Photography in museums: visitors’ attitudes, behaviors & motivations

Abstract

This presentation presents the results of a research project conducted at the Smithsonian Institute in 2014 that examined visitor’s motivations for using (and not using) photography. The research results argue that the majority of visitors use photography as a tool that can enhance certain aspects of their museum experience, promote further education, extend and expand the museum experience beyond the museums’ walls, and provide entry points to exhibitions. Even though a small number of visitors reported that photography interferes with their aesthetic experience, most feel that the future benefits of photography compensate for this interference.