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Nature-based meaning-focused photography increases meaning in life by 0.36 SD in college studentsNature photography and writing improve well-being for college students

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Key Takeaway
Note that while nature-based photography improves well-being in students, effects were not sustained after 1 month.

This randomized controlled trial enrolled 219 college students to evaluate the impact of nature-based meaning-focused photography on psychological well-being. Participants were assigned to either a photography and writing group, a photo-only group, or a waiting list control group. The primary outcomes measured were meaning in life and subjective well-being, with life satisfaction as a secondary outcome.

Results showed that the combined photography and writing intervention produced positive effects compared to the control group, with effect sizes of 0.36 SD for meaning in life, 0.27 SD for subjective well-being, and 0.66 SD for life satisfaction. The photo-only group also showed positive effects compared to control, with effect sizes of 0.27 SD for meaning in life, 0.24 SD for subjective well-being, and 0.54 SD for life satisfaction.

Safety and tolerability data were not reported. A significant limitation noted was that the positive effects on meaning in life and well-being were not sustained after a 1 month follow-up period. Practice relevance suggests that combining nature-based photography and reflective writing may improve well-being, particularly for individuals with lower subjective socioeconomic status, limited prior nature exposure, or lower baseline psychological well-being.

Finding a sense of purpose can be a challenge for many students. A recent study looked at how combining nature-based photography with reflective writing might help. The researchers found that students who participated in these activities reported higher levels of meaning in life and overall well-being compared to those who did not participate.

The study included 219 college students in an online setting. Even those who only did the photography portion saw improvements in their life satisfaction and well-being. These positive effects were especially noticeable for students who reported lower socioeconomic status, less prior exposure to nature, or lower initial psychological well-being.

While the results were positive, the study also noted that these improvements were not sustained after one month. This suggests that while the program offers a boost, it may not be a permanent fix without ongoing practice. Talk to a professional if you are looking for long-term mental health support.

What this means for you:
Nature photography and writing can boost life satisfaction, especially for those with less access to nature.

Common questions

Who does this photography and writing program help the most?

The study found that the program was especially helpful for students who reported lower socioeconomic status, had limited prior exposure to nature, or started with lower levels of psychological well-being.

How long do the benefits of the program last?

The study found that the positive effects on meaning in life and well-being were not sustained after one month. You should speak with a healthcare provider for long-term support.

Does just taking photos without writing help?

Yes, the study showed that the photo-only group also saw generally positive effects in meaning in life, subjective well-being, and life satisfaction compared to the group that did not participate.

Study Details

Study typeRct
EvidenceLevel 2
Follow-up1.0 mo
PublishedOct 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
Gaining meaning from nature contact can promote subjective well-being. However, few studies have validated the effectiveness of nature-based meaning interventions in enhancing subjective well-being. This study consisted of a 7-day online intervention to examine the effects of nature-based meaning-focused photography on well-being by comparing a photo-only group, a photo + writing group, and a waiting list control group and how meaning in life mediates the relationship between nature contact and well-being. A pre-registered three-arm randomized controlled trial (groups: photo + writing group vs. photo-only group vs. control group) * (time: pre-test vs. post-test vs. 1-month follow-up) was conducted with 219 college students. In the photo + writing group, participants captured nature scenes and wrote 100-word reflections. The photo-only group only took nature photos. The primary outcomes were meaning in life and well-being, and the secondary outcome was life satisfaction. A conservative Bayesian causal forest analysis based on machine learning was used to detect both treatment and heterogeneous intervention effects. Compared with the control group, the photo + writing group showed positive effects on meaning in life, subjective well-being, and life satisfaction, with average treatment effects of 0.36, 0.27, and 0.66 standard deviations (SD), respectively. The photo-only group also showed generally positive effects on these outcomes, with average treatment effects of 0.27, 0.24, and 0.54 SD, respectively. However, these effects were not sustained after 1 month. The intervention was especially beneficial for participants from lower subjective socioeconomic status, with limited prior nature exposure, or lower baseline psychological well-being. Importantly, enhanced meaning in life helped explain how the intervention improved well-being and life satisfaction. This study also demonstrated that combining nature-based photography and reflective writing can improve well-being.
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