Nikon Announces ‘The Mind In Focus’, A new film exploring the role of photography as a tool to support mental health

Heather Agyepong, British actor, photographer and Nikon Ambassador, shares an intimate approach to photography as a mindfulness practice in new film now available on WaterBear

Documentary and storytelling platform WaterBear, in partnership with Nikon, today announces ‘The Mind In Focus’, a new film that examines the intersection between photography and mental health. The film highlights photography’s unique ability to transform and heal, impacting creators and audiences alike.

The short film follows British photographer, Nikon Ambassador, and visual artist Heather Agyepong, along with creative Vanessa Anglade, as they explore the power of photography in their own mental health journeys. Despite their different approaches when it comes to photography, each finds it to be a vital tool for healing, self-reflection, and growth.

Heather and Vanessa open up about how photography has helped them understand their identities as individuals and as part of their community. The film aims to inspire filmmakers and photographers to reconnect with the stories that shape their communities and themselves.

Heather’s work, which explores themes of mental health, invisibility, and the diaspora, has been exhibited internationally. She describes her camera as a therapeutic tool that enables her to express herself creatively.

Heather Agyepong comments: “My journey with photography begins with a personal experience of … wanting to get out of this internal chatter, and just focus on something outside of myself. Mental health to me means centering myself and my life and being gentle with myself.”

Stefan Maier, Nikon Europe Senior General Manager Marketing says: “We are incredibly proud to partner with WaterBear on ‘The Mind In Focus,’ a poignant film that underscores photography’s transformative power as a tool for mental well-being. This collaboration aligns perfectly with Nikon’s mission to empower individuals through creative expression and visual storytelling. By highlighting the journeys of Heather Agyepong and Vanessa Anglade, the film beautifully illustrates how photography can foster healing, self-reflection, and community connection. We hope it inspires filmmakers and photographers to explore the profound impact of their craft on mental health.” 

Poppy Mason Watts, co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at WaterBear continues: “Being able to tell stories of human transformation in unique ways is at the core of the work WaterBear Studios do. This short film is a powerful example of how we can look and think differently about something we can all relate to in some way—how to know and understand ourselves, and know and understand the cultures and communities we come from. It’s our hope that stories like Heather’s and Vanessa’s can empower audiences to pick up a camera, and have a collective impact on the conversation around mental health and wellbeing.”

Previous films produced in partnership with Nikon include ‘History of the Carabiner’ and ‘A Lens on the World’. For more information visit https://www.waterbear.com/partners/nikon. ‘The Mind In Focus’ is available on WaterBear now