EDUCATION OF EMPOWERING PHOTOGRAPHY:

The method of empowering photography, borne out the The Loveliest Girl In The World project, has been used in Finland in therapy, education and workplace development since the year 2000. This award-winning social innovation developed by Savolainen elevates the exchange of a gaze into a tool for dialogic interaction and workplace improvement. The method reverses the balance of power between the photographer and the subject by creating a process of dialogue and transforming the photograph into an instrument of self-discovery.

Miina Savolainen is a social educator and community-art photographer from Helsinki whose works deal with social engagement. She has educated more than 3,000 professionals in Finland to apply the method of empowering photography in social work, health care and education.

Education of the method of empowering photography is mostly professional continuing education for social workers, doctors, therapits and teacher. Training is usually part of universities complementary programmes. Part of the public education emphasizes family relationships and narrative work for identity, and there is no viewpoint of the professional pedagogic use of the method. Open education in english is not currently available but it is possible to arrange invited and tailor-made courses, lectures and workshops.