The Putting People in the Picture invitational symposium was held at the Killie Campbell Africana Library in Durban on 16-17 Febrary, 2006. The symposium focused on methodological issues associated with using photography and video documentary in social research. Presentations centred upon: photovoice, ethical and other challenges of working with visual data, artful engagement, and interpretive frameworks for working with visual data. Presenters included researchers and practitioners of visual methodologies from academic institutions across South Africa, Canada, and the United States.

The symposium opened on Thursday, 16 February with a screening of the documentary My photos, My Video, My Story, produced at the CVM in 2005, and a performance by the Sekwanele Youth Organization. The symposium continued on Friday, 17 February with panel discussions and presentations on topics ranging from fighting HIV/AIDS stigma in schools, to ethical issues in using photovoice with online communities, to the interpretation of visual texts.