What We Learned from a Photographic Component in a Study of Latino Children's Health

Abstract

This article reviews the contributions of three different kinds of photographs taken in a study of Latino children's health. The three photographic methods were photos of children taken by their mothers who were given disposable cameras, photos taken by research staff during regular home visits, and photos taken in a day-long period of intense observation. Using qualitative and quantitative comparisons of the photos generated by these methods, the authors conclude that the Day in the Life method—although the most expensive—also provided more new information. Specifically, the authors learned more about the children's family relationships, feeding patterns, and the safety and stimulation of their home environments.