four note friday 1.11 | Working with Photovoice Project Participants

Working alongside photovoice project participants/co-researchers has been one of the most significant joys of my professional life. This week, I am sharing four tips to consider when working with participants/co-researchers.

When we invite people into a photovoice project, we’re asking them to step into something a little different than a typical research study. There is quite a lot to explain!

What follows are a few pieces of advice based on my experiences. I could certainly make a much longer list, but these tips ought to be good places to start.

1️⃣ 👉🏼 Be upfront about how this is not a typical research study.

📣 Be real with participants/co-researchers about the unique nature of what you are inviting them to do. From the start, explain how photovoice differs from what they might think of as traditional research. There will be no survey. There will be no blood draw. Photovoice is different. There is a lot involved. Participants aren’t human subjects, they are partners. They are co-researchers, co-creators, storytellers, and meaning-makers. This sets the foundation for trust and shared purpose. Hopefully, participants/co-researchers will come to refer to the project as ours (not yours).

2️⃣ 👉🏼 Invite but don’t mandate participation in all the things.

🩵 Participation should always feel like an option, not a requirement. Let people decide how much they want to participate in the various parts of the total project. While photovoice is a form of critical participatory action research, participants/co-researchers may not want to participate in each and every step of the process. For example, they may want to take photos, engage in a focus group discussion, and attend the exhibition. But they may not have the time or energy to be a part of the data analysis or the exhibition planning. And that's okay! Always invite; never mandate.

3️⃣ 👉🏼 Assure there is no right or wrong way to do this.

🌱 Being artistic is not a prerequisite for involvement in a photovoice project. Creativity is not required. Sometimes participants/co-researchers want to know how to do the project right. There simply is no right or wrong way to do this. To be sure, you want to give participants/co-researchers some parameters. These include photography prompts and whether anything is off limits—such as pictures of anything illegal or peoples' faces. It may also be important to give some tips on the social implications of photography; taking photos in some contexts could be culturally unwelcome, and sometimes unsafe. Beyond those few guidelines, thought, participants/co-researchers should feel free to approach the project as they see fit. Their lens is unique and valuable. Every person's contribution matters. Remind participants that their perspectives (literally!) are what gives the project life.

4️⃣ 👉🏼 Provide lots of examples, suggestions, and menus.

📋 Offering prompts, menus, or examples can ease uncertainty. Think of it like giving folks a starting place rather than a prescription. Let's say you're working with a group of teachers. One participant/co-researcher wants to take a picture of all their students in their classroom to make a particular point, but that would involve taking pictures of minors' faces, which is not permissible. You might suggest they take a photograph of an empty classroom or create a metaphor, using another set of objects to represent their students. These tools spark ideas without limiting creativity. Remind participants about the voice that will accompany their photos. They will have the chance to explain their images. The images created through photovoice projects are not up for interpretation. Participants/co-researchers do the interpreting. Within photovoice, the photos and voices come together to provide the vehicle for participants'/co-researchers' explanations, lived experiences, and meanings.

Working with participants is about creating space for voice and choice. By being transparent, flexible, and supportive, we invite authentic contributions that make the project meaningful. Here’s to making participation feel like empowerment, not obligation!

🥹 Thanks for spending a moment with me this Friday.
💌 If you’re new here, welcome! I hope this space becomes one you look forward to each week.

📬 Have a question you want me to answer in a future issue? Reach me at photovoicefieldnotes@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for being here.

Warmly,
Mandy
photovoice field notes
photovoicefieldnotes.com