What femLENS workshops are
femLENS delivers documentary photography workshops that support women and girls in telling their own stories through images. Since 2015, the non-profit association has worked with women from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds, using photography as a tool for self-expression, reflection, and community engagement.
The workshops combine visual storytelling, basic photography skills, and ethical documentary practices. They are designed to be accessible, participant-led, and grounded in the lived experiences of the women taking part.
Who the workshops are for
femLENS workshops are designed for:
• Women and girls from communities with limited access to creative or technical education
• Participants with no prior photography experience
• Women interested in storytelling, community issues, and self-expression
• NGOs, community centres, women’s organisations, schools, and informal associations working with women and girls
Workshops can be delivered in person or online and are adapted to local contexts, age groups, and community needs.
Workshop approach and methodology
The femLENS methodology brings together documentary photography, qualitative research, and photovoice practices. Workshops are participant-driven, encouraging women to choose their own themes and to document their lives and communities from the inside.
Photography skills are taught using mobile phones or other easily available cameras, reducing technical and financial barriers. Group discussions, image analysis, and collaborative feedback create a safe learning environment where participants can experiment, reflect, and grow.
The workshops emphasise working with communities rather than representing them from the outside, challenging stereotypes and dominant narratives.
Ethics and responsibility in documentary photography
Ethics are central to all femLENS workshops. Participants are introduced to the responsibilities involved in documentary photography, including consent, representation, and accountability towards the people and communities they photograph.
Discussions on ethics are integrated throughout the workshops, helping participants understand the power of images and their potential impact. This ethical framework is guided by femLENS’ organisational values and formal Statement of Ethics, which underpins all educational and publishing activities.
What participants learn
Participants are introduced to:
• The history and purpose of documentary photography
• Using a mobile phone camera as a storytelling tool
• Basic photographic techniques and composition
• Visual storytelling and narrative structure
• Research and planning for photo stories
• Ethical considerations and consent
• Image selection and basic photo editing
• Digital tools and online platforms for publishing and sharing work
The learning process prioritises visual literacy, critical observation, and confidence in self-expression.
Workshop structure and format
A standard femLENS workshop usually consists of multiple sessions combining short lectures, practical photo assignments, group discussions, and feedback. Participants work individually and collectively, developing a photo story over time.
Workshops typically include:
• Guided photo exercises between sessions
• Group presentations and peer discussion
• Individual mentoring and feedback
• Final editing and story refinement
The structure can be adapted depending on context, duration, and participant needs.
Outcomes and participant experience
By the end of a workshop, participants complete a small documentary photo project supported by a written narrative. They gain a portfolio of images and the skills to continue photographing independently.
Beyond technical skills, participants develop:
• Confidence in their own voice and perspective
• Greater awareness of their role within their community
• Experience discussing and presenting their work in a group setting
• Respectful critique and listening skills
Many participants describe the workshops as a space for reflection, connection, and personal growth.
Check out the femLENS Stories page.
From workshop to publication and exhibition
femLENS supports participants in preparing their projects for publication, exhibition, and further development. Selected stories are featured on the femLENS website, in exhibitions, and in We See magazine, a women-only documentary photography publication showcasing work created through femLENS workshops.
This process allows participants’ stories to reach wider audiences while remaining rooted in ethical and participant-led storytelling.
Check out the femLENS Stories page and past issues of We See magazine.
Our Global Impact
Partnering with femLENS
femLENS works in partnership with NGOs, community centres, women’s organisations, schools and other academic institutions, and informal groups. Partner organisations support participant recruitment and local coordination, while femLENS provides curriculum design, facilitation, and mentoring.
Organisations interested in hosting a workshop can contact femLENS to discuss needs, format, and adaptation.
Check out our workshop brochure or contact us.