Positive Lives uses the medium of photography to serve as a catalyst for - and to work in conjunction with - training workshops, outreach initiatives, health and education programmes, and communication activities. The organisation works with local HIV groups and international aid agencies to incorporate the photographic essays into a number of formats, including large-scale exhibitions, travelling sets, small laminate and poster displays, websites, videos, books, and other publications. For a list of the photographic exhibits sponsored by the project, click here (click on "The Project" and then "Exhibitions").

The Internet is used as a tool for sharing these photographs, and extending their reach. An online collection that represents a small portion of the work thus far is also available (click on "Stories" at the link provided above). By selecting various regions on an interactive map of the world, users of this site can entre into different photographic exhibits documenting the lived experience of this condition. For instance, in South Africa, visitors can read a bit of background about the work and the residents of Nazareth House, which is a children's home in Cape Town taking care of abandoned children with HIV or AIDS. They can then view the images. In Edinburgh, visitors get a glimpse of the lives of young drug abusers at the Muirhouse Estate who are also living with either HIV or AIDS. In the words of photographer John Sturrock, "In Muirhouse I witnessed the emotional struggle of people enduring a tragedy..." However, organisers point out that hope is present in these photographic essays as well, as they represent a broad range of emotions.

HIV/AIDS.