Exploring the context of use for informatics tools and applications can provide insight into requirements for their design. Historically, photographs have been used by social scientists as a way to study context in complex environments. Using data collected in the study “Advanced technologies for Health@Home” we share how photographs can be used to understand one such complex environment where informatics tools appear, the household.

By capture, categorization, analysis and interpretation of photographs, we developed a richer understanding of information artifacts and the context of these artifacts used to support health information management in the household (HIMH).

Photographs are an underused data source. Appropriately used, photographs can aid in the development of informatics resources that align with and extend current practices of health information management in the household (HIMH). Their use should be investigated further concerning other complex environments within nursing informatics.