Tell It With Photos

Resource
Ideas for Action
Grade(s)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

What Is it All About?

Take photos in your school and community that demonstrate themes such as diversity, positive body image, self-esteem, and positive space. Photos could be of people holding up signs with their answers to the question written on them.

Why Do It?

A picture is worth a thousand words.

How Do We Do It?

As a group, choose a topic or a question as the focus of the photos—it’s important to put a positive spin on this activity.

Decide if you want to host this idea as a contest or an art display that is open to the rest of the school.

Advertise the activity with posters, social media messages via the school social media accounts, and PA announcements that clearly tell people the topic of photos eligible for the contest.

Provide some guidelines for taking photos (e.g., ask people for consent before taking their photos, avoid graphic photos).

One take on this activity could be to stipulate that the photos cannot contain images of identifiable people in order to protect their privacy. Challenge participants to represent the theme without using photos of people.

If photos of people are used, ensure that the individuals know exactly what the photos will be used for, if they will be distributed online, and for how long the consent is valid.

Give a deadline for submitting photos and determine how people will submit them to you (drop off at school, email, text, social media, etc.)

Work with your adult ally at school or in the community to find a spot where the photos can be displayed.

What Else Do We Need?

  • Art materials (tape, paper, markers, etc.)
  • Cameras/cell phones
  • Computer and printer
  • Youth Waiver/Media Consent Form to take photos (includes the extent to which photos can be shared)
  • Optional: Prizes for the best photos

How Do We Get Creative?

Combine with another event.

Have people post their photos to Instagram and then use an app to easily print photos from the posting.

Make it a contest.

Keep the activity going with a theme of the month or week.


Adapted from PhotoVoice.