What is Photovoice? •Process, by which people identify, represent and enhance their lives and communities through a specific photographic approach.
•Entrusts cameras to the hands of people who are directly affected by policies, practices or conditions.
•Enables people to act as recorders and potential catalysts for social action and change in their lives and communities.
•Uses visual images and accompanying stories to promote an effective, participatory means of sharing expertise and creating proactive public policy.
What are the steps in a Photovoice evaluation? • Participants are invited to use cameras to document their perceptions with images. • Participants complete a photo mission. • Participants return their cameras so that facilitator can transfer pictures from camera. • Participants are asked to (1) select a few photos, (2) record ideas about the photo and (3) present 4-5 photos for the group to review and discuss findings.
Why Photovoice for evaluation? Photovoice has been used as a community-based participatory action research or evaluation activity for many organizations that seek authentic and relevant feedback on initiatives designed to improve or develop services and resources for the community. What makes Photovoice stand out is that the process requires that the images that describe the strengths and challenges of individuals' circumstances be taken by the individuals themselves. This strategy empowers participants to engage more deeply in the research process by being in control of the images used in the study. Photovoice also places a large emphasis on action-oriented results, including disseminating results to stakeholders who can influence change. This can be enacted through displays, community meetings, and through online and print publications.
* Lorenz, L.S.(2010) 'Visual metaphors of living with brain injury: exploring and communicating lived experience with an invisible injury', Visual Studies, 25: 3, 210 — 223.