Hi Naturefreak,
I am so sorry you are struggling with this, though happy you are seeking pleasure and expressing yourself creatively through your photography.
I, also am no doctor; however see that you have sincere strength in character that you find determination to, as you put it, make your life more pleasurable.
It is hard for those with depression (and this includes myself) to not overly indulge in the patterns of our thinking that fuel the misery and blackness that is this disease.
I furthermore find it promising that you are asking someone to ''..tell me I'm wrong''., which clearly indicates that you aspire a more healthy state of mentality, and that is so important for the recovery that you WILL find.
Again... NO doctor. However, chemical imbalances are indeed theoretically curable. You are making a very important step as we speak by engaging in acts you find pleasurable. I have heard that (in theory) the nerve endings in one's brain will physically react to repetitious thoughts of depression and form biological links to triggers in your brain that can ultimately result in automatically connecting a response system in your head that, (to say the least) does you a grave disservice. Although you may not see it today, what you are doing is more than likely, slowly but surely, correcting this brain imbalance.
Furthermore, the chemical imbalance you were referring to is most often regarded as an imbalance of the brain's neurotransmitters, which are the chemicals in your brain which allow it to communicate. One of which is seritonin. It is shown that people with depression have far less of this neurotransmitter. Hence, an overal ''imbalance'' or chemicals in the brain.
You will be happy to know that serotonin does not exist in any finite quantity. It is accessible in many ways, including through simple exercise and some food and natural vitamins and amino acids (the latter more in theory, you'd have to look more into it). There are also antidepressent drugs, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, (or SSRIs) and you can guess what they are designed to do. You probably see the ads for them everywhere, and many people have claimed great, often life saving results through one of these prescription meds. On the flip side, there are also risks, ineffective results, and side effects. Being as how every mind is very different, I hear that finding the right medication involves a pretty good commitment to working out what works best for you. It can be an instant or gradual success, but often can be a trail and error process.
Ultimately the best thing you can do is speak with a professional and ask about all your options, because, fortunately- there are options for recovery.
I hope this helps you some. I am looking into these options myself, and leaning towards a combination of psychotherapy and prescription medication.
It can be so dark for the depressed and impossible to see anything, let alone the invisible lining of hope. Though even if I can't see it yet, I will imagine it in anyway that I can and as much as I can. And I trust that, if I envision it enough, hope will drive me to getting the help I so desperately need. I am confident it will do the same for you should you allow it.
Good luck to you with this struggle and know that there is hope whether we see it yet or not. So be happy to be wrong on this one because, if even for the first time, you can be 'balanced'.
All my best,
oceansend.