Photo Voice
PhotoVoice is a UK-based Community Interest Company founded in 1999 that designs and delivers participatory photography projects, training, and consultancy for NGOs, academic institutions, government bodies, and underrepresented communities, operating across 50 countries via its bespoke PhotoVoice CONNECT platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Photo Voice does
PhotoVoice is a UK-registered Community Interest Company (CIC) founded in 1999 that designs and delivers participatory photography projects, training programmes, and consultancy services for social change. It works with NGOs, charities, academic institutions, government bodies, and corporate teams across approximately 50 countries, targeting underrepresented or issue-affected communities such as care-experienced young people, people living with HIV, veterans, and survivors of humanitarian crises. The organization has developed its own proprietary methodology organized into six engagement categories — Research, Communications, Campaigns and Advocacy, Co-Produced Resource Development, Consultation/Monitoring/Evaluation, and Confidence and Skills Building — supported by a publicly licensed Statement of Ethical Practice and the PhotoVoice Methodology Series.
The core technology asset is PhotoVoice CONNECT, a bespoke online platform developed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver participatory photography programmes remotely. The platform supports live facilitator-led sessions, self-guided learning, assignments, and safety-controlled content flows with expert moderation, and underpins the organization's online training delivery. Trademarked intellectual property (the word 'photovoice' and logo) and twenty-five years of project history provide defensive positioning against generic competitors.
PhotoVoice generates revenue through three primary streams: (1) training courses sold either as open-enrollment seats (online £783, in-person £810) or commissioned institutional packages (£2,520 introductory, £6,480 comprehensive, £7,560 bespoke, £1,750 team building); (2) commissioned project delivery and consultancy on a tiered day-rate basis; and (3) donations and charitable funding from trusts, foundations, and gift-aided individual giving, with approximately 85-90% of income directed to projects and communications.
Photo Voice firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Photo Voice
- Legal name
- PhotoVoice CIC
- Website
- https://photovoice.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- PhotoVoice is a UK-based Community Interest Company founded in 1999 that designs and delivers participatory photography projects, training, and consultancy for NGOs, academic institutions, government bodies, and underrepresented communities, operating across 50 countries via its bespoke PhotoVoice CONNECT platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Photo Voice industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Participatory Photography Services
- NAICS
- Photographic Services (54192), Commercial Photography (541922), Graphic Design Services (54143), Public Relations Agencies (54182)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Photography & Photo Production (BPAFAIAF), Content Production (Video, Design, Copy, Studio) (BPAFAAAF), Content Marketing & Branded Content Agencies (MPAAAAAF)
Keywords
Where Photo Voice is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Photo Voice business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Training Courses: PhotoVoice generates revenue through delivering training courses to individuals and organizations. Open enrollment courses are priced per person (Online: £783, In-person: £810). Commissioned institutional training ranges from £2,520 to £7,560 depending on course type and duration.
- Commissions and Consultancy: PhotoVoice is commissioned by organizations to design and deliver custom participatory photography projects worldwide. Revenue is generated through project delivery fees, with tiered day-rates based on organization income levels.
- Donations and Charitable Funding: PhotoVoice Charity receives donations which can be gift-aided. The organization is funded by trusts, foundations, and charitable giving. Approximately 85-90% of charity income is spent on projects and communications.
- Resource Sales: Sale of printed materials including the PhotoVoice Statement of Ethical Practice and potentially other methodology publications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Online Comprehensive Training - Per person rate |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | In-Person Comprehensive Training - Per person rate |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Introductory Institutional Training - Fixed price |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Comprehensive Institutional Training - Fixed price |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Team Building Training - Fixed price |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Bespoke Training - Fixed price |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Subsidised Training Places |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Photo Voice product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PhotoVoice designs and delivers tailor-made participatory photography, digital storytelling, and self-advocacy projects for underrepresented or issue-affected groups in the UK and internationally. The organization provides training courses (comprehensive, institutional, bespoke, and team building variants) and consultancy services to NGOs, charities, academic institutions, government bodies, and corporate teams. Delivery is supported by PhotoVoice CONNECT, a bespoke online platform developed in 2020, and underpinned by a proprietary methodology organized into six engagement categories.
Product overview
PhotoVoice is a UK-based non-profit organization specializing in participatory photography for social change. The organization operates primarily through its bespoke online platform PhotoVoice Connect, which was developed in 2020 to deliver participatory photography projects and training online. The core offering includes methodology training courses (Comprehensive, Institutional, Bespoke, and Team Building variants) that teach participatory photography techniques for community engagement. PhotoVoice also provides commissioned project delivery and consultancy services worldwide. The organization has developed its own proprietary methodology organized into six engagement categories (Research, Communications, Campaigns, Co-production, Consultation/Monitoring, and Skills Building), supported by its published methodology series including the Statement of Ethical Practice and practical guidance papers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PhotoVoice Connect: A bespoke online platform developed by PhotoVoice in 2020 for delivering participatory photography programmes and training courses online.
Products and services
- PhotoVoice Connect Online Platform Bespoke online community engagement platform developed by PhotoVoice in 2020 for delivering participatory photography programmes and training courses online. Combines live video sessions, self-guided learning, photographic assignments, and interactive tools with expert facilitators controlling the flow of content, information, and activities.
- Comprehensive PhotoVoice Methodology Training Comprehensive introductory training course in participatory photography covering visual literacy, workshop design, facilitation skills, ethics, consent, and participatory editing. Delivered online via PhotoVoice CONNECT over five days with three live sessions and independent learning, or in-person over three consecutive days in London.
- Institutional PhotoVoice Training Institutional training courses delivered to organisations using PhotoVoice's standard curriculum, covering key concepts of participatory photography. Includes 1-day introductory course (£2,520) and 3-day comprehensive course (£6,480). Up to 12 in-person attendees or 10 online attendees. Travel and subsistence additional for in-person delivery.
- Bespoke PhotoVoice Training Tailored training course using PhotoVoice's acclaimed methodology as a starting point, with curriculum customised to specific project or organisational needs. Includes development of a bespoke project plan co-designed with the commissioning organisation. Priced at £7,560 fixed plus travel and subsistence, with up to 12 in-person or 10 online attendees.
- PhotoVoice Team Building Training Workshop designed to promote team-building and more effective communication between team members using photography. Covers perspective sharing, photographic treasure hunts, subjectivity in photography, and photographic storytelling. Delivered in-person for up to ten attendees over two consecutive days (3 hours per session), priced at £1,750 plus direct expenses.
- Commissions and Consultancy Commissioned participatory photography project delivery and consultancy services for organisations worldwide. Includes full programme delivery, training with ongoing support, and ad-hoc consultancy. Services cover project design, workshop planning and delivery, camera procurement, evaluation, exhibition, and consultancy on ethical consent, curation, and workshop design. Tiered day-rates based on organisation income levels.
Quantifiable outcome
- 85-90% of charity income spent on projects and communications
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Photo Voice
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Photo Voice technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Photo Voice partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Care Leavers AssociationminorPartner organisation for projects serving care-experienced young people. PhotoVoice has delivered multiple projects with care leavers including the Care Leavers In Focus (CLiF) programme.
- Christian AidcoreLong-term partner for international development projects. PhotoVoice's first consultancy project was with Christian Aid in DRC in 2000. Multiple projects delivered including BRACED in Ethiopia.
- LSHTM (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)coreAcademic partner for research projects involving participatory photography in health contexts. Long-standing collaborative relationship.
- HSE (Health Service Executive)coreIrish Health Service Executive partnered with PhotoVoice for EOLAS project using reflective photography for mental health services evaluation.
- Trinity College DublincoreAcademic partner for EOLAS project on co-produced mental health services evaluation using participatory photography.
- ODI (Overseas Development Institute)corePolicy research institute partnered with PhotoVoice for projects. Testimonial indicates high-quality photographs that attracted national media attention.
- Blesma, The Limbless VeteranscoreCharity for limbless veterans partnered with PhotoVoice for 'Where There is Light' project, delivering photography skills training to veterans.
- Frontline AIDScoreInternational NGO partnership for HIV-related projects including PITCH programme in Nigeria. Multiple collaborative photography projects delivered.
- Technical University of the ShannonminorAcademic institution partner for community engagement and photography projects in Ireland.
- Mental Health Foundation ScotlandminorScottish mental health charity partnered for community engagement projects using participatory photography.
- NYAS (National Youth Advisory Service)minorAdvocacy charity for children and young people partnered for projects addressing youth issues including sexual exploitation.
- Engage HereminorCommunity engagement organisation visible in PhotoVoice partner network.
- IIED (International Institute for Environment and Development)coreInternational environment and development research institute partnered for 'Gender Voice Power' project in Zanzibar and other international initiatives.
- University of ManchesterminorAcademic research partner for community engagement and photography projects.
- British Red CrosscoreHumanitarian organisation partnered with PhotoVoice for community engagement and project delivery. Testimonial indicates excellent quality work and flexibility.
- Save the ChildrencoreMajor international NGO partnered for projects including work in Sri Lanka post-tsunami. Key strategic partner for child-focused initiatives.
- World VisioncoreInternational NGO partnered for multiple projects including 'And We Shall Find Tales in the Shadows' with Syrian refugees in Jordan.
- International HIV/AIDS AlliancecoreGlobal partnership for HIV-related projects including 'Mysterious Youth Eyes' in Myanmar working with key groups affected by HIV.
- City, University of LondonminorAcademic partner for project with parents on low-income exploring food provision during cost-of-living crisis. Developed curriculum collaboratively.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Photo Voice competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Catchlight: A non-profit visual media organisation focused on using photography and visual storytelling to drive social impact. Directly comparable to PhotoVoice as a photography-for-social-change organisation working with communities and partners globally.
- Witness: International non-profit that uses video and visual storytelling to advance human rights. Comparable to PhotoVoice in its mission of equipping marginalised communities to tell their own stories through visual media and its training-of-trainers approach.
- Magnum Foundation: A non-profit that supports photography for social justice and documentary practice. Directly comparable to PhotoVoice as a photography-focused non-profit operating in the social-change space, though it emphasises documentary and editorial photography over participatory community projects.
- FotoKonbit: A participatory photography non-profit working with communities in Haiti and beyond. Directly comparable to PhotoVoice in using participatory photography as a community empowerment methodology, though smaller scale and geographically narrower.
Broad incumbents
- World Press Photo Foundation: Established international non-profit promoting photojournalism and visual storytelling. Comparable to PhotoVoice in its photography-education remit and global social-impact positioning, though it focuses on professional photojournalism rather than participatory community projects.
- International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED): International research and policy non-profit that has partnered with PhotoVoice on participatory photography projects (e.g., 'Gender Voice Power'). Comparable as a broader social-impact organisation that uses participatory visual methods, though photography is one of many tools.
Emerging players
- Panos Pictures: Photo agency and visual-storytelling organisation focused on under-reported global issues. Comparable to PhotoVoice in its social-impact photography remit, though it operates as a commercial agency representing photojournalists rather than a participatory methodology provider.
- Lucie Foundation: Photography non-profit supporting photographers and visual projects across social-impact themes. Comparable as a photography non-profit offering grants and programmes, though less focused on participatory community-led methodology.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Photo Voice social profiles
Digital presencePhoto Voice financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Photo Voice leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Photo Voice funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Photo Voice M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Photo Voice
What does Photo Voice do?
PhotoVoice designs and delivers tailor-made participatory photography, digital storytelling, and self-advocacy projects for underrepresented or issue-affected groups in the UK and internationally. The organization provides training courses (comprehensive, institutional, bespoke, and team building variants) and consultancy services to NGOs, charities, academic institutions, government bodies, and corporate teams. Delivery is supported by PhotoVoice CONNECT, a bespoke online platform developed in 2020, and underpinned by a proprietary methodology organized into six engagement categories.
Is Photo Voice a public or private company?
Photo Voice is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Photo Voice founded?
Photo Voice was founded in 1999. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Photo Voice based?
Photo Voice is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Photo Voice make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Training Courses are the primary driver. The others are commissions and Consultancy, donations and Charitable Funding and resource Sales.
Who are Photo Voice's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Catchlight, Witness, Magnum Foundation and FotoKonbit. Broad incumbents are World Press Photo Foundation and International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). Emerging players are Panos Pictures and Lucie Foundation.
Does Photo Voice have an API?
No public API is recorded for Photo Voice.
What industry is Photo Voice in?
Photo Voice's product category is Participatory Photography Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAJ, Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits, with a secondary code of BPAFAIAF, Photography & Photo Production. Its NAICS code is 54192 and its SIC code is 7330.