First published 1997
Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot examines portraiture as a distinctive approach to social science research. She traces its origins and defines its core purposes, showing how careful observation can capture human experience in ways traditional methodologies miss. Lawrence-Lightfoot positions portraiture within the broader landscape of qualitative inquiry, demonstrating how this method bridges art and science. The book reveals how researchers can use portraiture to create rich, nuanced accounts of social phenomena. Writers and researchers will find concrete guidance for developing observational skills and crafting compelling narratives from fieldwork. The work offers both theoretical framework and practical tools for anyone seeking to understand and document human complexity through systematic yet creative investigation.
Genres: art, research, social-science, non-fiction, biography-memoir, art-history, qualitative-research, academic
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: creative-documentation, systematic-investigation
320 pages · Hardcover · Jossey-Bass