thanks a million for putting this together.

Wonderful video and wonderful message. I’ve been enjoying Pete’s work (mostly on Twitter) for a while, and to hear his back story, and his “reason” for photography resonates deeply - I feel the same way, it’s many of the same reasons why I go out daily to do street photography. Thanks to both of you for sharing this🙏

Thanks for this video Sean!! Very well done!!

This is a fantastic interview. Love it. One of your best Sean! Thanks for bringing Pete to our attention. He certainly is an inspiration!

It's certainly healthful to be totally immerse in an activity, whatever it is. It's a paradox that as you forget yourself, you get the opportunity to know yourself better and find a strength that you didn't expected.

Just a simple like of this video is not at all enough to appreciate the profound message in this video and how the story is shared! Brilliant Sean! Thank you ❤

I really needed to hear this today. Thank you

Thanks Pete for your ingenuous thoughts! Thanks Sean for your work, again!

Just outstanding. Thank you for working to put this together.😊

Thank you for this, what a lovely interview. Pete Wands has such a kind gentle manner, his patients are very fortunate to have him. I love the colour and atmospherics in his photos..

Thank you for this video and the reminder of how doing this can be helpful to our own mental health. I feel best after coming home from a leisurely photo outing. Hurried outings are not as stress relieving as the deliberate ones.

Thank you for yet another fantastic presentation

Thank you Sean and thanks to Pete for sharing and being vulnerable. Some great messages here! Geoff

Thankyou thankyou for this...perfect

It's a cold and rainy day in Britanny, France and I was watching RU-vid looking for inspirations. This video made me get out to shoot, thank you Sean and Pete for this video.

Dr. Wands touches on the very thing that’s kept me alive. I am grateful. Regards from Portland, OR., Dr. Daryl

Without photography, I wouldn’t be able to to quiet the monkey mind and the constant clatter of thoughts caught in a loop. It’s a meditation that I’m grateful to have and it brings me so much joy and inner peace.

Thanks so much for this, it definitely hits home, especially the "trying not to try". I use my camera to see.

Beautiful, gentle insight. What a lovely, fine person. Hats off to both of you for making this video. It matters.

This is so beautiful, so human & somehow both calming & inspiring at the same time.

Superb Insight and made realise how important my weekly photography is to my mind set, working in a particularly demanding and unforgiving industry. I think mine evolved sub-consciously but the effect is the same. Thank you to both of you for this

Lovely!

Thank You, Sean for your continued production of enriching meaningful content So inspirational for us on our own photographic journeys 👍 Be Well, Sean

So many points in common, great interview and images.

Thank you for making and sharing this video. Very inspiring and I feel the exactly the same when I'm shooting.

Excellent work gents. Ive alway enjoyed seeing Pete's work of the city.

What a wonderfully open, vulnerable discussion; utmost respect to Pete for sharing his journey and his beautiful work. Appreciate you making this video Sean.

Any type of photography I find extremely therapeutic, very relaxing, and it makes me very happy!

This is why I take up photography too! The daily grind of work and taking care of kids would get to me. Photography provides a creative outlet where I can turn off my brain for the moments between deciding the composition, change the camera settings to get the picture in my mind and press the shutter button. Plus being outside doesn't hurt either.

Hey there! I just wanted to drop by and say congrats on your latest video - I found it super helpful and informative! Your content is always on point, and I really appreciate the effort you put into sharing your knowledge with the rest of us. Greetings from Spain. Hope you have a great day, and keep up the awesome work!

Fascinating interview and some stunning photographs..makes me realise I should aim higher in my own photography…thank you for sharing..

Another great one. And great photos!

Thank you Sean and thank you Pete, fantastic message.

Beautifully done Sean, and thanks to Peter for sharing his story, I myself suffer from mental issues, photography is a big outlet for me, I fear leaving the house I have to think about it a lot , I have to plan ahead of time to even make an appointment, but as soon as I lift my camera to clean it something switches, everything else goes out the window,, I don't engage with people I get increased anxiety stressful episodes, but I lift my camera the world is my canvas, should it be a can someone has dropped in the street to a lonely tree in a field it's mine to take and take home with me, Photography is a powerful tool and photographers like you and others don't realise the impact you have on people and what it means to them to have you all, God bless.

Thanks Sean and Pete for making this video🙏

Wonderful listen and images.. Thanks Pete & Sean...

Sean, thanks for this one. I enjoyed it very much. As a person who lives with a spouse suffering with mental health issues, fortunately well managed, I found listening to Pete very grounding.

another fantastic video, Thank you. Photography saved my sanity during the pandemic.

Beautiful and important video Sean. I agree with all the mental sentiments regarding photography. Loved the production and Pete's stunning photos.

Thank you Sean!❤

Beautiful video. I can relate to many of the things he says in terms of using photography as way to relax from the busyness of having young kids and family life. I can get into that peaceful flow state sometimes while out practicing photography which I love and am great grateful to be able experience.

Great philosophy. I wholeheartedly agree

You are an amazing man Mr Tucker, much love and respect

Beautiful work! Photography regularly helps my mental state.

I use street photography as a form of meditation as well. I'm so in the zone that I can walk for kilometers on end without noticing. 😌

Ahh I am only 6 minutes in but already am so grateful for this! So deep and brings such a huge smile to my face I can feel this mans expressions!

While watching this video I felt like I was talking, I have the same kinda life. I live in Jersey small island with a small town way smaller than him, but I can't go anywhere else without taking the ferry! Family status is different I have my kids during the weekend so I mainly shoot in the week, morning or night before or after work and sometimes at lunch time, I enjoy the peace of mind I have while walking around. It something I need to do. Speak about mental health or personal life, I live by myself I'm originally from France and I noticed that my street photography mainly show 1 person at the time which resonate with my personal life, like being alone. Anyway thank you very much Sean for this video if ever visit Jersey give me a shout I would love showing you the island and my work. Pete beautiful work I definitely going to have a proper look into your Instagram.