SURVEY - THE ROLE AND VALUE OF FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY IN VIETNAMESE CULTURE
Overview
Purpose
The primary purpose of this survey is to explore the significance and evolving role of family photography within Vietnamese culture, particularly among young people (Gen Z). It aims to understand how family photographs serve as tools for preserving memories, strengthening emotional connections, and reflecting cultural values. The survey also examines the impact of the digital age on family photo archiving practices, shedding light on how modern technology influences the value and preservation of family images.
Target Group
Young people, primarily from Generation Z (18-35 years old), living in urban areas of Vietnam. The target audience is familiar with digital technology, social media platforms, and smartphones, though they may have limited knowledge of traditional photography methods and archiving.
Goals
Understanding the cultural importance of family photography in Vietnam
Investigating the impact of digitalization on family photo archiving
Finding insights on the habits, emotions, and preferences of young people regarding family photography
Raising awareness about the importance of preserving family photos across generations
Exploring the evolving role of family photography in modern society
Questions
Family occasions and their role in family life
Does your family often take photos during holidays, Tết, or significant events? Is this part of your family tradition? (Yes/No)
Are there any occasions in your family where taking photos becomes an important part of the ritual or tradition? (Checkboxes)
In your opinion, what role does photography play in strengthening family bonds? (Checkboxes)
Do you often look back at old family photos with your family? (Multiple choice)
Please share your feelings when looking back at your family photos! (Short answer)
Opinions on preserving family photos in physical vs. digital form
Do you think that preserving family photos in physical form (albums, photo frames) is more important than digital photos? (Multiple choice)
Where do you usually store your family images? (Multiple choice)
Do you think younger generations in your family (children, grandchildren) should be educated about the value and importance of family photography? (Yes/No)
Do you think preserving family images today will be meaningful and important for the development of future generations? (Linear scale)
What are your thoughts on the resurgence of travel cameras (Film Point and Shoot, Digicam, Fujifilm X100 Series, Leica Q Series, etc.) in today’s digital age, when everyone owns a smartphone? (Short answer)
Changes in how family photos are perceived and preserved across generations
In your opinion, how has family photography changed in Vietnam from the past to the present, based on advances in technology and tools like smartphones, hard drives, and digital storage platforms? (Short answer)
Do you think family photos are important for preserving family history and memories? (Linear scale answer)
Do you think that, in today’s era of technology and advanced techniques, young people are forgetting the importance of preserving (archiving) family images? (Yes/No)
Do you think the younger generation shares the same views on the meaning of photos and the ways of storing them in the family as the previous generations? (Linear scale)
If all the images on your hard drive were lost, how would you feel? (Short answer)
Result
I carefully controlled the number of participants in this survey by manually and privately sending the survey link to each individual. This ensured quality, targeted the project's specific audience, and achieved a reasonable number of responses.
Since I pre-screened participants, I included more long and short answer questions to ensure fairness and detail, instead of relying solely on multiple-choice or yes/no questions, which often carry biases from the survey creator.
Age
94% (48 participants) were aged 19–26, falling within Gen Z—the primary target audience of my project.
6% (3 participants) were over 27, part of Gen Y—I aimed to include their perspectives and insights for a broader generational view.
80.4% of participants came from families with the habit of archiving photos as part of their traditions.
The Significance of Family Photos Based on Survey Responses:
Preserving Memories and Legacy
Capture childhood moments, personal growth, and life milestones.
Document family gatherings and special occasions (e.g., holidays, birthdays, reunions).
Preserve memories of loved ones who have passed, including their portraits and belongings.
Serve as cherished heirlooms connecting generations.
Emotional and Sentimental Value
Evoke feelings of nostalgia, joy, and unexpected emotions when revisiting old albums.
Offer comfort and connection for those living away from home or abroad.
Reflect warmth, love, and harmony in multi-generational family interactions.
Historical and Cultural Importance
Highlight ordinary life moments and spontaneous activities.
Showcase rare, valuable photos from the early 2000s, especially film or digital archives.
Represent a family's unique history and serve as a "support system" for personal reflection.
The majority of participants recognized the importance of family photos in preserving family history and traditions, with 96.1% considering them important to very important.
The role of photography in connecting family members:
76.5% of participants believe photography helps family members recall beautiful memories and feel closer to one another.
82.4% of participants think photography creates opportunities for families to preserve memorable moments together.
76.5% of participants feel photography helps maintain connections between generations through archived images.
68.6% of participants consider photography a medium for sharing emotions and family stories.
100% of survey participants have revisited their childhood photos; however, only 21.6% make it a habit to do so regularly.
Emotions of Participants When Revisiting Family Photos:
Positive and Warm Feelings:
Joyful
Nostalgic
Appreciative
Warm and content
Reflective and Emotional:
Moved
Regretful for missed opportunities
Reminded of how quickly time passes, with memories often reduced to a photo
Longing to relive past moments
Family Bonding and Connection:
A chance for family gatherings to reminisce and share stories
A sense of togetherness
Inspirational and Motivational:
Motivated to strive harder
Gratified for having carefully prepared family photo sessions and achieving a meaningful outcome
Curiosity and Sweetness
Curious
Finding the moments adorable
96.1% of participants agreed that preserving family photos in both digital and physical formats is important. However, 27.5% of them considered physical storage to be more important.
78.8% of participants have a tradition of taking family photos during holidays and special occasions.
The change in family photography archiving in the digital age.
Changes in Family Photography in the Digital Age
Social media storage equals physical photos.
Convenient and diverse storage methods across generations.
Younger people prefer fun, humorous images.
Higher expectations for family photographers.
More photos, less value.
Clients becoming more demanding with easy photo-taking.
Photography Formats: Then vs. Now
Film (Past): Printed photos, prone to loss, costly, but captured beauty and time.
Digital (Present): Easy to take, edit, and print; less emotional value.
Storage Methods
Store on phones, hard drives instead of albums.
Reliance on digital and cloud storage.
Cultural Values and Technology
Value and preserve moments through photography.
Emotional connection via images.
Convenience of technology reduces emotional value.
Impact on Family Bonds
Shift to individual photos, disconnect from family focus.
Modern trends focus on personal identity, weakening family ties.
Importance of Writing Captions
Past photos had emotional captions.
Writing captions brings back meaningful connections.
63% of participants store images using both physical and digital methods, while 26% store images entirely through digital means such as cloud storage, social media, external hard drives, memory cards, etc.
67.3% of participants believe that in today's digital age, young people are gradually forgetting the importance of family photography archiving.
All participants agree that preserving family images plays an important role in the development of future generations, with 50% of participants considering it very important.
The emotions of participants when losing photos on hard drives or digital storage platforms.
Sadness, regret, and disappointment
Did the best they could to preserve it, but anger and despair from losing valuable memories
Not worried due to a backup, but still losing a part of life and the essence of those moments
Regret for not preserving them more carefully, leading to the loss of things that shape who we are
The trend of using compact and travel cameras as a replacement for smartphones today.
Trends in Photography Equipment
Trend of using compact, travel cameras instead of smartphones.
A necessary step alongside phones to help users better understand photography.
Rising interest in photography, leading to more photos being taken and stored.
Aesthetic appeal of cameras.
Y2K and retro trends making a comeback.
Sustainability and Appreciation for Photography History
Focus on sustainability and learning about past photography technology.
Investment in photography to enhance life moments.
User Experience and Emotional Connection
Different experience with a real camera versus a smartphone, making moments feel more valuable.
Affordable solution for those wanting better photo quality but can't afford expensive gear.
Reconnecting with old technology, strengthening bonds with past generations.
Camera as a Balance Between Simplicity and Professional Gear
A simple camera, easy to use, bridging the gap between smartphones and professional cameras.
Beautiful, nostalgic photos without complex editing.
Artistic value and traditional photography.
Deeper, more focused images compared to multi-purpose devices.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Prevalence of Family Photography in Gen Z
The survey revealed a strong prevalence of family photography among Gen Z participants, with 94% of respondents aged 19–26, the core demographic of the study. Notably, 80.4% come from families with a tradition of archiving photographs, underlining the enduring significance of family photography in Vietnamese culture. This tradition reflects how family photographs continue to play a vital role in preserving and honoring shared memories across generations.
Emotional and Sentimental Value of Family Photos
Family photos hold deep emotional significance for the majority of respondents, as 96.1% emphasized their importance in preserving memories of loved ones and key family milestones. These photographs are associated with feelings of joy, nostalgia, and longing, especially when revisited. This emotional connection highlights how family photographs transcend their visual appeal, becoming vessels of sentiment and shared history.
Photography's Role in Connecting Generations
Photography was found to be a bridge connecting generations, as 76.5% of respondents believe it helps maintain relationships within families. Whether in digital or physical form, photographs serve as tools for fostering bonds and reflecting shared experiences. Although most participants value both digital and tangible formats, 27.5% prefer physical photo storage, citing its tactile link to family heritage. This preference showcases the lasting impact of traditional forms of archiving even as technology evolves.
Changes in Family Photography in the Digital Age
The rise of digital technology has ushered in significant changes in family photography practices. About 67.3% of participants expressed concerns that younger generations are gradually neglecting the tradition of archiving family photographs, favoring digital platforms over physical albums. This shift indicates a generational divide, with older traditions of tangible albums being replaced by cloud storage and digital-first approaches. Despite these shifts, the importance of preserving family photographs remains evident.
Loss of Family Photos and the Emotional Impact
The survey also shed light on the emotional toll of losing family photos stored digitally. Participants expressed sadness, regret, and frustration when reflecting on the potential loss of these precious memories. This response emphasizes the irreplaceable nature of family photographs, highlighting their role as anchors of emotional and familial connection.
Photography Equipment Trends
Interestingly, there is a growing trend among young people favoring compact and travel cameras over smartphones for capturing memories. This shift is driven by nostalgia, the appeal of the Y2K aesthetic, and the desire for higher-quality photos without relying on professional equipment. This renewed interest in retro-style photography equipment reflects a broader desire to reconnect with the tangible and sentimental aspects of photography, resonating with the cultural appreciation of family photo archives.
Conclusion
Overall, the survey underscores the enduring value of family photography in Vietnamese culture, despite the changes brought by the digital age. Family photographs remain powerful tools for emotional connection, generational bonding, and cultural preservation. As technology continues to shape the way we archive memories, the importance of family photographs as treasured artifacts of shared history remains steadfast.
Evaluation
For me, this study plays a crucial role in gaining general insights into the significance of preserving and archiving family photography among young people, especially Gen Z. This understanding paves the way for deeper exploration in my research and opens up new perspectives and ideas for the execution of the final output.
SECONDARY PROJECT
Creative Approach
Old Approach
My initial approach was to create a photo series with a “pre-wedding” concept, as my parents didn’t have the chance to take pre-wedding photos in the past. However, this approach felt a bit too conceptual, and my parents weren’t entirely comfortable or confident with it.
Current Approach
I proposed a simpler creative approach that focuses more on the story and emotions between the two main characters — my parents. This approach emphasizes portrait and candid photography, capturing the authenticity of their love story through intimate and heartfelt gestures. It seeks to preserve the small details, such as their glances and subtle movements, without over-staging. The goal is to convey warmth, nostalgia, and the essence of family connection.
Inspiration
John Lennon and Yoko Ono (1980)
Oli Green and Sienna Miller, Long Island, NY 2023
Nick Jonas with Priyanka Chopra, Holmdel, NJ, 2018 / In Celebration of the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards
My Parents’s Affection
My Parents at their engagement ceremony
Movies
A Moment of Romance - Benny Chan (1990)
Fallen Angel - Wong Kar Wai (1995)
Documentary Style Family Photography
Looking for Bali - Michael Morgan
Visual Language
Mood & Tone
The photo series carries a gentle, warm, and intimate mood, featuring warm tones and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of vintage film photographs.
Natural, Nostalgic, Intimate
Set Design & Concept
In the early 21st century, wedding photography services in Vietnam were primarily carried out at bridal studios, with occasional shoots taking place in parks. I decided to combine these two concepts by setting up a plain backdrop outdoors in a park.
Lighting
Natural Lighting, filled with Reflector or Strobes, using Large diffused umbrella
Texture
I aim to create a photo series that feels natural and warm, embracing a documentary style. It will be an emotional journey captured through imagery, with the final output deeply reflecting pure family love and connection.