‘Sensing with’ photography and ‘thinking with’ photographs in research into teenage girls' hanging out

Abstract

In this paper, I approach photography as a multisensory practice that can deepen participant engagement in youth research. I argue that this engagement opens up possibilities for embodied reflection. I focus on the creative potential of both ‘sensing with’ photography and the event of ‘thinking with’ photographs by discussing two inter-connected methods: photo-walks and photo-talks. The insights are based on my research into the ways in which teenage girls live and hang out with their urban environments. My thinking draws on writings within material or ‘post-human’ geographies, non-representational theory and participatory research.

Keywords:

• hanging out
• girls
• non-representational theory
• participatory research
• photography
• visual methods

Acknowledgements

Writing can sometimes feel like a solitary endeavor. Yet, it cannot happen without encounters with others. I would especially like to thank Mikko Joronen, Pauliina Rautio and Sirpa Tani for their insightful feedback and support throughout the process. Also thanks to Lieven Ameel, Heli Ponto and Joakim Pyyry for stimulating discussions and comments. And warm thanks to the most important people in this research: the 10 girls who I had the privilege to work with. Our shared experience was fun and thought-provoking, and I could not have done this without you and your helpful teacher! Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge the affective power of San Francisco in this process. Finally, thanks to the editors and two anonymous referees at Children's Geographies for their critical and in-depth engagements with this paper. This research is part of a four-year (2011–2015) research project Dwelling with the City – Children and young people as participating residents (project number 255432), funded by the Academy of Finland as part of its research programme The Future of Housing and Living.

Notes

1. The participants were from 12 to 13 years of age. The research was conducted with the help of a seventh-grade art teacher and partly in school premises, but separately from school work. The project started at the school with a casual introductory session. The girls then filled in short questionnaires and produced mind maps in groups about their hanging out, after which they started taking photographs in their free time. I then met each girl for a photo-talk. At the end of the project, debriefing happened through mental mapping sessions, and selected photographs were organized as an impressive photo-exhibition by the girls.

2. I conducted several photo-walks in San Francisco in order to reflect on my research topic. These photo-walks happened both before and during the field work with the participants.

3. Instagram™ is a free photo-sharing service that allows users to share their photographs on a variety of social networks. Most of the participants had the service in their mobile phones.