WHY do a user camera study

• In empathy work, you want to understand your users’ lives, and specific tasks within the context of their lives. A user camera study allows us to understand a user’s experience by seeing it through their eyes. It will also allow you to understand environments to which you might not normally have access.

HOW to do a user camera study

• Identify subjects whose perspective you are interested in learning more about.
• Briefly explain the purpose of the study, and ask if they would be willing to take photographs of their experiences. Get permission to use images they take.
• Provide a camera to your subject and instructions such as: “We would like to understand what a day in your life feels like. On a day of your choosing, take this camera with you everywhere you go, and take photos of experiences that are important to you.” Or you could try: “Please document your [morning routine] experience with this camera.” Or, “Take pictures of things that are meaningful to you in your kitchen.” Frame your request a little broader than what you believe your problem space might be, in order to capture the surrounding context. Many insights can emerge from that surrounding space.
• Afterwards, have your subject walk you through the pictures and explain the significance of what they captured. Return to a good empathetic interviewing technique to understand the deeper meaning of the visuals and experience they represent.

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