The Beauty of Less: My Journey with Neurodivergence and Minimalist Photography
Minimalist photography has always felt like home to me — a way to quiet the noise, focus on the essentials, and let simplicity speak louder than complexity. For someone like me, living with ADHD and autism, it’s more than an art form; it’s a way to make sense of a world that often feels overwhelming. Through my lens, I’ve found not just a creative outlet, but a way to connect with my own thoughts and emotions.
Today, I want to share my personal journey with minimalist photography — how it has helped me embrace my neurodivergence, and why it might just resonate with you, too.
What Minimalist Photography Means to Me
Minimalist photography isn’t just about “less.” It’s about finding the essence — the heartbeat of a scene or subject. For me, it’s about peeling back the layers of distraction to focus on what truly matters in the frame and, by extension, in life.
When I first stumbled into photography, I was drawn to the way light fell on a single object — a lonely chair in a sunlit room, a stark tree against a pale sky. Those moments of clarity mirrored something I often long for: simplicity amidst chaos. The principles of minimalist photography, like negative space and limited color palettes, felt intuitive, almost like they were waiting for me to discover them.
Why It Resonates
Living with ADHD means my mind can feel like a dozen tabs open at once. Minimalism, with its uncluttered approach, gives me a chance to focus on just one thing. It’s almost meditative — the way negative space allows my eyes (and mind) to rest, the way muted tones calm the storm of sensory input.
Autism, too, plays a part. My love for patterns, symmetry, and details finds a natural home in this style. There’s something soothing about composing a frame where every line and shape feels just right. Minimalist photography doesn’t just accommodate my neurodivergence — it thrives on it.
How Neurodivergence Shapes My Photography
Photography has taught me that the traits I used to think of as limitations are actually gifts. My heightened awareness of details means I notice things others might overlook: the texture of peeling paint, the way light filters through fog, the subtle curve of a shadow.
Focus and Hyperfocus
One of the paradoxes of ADHD is that while I often struggle to concentrate, I can also hyperfocus on things that truly captivate me. Photography taps into that state effortlessly. When I’m behind the camera, everything else fades away. Hours can pass as I adjust a single shot, chasing the exact balance I envision in my mind.
Seeking Order in Chaos
As someone on the autism spectrum, I find comfort in creating order out of the chaos. Minimalist photography lets me do that visually — taking a busy scene and distilling it into something clear and intentional. It’s a way of imposing structure on a world that often feels unpredictable.
The Therapeutic Power of Photography
Photography has become more than a creative pursuit; it’s a therapeutic practice. When life feels overwhelming, I grab my camera and head outside. Focusing on a single subject — a lone tree, a reflection in a puddle, or the curve of a shadow — grounds me. It’s a way to slow down, to breathe, and to remind myself that there’s beauty in simplicity.
Mindfulness Through the Lens
Photography forces me to be present. I can’t rush a shot; I have to notice the way the light shifts, the way the wind moves the leaves, the way lines converge in the frame. That process pulls me out of my anxious thoughts and into the here and now.
My Tips for Neurodivergent Minimalists
If you’re curious about minimalist photography, here are a few things that have worked for me:
1. Embrace Your Perspective
Your unique way of seeing the world is your greatest strength. If you notice the tiny things — a crack in the sidewalk, the way shadows dance on a wall — lean into that. What catches your eye will resonate with others.
2. Start Simple
You don’t need fancy equipment or a perfect location. Minimalist photography is about stripping down, not adding more. Start with what’s around you — a cup on a counter, a single flower against a blank wall.
3. Play with Negative Space
Let the empty areas in your frame do the talking. Negative space isn’t just blank — it’s powerful. It gives your subject room to breathe and your viewer space to feel.
4. Experiment Freely
There’s no right or wrong in photography. Crop, adjust, and play with light and shadows until your image feels right to you. Trust your instincts — they’re your best guide.
Finding Inspiration
Some of my favorite photographers have taught me that minimalism isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection. Artists like Hiroshi Sugimoto or Shauna Phoon remind me that a single frame can hold a world of emotion. Their work inspires me to keep exploring my own perspective.
Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Less
Minimalist photography has become a way for me to celebrate my neurodivergence rather than fight against it. It’s taught me that simplicity isn’t empty — it’s full of meaning, intention, and beauty. Every photograph I take feels like a small piece of my story, a glimpse into how I see the world.
If you’re neurodivergent and thinking about picking up a camera, I hope you’ll give minimalist photography a try. It’s not just about creating art; it’s about finding clarity, calm, and connection in a world that can feel overwhelming. Through your lens, you might discover, as I have, that the beauty of less is truly infinite.