“When I come to the photo group, I forget about my problems. I have a lot of things of my mind but I forget about those things when I take pictures. When I come to the group, I feel like I can finally relax.” –A.
Participants met every fortnight and were provided with digital cameras and basic instruction and encouraged to use the medium of photography to explore their physical environments and inner thoughts. Exploring the medium of storytelling and self-expression, group members worked in a supportive environment where they engaged in creative decision-making and sharing, both in their picture taking and in the wording of their accompanying captions.
During each session, photographs were actively created, posed for, talked about, reconstructed and revised to illustrate and re-tell new narratives about the photograph and the MRCF photographer.
The purpose of our group was to allow clients to better reach, understand, and express parts of themselves in ways that were previously not possible.
Comments from Participants, Spring 2010
The photo group was very interesting because it gave me an outlet to express my skills and build on my strengths. This has taught me to be patient and to recognize other people’s strengths. I have met a lot of different people on this course what was very nice. This has built my confidence in a big way. Thank you.
The photo group workshop at MRCF has helped me to learn how to take photos. It has helped me to value different pictures and make stories out of these pictures. These photos keep good memories. I like taking photos. Now I know how to use a camera. Thank you to MRCF!
The photo group was a very good opportunity for taking photos. Photography is something that I like very much and I would like to work as a photographer one day. I learned more about how to take a photo from difference angles, see things from different sides, and make better photos.
This workshop was led by Joan Hodges and Maro Pantazidou. Joan is a Masters student studying Refugee Care in a partnership program between the University of Essex and the Tavistock-Portman Clinic in London. Maro is a Masters student studying People, Participation, and Power at Brighton University.
