Auto-photography in aging studies: Exploring issues of identity construction in mature bodybuilders

Abstract

This article seeks to contribute empirically, theoretically, and methodologically to the literature on aging bodies and identity construction by analyzing auto-photographic data from a project that explores the embodied identities of mature bodybuilders. The analysis identified three salient identities that the participants constructed via the auto-photography task. These identities were; a healthy body-self, a performing body-self, and a relational body-self. In combination, these three identities offer insight into what mature bodybuilders themselves regard as important in their lives and social worlds. The ways in which the respondent driven photographs might allow additional insight into the meaning of aging, and also act as counter-narratives to dominant narratives of decline in older age is reflected upon.

Picturing mothers: A photovoice study of body image in pregnancy

“…For example, photo elicitation (Harper, 2002), autophotography (Phoenix, 2010), participant photography (Miller & Happell, 2006), and photovoice (Wang & Burris, 1997) are all approaches in which photography is a primary means of gathering data related to health and illness, facilitating dialogue with participants in interviews, and disseminating data to wider audiences (e.g., community exhibitions). When used with narrative approaches, photography has proven to be well-suited to illuminating participants' lived experiences of health and illness.…”

The Epistemological and Ethical Value of Autophotography for Mobilities Research in Transcultural Contexts

“…Researchers find these epistemological characteristics helpful for appreciating subjects' complex, materially-grounded experiences and interpretations of their social worlds, as evidenced by the method's use in researching constructions of the self (Kohon & Carder, 2014;Phoenix, 2010), the relationship between place and everyday life (Dixon & Hadjialexiou, 2005;Lombard, 2013), students' negotiations of educational institutions (Clark-Ibáñez, 2004;DeMarie, 2010), experiences of immigration and belonging (Faber, Moller & Pristed Nielsen, 2013;Streng et al, 2004), interpretations of health and disability (Booth & Booth, 2003;Carnahan, 2006), commuting practices (Guell & Ogilvie, 2015), and travel behaviour (Guell, Panter, Jones & Ogilvie, 2012).…”

Picturing mothers: A photovoice study of body image in pregnancy

“…Health researchers have used visual research methods in different ways over the last 20 years (Harrison, 2002). For example, photo elicitation (Harper, 2002), autophotography (Phoenix, 2010), participant photography (Miller & Happell, 2006), and photovoice (Wang & Burris, 1997) are all approaches in which photography is a primary means of gathering data related to health and illness, facilitating dialogue with participants in interviews, and disseminating data to wider audiences (e.g., community exhibitions). When used with narrative approaches, photography has proven to be well-suited to illuminating participants' lived experiences of health and illness.…”