What is a Photo Story?

A photo story is a series of photographs that tell a story about someone’s life or show the steps in performing an activity. Each photograph inspires the writer to tell a story about it. This is a good activity for literacy groups because people can write at their own levels. Those with stronger writing skills can be encouraged to write longer stories with more detail. Those with beginning writing skills may start with one sentence for each photograph.

Ideas for Photo Stories

• If you have access to a digital camera, your group can make professional looking photo stories while learning a lot about the computer. Digital cameras are useful for recording the progress of a project, because you don’t have to wait for developing time. For example, if you are making a pair of kamiik, you can record each step of the process with the digital camera and write about it immediately.
• If you don’t have access to a digital camera, use Polaroid, 35mm or disposable cameras. Plan in advance, though, because everyone in the group will need an opportunity to use the camera and then the film has to be developed.
• Decide whether you are going to do photo stories in small groups or individually.

Group project ideas:

• Photos of all the Elders in the community with the story of how they came to live in the community.
• Photos of Elders with their own words about what they feel has been significant in their lives.
• Photos of Elders with their own words about their hopes for the future generations.
• Photos and text of the steps in completing a skill, such as making a tool or a piece of clothing.
• Photos and stories of a trip.
• You could also use old photos from personal collections or archives, scan them and use them in your photo story. But be very careful with personal photos; scan them and get them right back to their owners.

Individual project ideas:

• Photos of family members and their stories.
• Photos and text of a project you worked on yourself. For example: preparing skins and making a caribou skin amautik.
• Photos of special items from home with stories about their significance.
• Photos and stories of children as they grow.
• Photos and a journal of the person’s progress through the literacy program – feelings, accomplishments, events.