Visual Storytelling Photography Workshop: Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, India
Young girls participate in training on proper nutrition and disease prevention at their school in Uttar Pradesh, India. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, Uttar Pradesh, India 2025
Having collaborated with PCI India on various projects since 2017, I can attest to their dedication to empowering communities and driving sustainable change. I am honored that PCI India was a sponsor of my 2025 photography workshop in New Delhi, India titled Humanitarian Photography and Visual Storytelling, by providing us great facilities and logistical support for the participants to photograph real world interventions in the field.
These two girls address the class after correctly answering key questions during the quiz competition on proper nutrition. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, Uttar Pradesh, India 2025
This unique, experiential photography workshop began in the vibrant heart of New Delhi and included fieldwork in the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh.
The workshop was nothing short of a great success with a total of 8 participants. All of them are gifted and passionate photographers employed in the development sector and represent the most frequent source of photographs for their organizations.
It was my goal to deliver a forum where we could all share our experiences to advance their skills in ethical humanitarian photography and impactful storytelling to better serve the mission of their organizations.
My long-time friend and colleague, Brijesh K G Rao, co-led this workshop with me and he brought a wealth of experience and perspective to the benefit of all of us. His own photography journey, combined with his expertise in the development sector, provided invaluable perspective as to the type of images that provide the greatest value to sponsoring organizations.
India Photography Workshop: An Immersive Visual Storytelling Experience
This field-based visual storytelling photography workshop offered a rare opportunity for participants to work directly with a non-profit organization on an active community health project in India to capture authentic, ethical visual narratives that amplify the voices of communities facing important health challenges.
The Humanitarian Photography and Visual Storytelling Workshop began in New Delhi with a review of technique and process.
Photography to Enhance Nonprofit Communication Strategy
Before the workshop, I worked with the PCI India team to obtain insight on the project they had selected to be photographed, their rationale behind the choice and their planned use of the images. This reflects the approach I urge photographers to take when planning a field shoot as the more prepared and aligned they are with the organizational goals, the greater value can be added to the non-profit’s communications strategy.
The origins of this particular project comes from the observation of a very high incidence of anemia and poor nutrition across India, in this case occuring in the state of Uttar Pradesh which is adjacent to the zone that contains the capital New Delhi. To address this highly preventable situation, it is essential to understand the cultural context of the problem and its solution by deploying a multi-pronged approach to address it.
In addition to directly addressing specific behaviors of young girls that are contrbuting to malnutrition, it is also critical to reach out more broadly to the community at large. Another major target of the intervention for this program is expectant and new mothers to ensure that they maintain their own health as well as set up their newborns for a healthy life.
Widespread beliefs that biscuits are sufficient for weaning babies is one misunderstanding and an obstacle. For this intervention to be effective, it requires significant outreach to involve the entire family, with a special focus on the engagement of the mother-in-law, who plays a key role in family planning and health in a typical Indian family.
PCI India was interested in photographs that illustrate the work in the field that demonstrate the significant efforts to provide direct education of girls in school, the outreach by PCI India staff and local health care workers within the communities and the integration of nutritional education into cultural activities such as community baby showers.
This program is aligned with a major interest of the Indian government to mitigate serious challenges from malnutrition. This particular program places special focus on deficiencies of Vitamin D, calcium and iron.
Experiential Training in Humanitarian Photography
The workshop took place over three days from February 28 to March 2, 2025.
On the first day, we assembled to review theory and challenged the group to consider how to enhance their visual storytelling. We then critiqued a wide range of images while I shared tips and my personal process for capturing images in the field.
The discussion was a great learning experience for us all and I certainly left with a greater appreciation for the needs of their organizations and the challenge these photographers face in obtaining quality images in the field. These challenges can include certain skills but are also often limited by lack of access to modern photography equipment (or phones), to the practical realities of limited time, and the necessity of often needing to travel long distances to photograph activities out-of-doors in harsh contrasty light.
On Day Two, we travelled together to the field where the entire class photographed the work of PCI India in the state of Uttar Pradesh. On this day, we photographed three different types of program interventions.
I am very excited to share some of the wonderful images created by the group. These images are among the work participants gifted to PCI India for use in their marketing and awareness campaigns.
Field Location One: Photographing Nutrition Education for Adolescent Girls
“Curious Girls Learning” Photograph by Shubham Verma, Utar Pradesh 2025.
Our first venue was a school program for adolescent girls that focuses on educating on the importance of regular meals and proper nutrition. Following presentations, the girls participated in a quiz competition to test their knowledge and were awarded prizes (and lots of photos).
Bridging the education gap with technology: In this rural government school. girls learn about the importance of health and nutrition and move step towards a healthier and brighter future. A photograph by Anju Nain, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2025.
To address the problem, intervention in girls education is a major focus as the prevalence of anemia is much higher in girls than in boys. To make matters worse, it is typical for young girls to eat only tea and biscuits for breakfast. Sometimes they may even skip that as well as lunch at school on the same day. While they may feel hungry, many girls do not assign much significance to it.
Without awareness of the impact of these choices, their diets continue to be inadequate, compounding significant deficiencies and impacting their health and development. Ensuring these girls consume a more balanced diet can make a significant impact on the high rates of anaemia in this region.
“Education in Motion” Words take shape on the page, while dreams and ideas come to life in whispered discussions. Photograph by Alexander Seraphim, Uttar Pradesh, India 2025.
Field Location Two: Photographing Community Education of Expectant and Recent Mothers and their Families
“Aspirations Abound” Photograph by Vineha Tatkar, Uttar Pradesh, India 2025.
PCI India deploys dedicated field teams to conduct outreach in Uttar Pradesh and work with communities to educate expectant and new mothers about the importance of balanced nutrition. These teams visit homes and utilize culturally relevant approaches to convey information about nutritious diets that are vital for both maternal health and child development.
Through workshops, home visits, and group discussions, PCI provides essential resources and practical guidance, helping mothers understand how to incorporate various food groups into their meals.
This effort not only raises awareness but also empowers women to make informed dietary choices that contribute to healthier futures for themselves and their children. Our group witnessed and photographed several of these home visits.
“Empowering mother, nurturing future” Photograph by Srishti Raj, Uttar Pradesh, India 2025.
“Counseling to Lactating Mother on the Importance of Supplementary Foods. Exclusive breastfeeding and Immunization.” Photograph by Aakash Singh, Uttar Pradesh, India 2025.
Field Location Three: Photographing Gogh Bharai (Baby Shower), and Intervention to Enhance Nutrition
At the second venue, we photographed an event referred to as "Godh Bharai," which is a baby shower and literally translates to "filling the lap". The more traditional aspects of this ceremony welcome the unborn baby and bless the mother-to-be.
This village social event provides celebration for the expectant mothers and their babies but is also an opportunity for nutritional education for the expectant mothers, their mothers and mothers-in-law. In addition to sharing gifts and nutritious foods, it is an opportunity for talks and sharing of educational materials.
The event we witnessed was filled not only with talks and presentations but also with musical performances and dancing which thoroughly engaged everyone. Our group enjoyed the opportunity to observe and interact at this celebratory event that engages women across generations.
Godh Bharai ceremony engages multiple generations providing fun and education for all. A photograph by Ronnie Francis, Uttar Pradesh, India 2025.
Expectant mothers at Gogh Barai. This celebration delivers blessings and an opportunity to educate on nutrition and maternal care. A photograph by Aakash Singh, Uttar Pradesh, India 2025.
Tradition and Joy: An Elder's Touch at the Baby Shower”. A photograph by Brijesh K G Rao, Uttar Prasesh, India 2025.
On the third and final day, we returned to the PCI India facility in New Delhi where we shared our favorite images we had captured the day before and then engaged in discussions of the experience and shared feedback. The participants made a wide range of wonderful images and I am proud to share some of those in this blog here.
As we wrapped up the three days we had all become friends and it was sad to say goodbye. These promising young photographers took away some practical tips for future image-making. For my part, I left with great appreciation of the participants’ unique experiences and points of view.
We all had a great time in the field. It is my hope that the workshop may stimulate a community of humanitarian photographers in India.
Mastering Humanitarian & Visual Storytelling Photography for Non-Profits
Over the years, I have worked extensively in the field of humanitarian and visual storytelling photography. I have documented global health initiatives, climate resilience, and community-driven projects for non-profits and other humanitarian causes.
This photography workshop – entitled ‘Humanitarian Photography & Visual Storytelling: Field Immersion in India’ - was an extension of my commitment to mentoring fellow photographers who want to create meaningful, socially impactful work.
Why Visual Storytelling Matters in Humanitarian Photography
I believe that now, more than ever, humanitarian organizations need powerful, compelling photography to drive awareness and inspire action. The right imagery can shape public perception, influence policy, and bring attention to critical social issues.
This workshop was tailored for aspiring humanitarian photographers who wanted to:
Develop visual storytelling photography skills that create meaningful impact.
Work ethically in humanitarian settings, ensuring cultural sensitivity and accurate representation.
Engage with a leading non-profit organization and contribute to real-world communication efforts.
“Between Blessings and Burdens: A Mother”. A photograph by Mitasha Vohra, Uttar Pradesh, India 2025.
Join Future Humanitarian Photography Workshops
Although this workshop in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh is now over, I will be leading more international humanitarian photography workshops like this in the future.
If you would like to gain hands-on experience in visual storytelling photography, work alongside humanitarian experts on meaningful photography projects, and expand your portfolio with real-world nonprofit photography assignments, get in touch here or email me at steven@stevenwadeadams.com.
Portait of Adolescent Girl. Uttar Pradesh, India. ©Steven Wade Adams 2025
I anticipate that my future workshops will contain:
Best practices in ethical humanitarian photography and responsible storytelling.
Problem solving for specific challenges to capturing compelling images for development work in real life situations.
Direct engagement with leaders of development sector initiatives, gaining insight into their goals for impact on local communities while aligning on objectives for our storytelling.
How to align storytelling images that contribute to organizational outreach and advocacy efforts in the development sector.
Experiential time in the field, photographing development projects and capturing compelling images that highlight humanitarian efforts.
Mentorship and hands-on coaching in ethical storytelling techniques from myself, Steven Wade Adams, whose extensive expertise and experience in the field will provide invaluable guidance and support throughout your journey.
Portfolio reviews through 1:1 feedback and discussion groups.
Please connect with me if you would like more information on future workshops.Steven Wade Adams
Humanitarian & Visual Storytelling Photographer