Ep. 24: Inclusion Through Images and Storytelling

If you’ve ever looked for a stock photo portraying disability to use in a blog post or on a website page, you might find yourself thinking they all look the same; they all look contrived; and they don’t authentically portray disability in all its diversity.

How disability is broadly viewed and perceived, can depend on how it’s seen through a photographer’s mind, eye, viewfinder and lens.

The first-ever environmental portraiture of people who have a disability was done by famous American photographer Diane Arbus, between 1969 and 1971. Whether the Diane Arbus Untitled series was artistically inclusive, or helped perpetuate myths and stereotypes about disability, is of course, open to interpretation.

Canadian commercial and portrait photographer Hilary Gauld, is on a personal mission to make sure her photographic work portraying disability, is inclusive and authentic; that it tells an inclusive story about the person.

Episode 24 is an engaging conversation with photographer Hilary Gauld and creator, storyteller, educator and inclusion coach Jenny Jay about:

• Hilary’s journey of learning to photograph disability authentically and telling an inclusive story
• The impact photographers can have on the disability community; and
• What photographers and other creators need to understand and be aware of, to create authentic disability imagery

SHOW NOTES

• View Hilary Gauld’s disability portraiture projects on her website
• Contact Hilary: oneforthewall@rogers.com
• Learn more about Jenny Jay
• Episode 24 transcript (PDF)