What is Visual Anthropology?
by Stephanie Hastings – Visual Anthropologist & Cultural Photographer
From the earliest cave paintings to today’s documentary photography, humans have always used images to tell stories about who we are, what we value, and how we live. Anthropology, the study of humanity and culture, has long relied on words and data but, sometimes, pictures speak the truths that words can’t.
That’s where Visual Anthropology comes in.
Understanding Visual Anthropology
Visual Anthropology is a style of anthropology that studies culture through visual means such as with photography, film, video, and other forms of media. It’s both a method and a message: a way of seeing, recording, and interpreting human experience.
Unlike traditional anthropology, which may focus on written ethnographies or data-driven studies, visual anthropologists use images to immerse the audience in lived reality. To show rather than just tell.
The Evolution of the Field
Visual Anthropology began in the early 20th century, when ethnographers first turned cameras toward the communities they studied. Early works documented rituals, craftsmanship, and daily life, often with an outsider’s gaze.
Today, however, Visual Anthropology is far more collaborative and reflexive. It emphasizes respect, context, and co-creation, allowing cultures to represent themselves through shared storytelling.
Visual Anthropologists to Know
These figures helped define the field, each using the camera not just as a recording device, but as a lens for understanding humanity.
Vivian Maier: The Unseen Anthropologist
A personal favorite of mine is Vivian Maier. Vivian Maier is often labeled a “street photographer,” but I see her as a visual anthropologist of modern life. Her candid portraits of everyday people reveal unspoken truths about mid-century America: class, loneliness, curiosity, and beauty in the ordinary.
Maier’s work, discovered only after her death, reflects a deep anthropological instinct: to observe without judgment, to honor the nuances of human existence.
My Own Lens on Visual Anthropology
As both a photographer and anthropologist, my work often explores the intersections of culture, environment, and emotion. Through my lens, I aim to capture not just faces, but stories… the ways people create meaning, connection, and belonging.
Examples from my work:
Why It Matters
In an age of constant visual noise, intentional observation is an act of care. Visual Anthropology helps us slow down, see clearly, and remember that every image is a window into culture.
Stay tuned for my next post, “Why Visual Anthropology Matters in a Changing World,” where I’ll explore how images shape our collective understanding and why this discipline is more relevant than ever.