Collaborative Photography: Making Portraits Together

The NET Central City, High School | Civics and Journalism 
Ms. Chiarizio and Mr. Lewis

In a world filled with phone cameras and social media, young people are constantly creating, sharing, and viewing images. This spring, Mr. Lewis’ high school civics and journalism students spent time considering the relationship between the subject, the photographer, and the viewer of photographs. They then collaborated to create their own portraits, emphasizing the importance of consent and creativity in the process.

We began by discussing how a photograph involves a dynamic relationship between the photographer, the subject, and the viewer. I asked students to consider the difference between "making" and "taking" a photo. One student noted, “You are being more creative and acting like an artist if you are making a photo.” Another added, “Taking a photo means maybe you didn’t ask for permission before you took the picture. I don’t like when someone takes my picture without asking. The pictures I like of myself are ones my friends take and I make sure I look good!”

After weeks of analyzing, discussing, and writing about various portraits, students began creating their own photographs of each other. Emphasizing collaboration, students were asked to “make” rather than “take” portraits. This entailed deciding who they trusted to be their photographer, making choices about the background, specific camera angles and lighting, and planning out what they wanted to wear. While some students were initially hesitant, they soon embraced the collaborative nature of the project. They worked together, shared laughs, and produced images they felt proud of, capturing aspects of their personalities. 

These photos were then edited to create cover art for an end-of-term podcast project. “I’m so happy with how this turned out! My art is an ‘A’,” one student exclaimed. It was a joy to see students empowered through the creative process of making photographic portraits together.