Photovoice or participatory photography is "a participatory action research strategy" as defined by Caroline C. Wang who invented the method in 1992 (Bullard, 2020). It can be defined as having members of a particular group/community take photos to show others their perspective or use their voice. It has been found to be a empowering practice for the photographers and useful in creating discussion for a variety of marginalized groups such as sex workers and HIV positive persons. It is the research methodology used by Dr. Rita Dhungel in her work with human trafficking survivors in Nepal; an exhibit of the voices of Dr. Dhungel's co-researchers was on display in the Abbotsford Library space in March 2022.
Image: CCAFS-SEA. 2017. Steps in Conducting a Photovoice Project. Wageningen, Netherlands: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS).https://hdl.handle.net/10568/82879
Sources:
Bullard, E. (2020). Photovoice. Salem Press Encyclopedia. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=ers&AN=109057118&site=eds-live&custid=s5672269
In this book, the photovoice methodology is conceptualized as being comprised of eight steps: identification, invitation, education, documentation, narration, ideation, presentation, and confirmation.
Photovoice is one such tool - a form of visual ethnography that invites participants to represent their community or point of view through photographs, accompanied by narratives, to be shared with each other and with a broader community.