Photo elicitation is a qualitative research method in which researchers either generate or ask participants to provide photos to guide discussions during interviews. While the use of photo elicitation in geography is not new, the strengths and complexities of this method in exploring migrants' spatial navigation of the city are not particularly well understood. In this poster, I reflect on 24 Photovoice exercises conducted with Hmong migrants in Kunming, Yunnan Province, during the summer of 2024, to illustrate both the promises and pitfalls of this visual method. I argue that photo elicitation provides deeper insights into the spatial and temporal patterns underlying Hmong migrants’ use of public space than traditional oral-based semi-structured interviews. Additionally, photo elicitation visually highlights Hmong migrants’ efforts toward empowerment, making these attempts more accessible to a broad audience. I also demonstrate the practical and ethical challenges associated with visual research methods, including the high commitment required, the risk of decontextualization, and the importance of ensuring informed consent and ethical representation.