Picture This: Photovoice

Clip art is nice. Photovoice is better. Developed by Caroline C. Wang, of the School of Public Health at University of Michigan, Photovoice "...enables people to record and reflect their community's strengths and problems. It promotes dialogue about important issues through group discussion and photographs. Finally, it engages policymakers. ... Caroline C. Wang explains, 'What experts think is important may not match what people at the grassroots think is important.' … It entrusts cameras to the hands of people to enable them to act as recorders, and potential catalysts for social action and change, in their own communities...to promote an effective, participatory means of sharing expertise to create healthful public policy."

As a Research Associate at Harder+Company Community Research, I gained three years of Photovoice experience. Our team, which included partners from the AjA Project, was charged with evaluating the work of the First 5 Commission of San Diego (First 5 San Diego), a county government agency that funds programs and advocates for policy change to improve the lives of children ages 0-5.

In the first two years, parents involved in programs funded by First 5 San Diego took pictures to document their experiences before, during and after services. Interviews provided information for a one to two page case study of each family’s story. The case studies, paired with the photographs, appeared in First 5 San Diego’s FY 2003-2004 and FY 2004-2005 Annual Evaluation Reports.

In the third year, the project took a new direction under my leadership. Groups of parents created collective pieces. Their collages appeared in the FY 2005-2006 Annual Evaluation Report. Additionally, First 5 San Diego showcased the project at First 5 California's Statewide Conference in May 2005. Local and state Commissioners and First 5 supporters attended the exhibition at the San Diego Grand Hyatt. Parents’ photographs set the tone for the conference; columns were wrapped in banners and dozens of photographs lined the room. A brief write-up explaining the program accompanied each piece. There was also a video montage that brought parents’ voices alive.

Each year, parents celebrated the unveiling of their artwork at a “mini-exhibit” attended by First 5 San Diego staff, funded program staff and community leaders. Parents received framed pictures of their favorite photograph. Each program also received a picture (or a banner in year three) and electronic image files. Programs have used the images to create dynamic marketing materials to publicize their programs.

If your organization has a story to tell, you could use Photovoice. Whether you want to understand the community's strengths and problems, promote dialogue about important issues or engage decision-makers, you will find that Photovoice is a magical process, unlike any other.

Are you ready for your close up?