From the 32 articles reviewed, five main themes emerged, which are detailed below:  

• Photovoice projects have the potential to teach many new skills to participants. In addition to photographs, some studies used other methods to add to the data, while others brought in guest speakers during the photovoice sessions. In one study, participants were learning about factors contributing to asthma, so the facilitators brought in medical professionals to teach them more about the topic (Gupta et al., 2013). In another study, participants wanted to improve their local neighborhood park. To assist with this, facilitators brought in an architect to help plan out a design for the park (Burke et al., 2017). Some projects taught lessons during the meetings and then had participants take photographs based on the lesson. For example, one group studied factors that contribute to climate change; in the lessons, they were given photo-assignments based on what they learned (Trott, 2019). While photovoice is used primarily to create change in the wider community, projects can also teach skills such as public speaking and data analysis (Aldana et al., 2021; Lofton et al., 2020). 

• The relationship between the facilitators and participants is essential to a successful project​. In many studies, the complex topics can make it difficult for youth to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Creating trust at the beginning of photovoice projects is essential for successful results. In one study, the purpose was to understand how high schoolers experienced discrimination within their school setting. Since this was a difficult topic for individuals to discuss, facilitators had to be intentional and transparent with the participants (Smith & Hope, 2020). In another study, the facilitators held sessions weekly for a full school year, leaving time for the group to gain trust and confidence during the project (Aldana et al., 2021).   

• Allow the youth freedom to think outside the box, which can encourage unique dissemination products​. In one project that sought to understand the factors that lead to low socio-economic status, the youth felt that a “normal” photo exhibit was too boring, so they created a table display that was placed in several locations (Sarti et al., 2018). In a different project, participants spent a year investigating segregation within their community by doing “photo tours” down a single road that went through the whole city. For their exhibit they displayed their photos as if the viewers were riding down the road with them. In addition, the group had the opportunity to present at the Michigan Children’s Conference, and travel to Washington D.C. to speak with state senators and congressional representatives. As the group prepared for this, they practiced various types of presentations and learned how to articulate their thoughts in a professional manner. During their presentations, they discussed their ideas for school funding and transportation (Aldana et al., 2021). In other cases, areas for community improvement were identified, which helped form community gardens and educational classes (Trott, 2019).  

• It is especially important to make sure the photovoice sessions are meaningful and that the time spent is valuable for the youth. Regardless of the length of the photovoice project, the facilitator has the ability to fully involve participants in each part of the process. In one 8-session project, the youth learned how to take the data they collected and create codes and themes, using a pile sorting-activity with their photographs (Lofton et al., 2020). When explaining their process, Lofton et al. wrote out a description of every session and showed the intentionality they took with the time they had been given.  

• Facilitators should start a project with few assumptions about how it should end. While planning, it is important for project facilitators to be flexible and allow room to adjust. Youth have great ideas, and facilitators should remember this throughout a project. Shea et al. put it best by saying, “In many projects the process is far more important than the outcome. Processes are expected to be respectful, to enable people, to heal and to educate”​ (Shea et al., 2013)​. The participants need to know they have the ability to guide the project, and once they know this, their imaginations can take it further than originally thought.