“I believe in the power of self-expression through imagery, independent of an individual’s artistic training or background”, says Steve Koppel. During this session, he will discuss imagery as a form of self-expression, both from the perspective of a passionate photographer and from the view of individuals who are self-proclaimed “non-artists.” He will share examples of his own imagery conveying feelings and experiences during specific moments on the beaches and tidal flats of Cape Cod. He will also present images created by individuals using Expressive Digital Imagery (EDI) on mobile devices to convey thoughts and feelings in ways not possible through words alone. Many of these individuals face challenges including mental illness, cancer, and addiction, and he will share the moving stories they tell through digital imagery.
Steve Koppel
Steve spent 20 years as a business consultant with Accenture, leaving in 2002 to volunteer with non-profit organizations to help maximize social impact. Steve’s work includes serving on the board of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and roles with several other healthcare organizations including McLean Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Gosnold on Cape Cod.
Steve took up photography initially as a hobby in 2012, and his own imagery became unexpectedly therapeutic when his family experienced difficult medical challenges. This realization led Steve to found the EDI Institute (www.ediinstitute.org) as a charitable organization. Through Expressive Digital Imagery (EDI) and a specialized and first-of-its kind mobile app, the EDI Institute promotes healing, connection, and self-expression through digital imagery. To date, over 8,000 people have created more than 25,000 EDI images in settings including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, McLean Hospital, Yale New Haven Health, and the Gosnold Addiction Center on Cape Cod. Steve is passionate about EDI, and brings his business expertise, his commitment to helping others, and his belief in the power of imagery as a form of self-expression in leading efforts to integrate EDI into healthcare organizations nationally.
Steve’s own imagery seeks to convey the deep connection he has with Cape Cod, a place he and his family have cherished for over 30 years. A Brewster resident, Steve is represented locally by the FOCUS Gallery in Chatham and donates all proceeds from the sale of his work to the EDI Institute and to the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. Steve’s book, The Brewster Flats is a collection of emotive images chronicling the extraordinary visual spectacles that occur in this ever-changing landscape.