What is photovoice? ___Photovoice is a type of participatory action research in which people – usually those with little power – use photographs and/or video to picture their environment and experiences and to express their thoughts about them The goals of photovoice: ___To provide a voice for those who have none ___To instill critical consciousness ___To influence policy Why should you use photovoice? ___The rewards of taking photographs are immediate ___Photography is both fun and creative ___Taking photographs or videos of familiar scenes and people can change participants’ perceptions about their social and physical environment ___Basic photography is easy to learn and accessible to almost everyone ___“A picture is worth a thousand words” ___Images can be understood regardless of language, culture, or other factors ___Policy makers can’t deny reality when it’s staring them in the face ___Pictures, by creating a clear record of what exists at a particular point in time, can be used to hold policy makers and others accountable ___Photography and video provide a means for empowerment without requiring people to stand up and speak in public Who should use photovoice? ___People who lack a voice in the community or society ___Children and youth in difficult circumstances ___Homeless adults and families ___People with physical and mental disabilities or mental health issues ___People with chronic diseases or medical conditions – tuberculosis, diabetes, heart disease, etc. ___Members of racial, ethnic, linguistic, religious or cultural minorities ___People whose way of life is threatened ___People who are discriminated against because of class, caste, way of life, or poverty ___The rural poor ___People who live in difficult or unacceptable conditions and want to change them Some types of organizations that could benefit by using photovoice with participants: ___Schools and other organizations that work with children and youth ___Orphanages, group houses, homeless shelters, and other living situations for those who need care ___Organizations that work with people whose needs and humanity are commonly ignored ___Community health centers and similar health providers ___Organizations that serve people with physical and mental disabilities or mental health issues ___Advocacy organizations or health and human service organizations that include advocacy in their mission ___International aid and refugee organizations When might you use photovoice? ___When photovoice can change people’s opinions about themselves and their environment ___When a group’s situation needs to be publicized ___When a problem needs to be publicized ___When change is necessary, and photovoice can help sway policy makers ___When a community assessment is needed or in progress ___When you need to document the process of or gather data for an evaluation of an intervention or program ___When you need to hold policy makers or others accountable ___When you need to document a site, an event, or a way of life that is threatened or about to disappear How do you use photovoice? ___Photovoice should be a participatory, collaborative process from the beginning ___Participants and staff need training ___Participants need support ___The project should result in some action Putting together a photovoice project: ___Recruit participants, a mentor/facilitator, and staff/volunteers ___Plan the project with the community or group you’re working with ___Train participants: Technical training Training in ethical and safe photography in various situations. Group-building and training in working in a group. ___Train staff and/or volunteers: Technical training. Group facilitation. Basic counseling skills. Structure and aims of the project. ___Get out and take pictures ___Work regularly in small groups to discuss and reflect on the experience and the pictures, and to choose each participant’s best photographs or video sequences ___Stage an exhibit of participants’ photographs or videos ___Take action ___Follow up ___Evaluate ___Do it again
