four note friday 2.1 | Changes Coming to Photovoice Field Notes

After working on this space since July of 2025 and taking some time to reflect during the recent winter break, I have decided to make some changes and introduce some new initiatives.

In what follows, I will outline the moves made and to be made during the coming months. I am really excited about evolving this space into something more generative, accessible, and multifaceted.

🟣 All Posts (four note friday) Are Now Freely Available.

One of the things I've learned by launching this site after (and instead of) using Substack is that it's hard to generate newsletter/post subscribers through website. The context of Substack is such that potential subscribers find you easily and are primed by that context to press the subscribe button. This website is outside of that context, which was by design. I wanted to learn a new platform (ghost.org) and branch outside of the Substack ecosystem.

Rather than hustle up a handful of ways to generate new (free and paid) subscribers, I am relenting. Which I perhaps should have done from the start. As of today, ALL my weekly four note friday posts/newsletters will be completely free for those who visit this site. The only stipulation is that commenting on posts is only possible for subscribers (free). If you want weekly thoughts about photovoice to hit your inbox each Friday, subscribe. Otherwise, simply visit this site whenever you are so moved!

🟣 Photovoice Futures Podcast Coming Soon.

This spring, I am going to be embarking on a new adventure in podcasting. My tentative plan is to create an approximately three-episode podcast nano-series titled photovoice futures. Showcasing the photovoice and photovoice-adjacent work of new scholars is the goal.

Over the years, I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet, support, and work with lots of folks new to photovoice—many of whom are/were doctoral students using photovoice as their primary methodology through the dissertation. I want to leverage the podcast space to share conversations with such scholars so others may feel empowered and enjoy a sense that they are not alone during what is often a very isolating time.

🟣 Photovoice Office Hours Coming Soon.

This spring will also bring the launch of photovoice office hours, which, with the consent of those attending, will be recorded and shared. I've had this vision for a long time, and it is now time to bring that vision into reality. Similar to the podcast, I will be starting very small and am still working through the details. These office hours will be held on Zoom on Fridays—just once a month or so during the coming spring term.

Once I finalize my spring conference/travel schedule, which has quite a few question marks right now, I will announce the dates and provide instructions on how to sign up. This initiative, in conjunction with the podcast, might generate a fruitful space where photovoice practitioners new and seasoned can come together for dialogue, support, and community.

🟣 Photovoice for Everybody Zine (maybe) Coming Soon.

It has now been over 10 years since I had a hand in creating a good, old-fashioned zine. The itch has returned. The combination of working in the letterpress shop this summer, trying my hand at some printing and carving, and reading this book over the winter break has some old wheels turning again. I want to make a go of creating a photovoice zine.

While the above paragraph has some conviction to it, let me tamp that down here and emphasize the maybe in the section title. I am not going to hold myself to this particular idea because I am in a season of harshly critiquing my tendency toward completing arbitrary goals with unquestioning fervor. With little or no positive outcomes. In other words, I am not good at quitting things when I very much should quit them. So, this is and will remain a maybe. The title and cover art are started, however! 😊

I am very grateful to have had the space, time, and capacity to reflect on this space and all the things I imagine for it. The above changes will, hopefully, be steps in the direct of shifting this space into something more generative, accessible, and multifaceted. That's the aspiration.

Just last night, I completed the book Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff, which I enjoyed on the whole. In that book, she talks about learning in public, and so I am taking her advice a little bit by showcasing my thinking-in-motion about this space and my intentions for it through the next few months. Hope you'll stay tuned!

🥹 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