A member’s story
The Empty Canvas in My Head
After decades behind a camera, a photographer learns his mind has never produced images, a discovery that explains his compulsive archiving, his instinctive way of shooting, and his lifelong habit of trusting what's in front of him over what's in his head.
Alexander Kesselaar · September 2026
A member’s story
‘That’s Not How I Pictured It’ – Why Book‑to‑Film Adaptations So Often Disappoint
Film adaptations and illustrations can clash with our personal mental images. However, for those with aphantasia, who cannot mentally visualize, these on-screen adaptations offer a uniquely liberating way to experience stories.
Julia Thomas · July 2026
A member’s story
What’s It Like to Be an Artist With Aphantasia?
An artist shares his surprising discovery of living with aphantasia—the inability to visualise. Despite being unable to picture faces or landscapes, he reveals how this unique trait shapes his creative journey, forcing him to work instinctively, embrace experimentation, and use photography, digital tools, and video to help translate emotion into art.
Paul Windridge · June 2026
A member’s story
Imagination Beyond Mental Images
Haiku is often called a visual snapshot, but as a poet with aphantasia, I see nothing in my mind's eye. For forty years, I thought "picturing it" was a metaphor. From childhood memory tricks to professional poetry, I’ve learned that a mind without images doesn't lack imagination—it just meets the world through a direct and powerful connection between attention, relationship, and the timing of perception.
Mark Farrar · April 2026
