Documentary Photographs for a University Project
Telling research stories through photography
This documentary photography for the University of Lincoln was part of research project to identify priorities for future mental health research in Lincolnshire. We were asked to create seven photo stories to highlight rural mental health support, working with groups and individuals in the county.
These photographs were to form a significant part of the finished report and funding application, bringing the issues to life with personal stories and a rich visual archive. Magneto photographer Jeremy Jeffs spent time working alongside university researchers, but also worked independently in the field — identifying participants, building relationships with local support groups and gaining access to communities across Lincolnshire. Working around a sensitive subject such as mental health required time, trust and careful attention to consent, while giving participants confidence in how their stories and photographs would be used.
Mental health in rural Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire faces significant mental health challenges, especially in its rural and coastal areas. It has the highest suicide rate in the Midlands and includes areas with severe mental health needs, such as Mablethorpe, Skegness, Chapel St Leonards, Spilsby, and Louth.
Factors like unemployment, high depression prevalence, and heavy use of antidepressants are particularly problematic in these areas.
Photography that supports research impact, engagement and funding
The finished project included transcribed interviews, portraits of participants in group settings and at home, photo elicitation and a large number of photojournalistic style pictures of the groups in action. The project forms an integral part of an application for further funding and is being exhibited at the University and many venues around the County.
Our clients found this to be an effective use of photography for academic research dissemination.
Photo-Elicitation
How to visualise academic research with photography
As part of the research process, I suggested including an element of photo-elicitation. This is a process of using photographs to prompt discussion or to create a more informal interview situation.
For this project, I re-visited each of the groups several times to share pictures and to record discussions and recollections, and participants were given the opportunity to respond to the photographs with written statements about their situation or the ways in which the groups have helped them.
The resulting images are a deeply personal insight into real stories, providing strong visual content for rural mental health research, and creating a collaborative approach between photographer and participant. For the university, this yielded rich insight and proved to be an effective and novel research method.
University case study photographers UK
With over a decade’s expertise in the area, Magneto provides professional photography for university research teams. Jeremy in particular has a strong interest in creating photographic documentation of rural health inequality, and in addition to commissioned work he is currently working on a small number of long term personal projects examining chronic illness.
Why commission photography for research impact?
Documentary photography plays a powerful role in helping universities communicate the real-world impact of their research. Whether it’s contributing to a REF impact case study submission or supporting public engagement with academic research, professional photography brings clarity, emotion, and authenticity to complex findings. At Magneto Films, we specialise in commissioned photography for research impact, working closely with university research teams to visualise their work in a meaningful, ethical way.
University research communication photography
Our recent collaboration with the University of Lincoln focused on mental health support in rural communities, producing a series of images that documented lived experiences across Lincolnshire. These photo stories were used to support dissemination of academic research, create powerful communication materials, and strengthen bids for further funding. If you’re looking to hire a documentary photographer for academic research, we can help craft a tailored, human-centred visual narrative.
Photographic agency
We do more than take pictures – we provide full photographic services from creative concepts, to casting actors, researching locations and running large shoots.
Documentary photography
Jeremy works on long-term documentary photography projects for charities, universities and researchers, often exploring health, lived experience and social issues.
Charity photography
We create impactful photography for charities