Photo elicitation interviews

Pros and Cons

Number of people: could vary from one or two to a larger group depending on how many interviews you feel you need to conduct

Useful for: enabling direct involvement of people including people who have difficulty with speech, writing or who benefit from visual prompts to recall things. Photographs could be taken over a number of hours, or more likely, a number of days. 

Disadvantages:  the person taking the photographs needs to be able to understand that they should take photographs of a particular aspect of their experience, such as what makes them happy, or about their medications. 

Cost: relatively low cost 

Time: could vary from hours, to more likely, taking place over a number of days or weeks (initial briefing of the person with dementia, then a period of time in which they will take the photographs, and then the interview about their photographs).

Preparation

Brief the person with dementia about taking photographs (for example with their own camera, or one you are loaning to them), and what you are asking them to photograph.

The period of taking photographs

Many people with dementia will be able to do this for themselves. Some may need support from a carer to do this.

The interview

Ask the person with dementia to tell you about the photographs, one at a time.

Use open questions to encourage the person with dementia to choose what to say about each photograph.

Consider how long is feasible to go between when the person with dementia takes the photographs and when you interview them, so that they are supported to discuss their photographs before they have lost the ability to recall about taking them and what they represent.

Real-life example featured in this resource

Photo elicitation interviews assess experience of managing medications, Reading 

Useful links

Photo elicitation masterclass by Penny Tinkler, University of Manchester (not dementia-specific)