Nikon has partnered with storytelling platform WaterBear to release The Mind in Focus, a short film exploring photography as a transformative tool for mental health. Featuring British photographer, actor, and Nikon Ambassador Heather Agyepong, along with creative Vanessa Anglade, the film examines how photography fosters healing, self-reflection, and connection.
The documentary reveals deeply personal insights into how Agyepong and Anglade use photography to navigate their mental health journeys. Through their creative practices, both find ways to express their identities, process emotions, and engage with their communities.
Agyepong, whose internationally exhibited work delves into themes of invisibility, the diaspora, and mental health, views her camera as a therapeutic tool. “My journey with photography begins with a personal experience of wanting to escape internal chatter and focus outward,” she says. “Mental health, to me, means centering myself and being gentle with myself.”
Stefan Maier, Senior General Manager of Marketing at Nikon Europe, highlights the brand’s commitment to empowering individuals through creativity: “The Mind in Focus underscores photography’s transformative power for mental well-being. By showcasing Heather and Vanessa’s stories, we aim to inspire photographers and filmmakers to explore how their craft impacts mental health.”
The film aligns with WaterBear’s mission to tell stories of human transformation and cultural connection. “Heather and Vanessa’s experiences demonstrate how picking up a camera can empower individuals and influence the broader mental health conversation,” says Poppy Mason Watts, WaterBear’s co-founder.
The Mind in Focus joins Nikon’s previous collaborations with WaterBear, such as History of the Carabiner and A Lens on the World. The film is available to stream on WaterBear now.
Film details:
- Film Title: The Mind in Focus
- Featuring: Heather Agyepong, Vanessa Anglade
- Themes: Photography, mental health, identity, self-reflection
- Produced by: WaterBear in partnership with Nikon
- Availability: Streaming on WaterBear