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Narrative Photography (Ideas, Examples and Techniques)

Dive into narrative photography: a visual storytelling art. Explore inspiring ideas, striking examples, and master techniques to convey compelling tales.

Learn | By India Mantle

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This guide will help you to understand what narrative in photography is, and how it’s created, and give you some tips on how to use it yourself.

We’ll also have a look at some of the most famous photographers using narrative to give you a good visual foundation to start from.

Narrative is a useful tool to learn regardless of the kind of photography you’re interested in or pursuing as a career.

Any photographer can use narrative. Food photographers, wedding photographers, photojournalists, travel photographers, and commercial photographers; all use narrative to create powerful series that tell a story.

Without further ado, let’s get stuck in.

Table of Contents

What is Narrative Photography?

Credit: S. Thevaler

Narrative photography is the act of using a camera to narrate a story and the idea that photography is a good medium for storytelling.

As with all other forms of narration, the person doing it must have a good understanding of context, and what it is they want to portray.

Narrative photography uses a series of thematically linked images to narrate a sequence of events.

Not every event, not every moment is needed to tell the story, that is up to the photographer to decide.

The photographer must choose what to include and what to exclude, and in which order to construct the narrative.

And that narrative doesn’t have to be true. Although photojournalism uses narrative to tell real stories about our world, you can also use photographs to tell fictional stories.

• 25 unmissable pictures that tell a story

Why is narrative important in photography?

Credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel

Sometimes, the visual impact or beauty of a photograph is enough to give it meaning to the viewer. Sometimes the technique the photographer uses is enough to give us pause.

There are many pieces of fine art without a story or narrative to them that can stand alone.

But, many images that have nothing behind them except the desire to be beautiful, or shocking, are ultimately bland. And this is where narrative comes in.

Even single images can have a sense of story to them. The cliché, a picture is worth a thousand words, only holds if there was a reason for the photographer to take the picture and the viewer can feel it.

A sequence of images combined to tell a story can be very powerful, both visually and emotionally.

Looking at a photograph or photographs can automatically create a sense of distance and separation between the photograph and the viewer.

There is the photograph, which is being observed, and the person looking at it, who is doing the observing. There is a gap there, and the less the viewer knows of the context and content of the photograph, the wider the gap is.

A narrative helps to bridge this gap between the image and the viewer. And this is important because it connects the photographs to their audience, the photographer to the viewer, and the viewer to the story told by the narrative.

It is the same connection the reader has with the writer of the book they are reading.

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So, the most important thing narrative should do, beyond creating a connection, is to inspire the viewer’s imagination.

Whether the viewer is seeing a single image or a series, they should want to know more, they should want to seek out more of the story.

What is the difference between narrative and story in photography?

Credit: NEOM

The terms ‘narrative’ and ‘story’ are often used interchangeably, but they are quite different.

The story is the events themselves, the things that happen that have a beginning, middle and an end.

The narrative is the way in which the story is told, the sequence of events, and the structure of the story.

The narrative holds the story together, but the story is the content of the narrative.

If that’s confusing, perhaps the easiest way to remember the difference is to think of it this way:

If you reshuffle the order of events, you have a new narrative of the same story.

6 Examples of Narrative Photography

Credit: Bob Brewer

Credit: Alex Shuper

Credit: David Emrich

Credit: Taro Ohtani

Credit: Amir Geshani

Credit: Ruslan Lissitsa

How Do You Do Narrative Photography? 16 Tips

Here are some tips for telling visual stories using photo essays , a single image or across multiple images.

1. Be original

Credit: Oscar Keys

More than ever, our world and our eyes are drowning in images.

They’re on news sites, advertisements, blogs, and your Facebook feed. It’s a deluge.

And even when the aesthetic quality, or technical ability that has gone into taking the photograph is high, it’s often repetitive.

Plagiarism and unoriginality are rife. Just think of how many millions of unique people who have visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa and come away with exactly the same photograph.

If you want to tell a story with your photographs you need to stand out.

No pressure!

Ideally, you need to try to come up with an idea that no one has seen before, but you could also find a completely new way of telling an old story.

The important thing is that it has to be new. There has to be a reason for people to want to engage with it.

The good news is that just because you’re alive, you’re already halfway there.

You are an original, and only you have the ideas that you have.

So have a think about what those ideas are, and try them out.

2. Do your research

Ask yourself, why are you doing this? And why does this story need to be told?

The answer doesn’t have to be that you want to change the world, or that you want this story to say something profound, it can be as simple as that this story interests you in some way.

You have to have a reason to shoot it. If you don’t, you’ll lose motivation or do it half-heartedly. If you’re not interested in the story and have no emotional connection to the content, that will be translated into the image or images, and they will suffer for it.

But, assuming you know why you want to shoot a particular narrative, you then need to research and plan the shoot.

If there’s a history to your topic, you should be reading about it, if you’ll be shooting in a foreign culture, you’ll need to learn about the customs, and probably some of the language.

If there’s a particular fashion that needs to be followed or a set environment it needs to be shot in, you need to know all about it.

Even if your story will be shot in a more spontaneous, candid style, at a sporting event, or religious festival, for example, you still need to plan.

You need to take care of all the logistics, timetables, travel and accommodation arrangements, and know the weather forecast.

During your research, you can find other photographers who have shot the same event and ask them for tips. They might let you know about things, for example, you’re not allowed to shoot, or protective clothing you might need.

Whatever you’re shooting, you need to prepare meticulously, in a way that is relevant to your subject, and well in advance.

Although planning and researching can sound like rigidity to an artist, when you have a plan in place, it frees you up for the next point.

3. Be spontaneous

Credit: Elnaz Asadi

Whether your narrative is being shot through a more candid form of photography, such as street photography, or taking place in a highly stylised and controlled environment like a studio, you need to be spontaneous (or at least be open to it).

You can’t control everything. You can plan, you can set your camera settings, you can tell models what to do, and you can get yourself in the right positions, but you must always be alive to the moment.

Trust your instinct, listen to your gut.

If you are storytelling in a fast-paced environment, or a war zone, you need to think fast and adapt quickly to changing conditions.

But even if your shoot is a slower-paced and in a more controlled environment, things may happen that you have no control over, but those might be the things that bring your images to life.

Something might happen to change the direction of your narrative or give it a layer you hadn’t thought of.

If you are closed to these chance happenings, you might miss the story completely. So, have a plan, and do your research, but remember that plans can change, things happen. That, after all, is the nature of stories.

4. Consider your settings and equipment

The camera settings you use will have a great impact on the effectiveness of your narrative.

Think about your depth of field . What do you want to be in focus? What would you like to be out of focus?

As for your shutter speed , how will you use that? Do you want to freeze the action, or use motion blur to infer movement? Blur can also be used, of course, to express other things like, for example, confusion.

Think about how your use of these settings will help you tell the story.

The time of day you choose to shoot in (if your story takes place outside) will also have a great impact.

Naturally, if you are shooting in a studio, the temperature and brightness of the lighting you use will play the same role.

Think about which camera you’ll use, whether you’ll shoot digital or film. And the lens – the focal length is very important.

Telephoto lenses will bring you up close to your subject, whereas wide-angle lenses will allow you to show more of the background or scene – so you need to make sure this is relevant.

Will you overexpose your images? Should you underexpose them?

These are all things you need to think about before you take your photographs, and also when you are taking them.

5. Look for symbolism

Credit: Mike Cox

This is somewhat related to the third point, spontaneity.

When you are open to what is happening while you are taking photographs, you may start to see symbolic elements you can use in your photographs. Your mind may start to create links.

But this is also true in a more planned sense. When you are planning a shoot, you might want to think of more abstract or symbolic ways in which you can express your story or parts of it.

Literal interpretations can often (although not always) be a little boring.

Think about approaching the narrative from the side, rather than head-on to unearth symbolism in photography.

6. Limit visual distractions

This doesn’t mean that your photographs cannot or should not contain a lot of information, or many focal points (as long as there’s balance).

It just means that you need to eliminate everything from a photograph that’s not relevant to what you want it to express. The image needs to be concise.

If there’s a fish in your image and it doesn’t need to be there, take it out.

7. Pay attention to composition

Credit: Joe Yong

This is a basic rule that applies to narrative photography as much as it does to any other type of photography.

You need to consider leading lines , hidden geometry, the rule of thirds, or the use of negative space.

It can be easy when focusing on narrative elements to forget that in order for anyone to look at your story, you must first present them with a balanced image that draws them in.

That’s composition. Your decisions about which compositional rules to adhere to and which to break will be the viewer’s visual introduction to your work, and therefore the element that will decide if they look further and get to be told a story.

8. Convey emotion

Find ways to introduce emotion into the narrative.

There are many ways in which to do this, and these ways will depend greatly on your subject.

Some examples, though, would be in your choice of lighting, colours, exposure settings, or as simple and stark a choice as whether you choose to photograph someone from the front or back.

Finding a way to express conflicting emotions creates tension.

Most importantly, you, the photographer needs to feel emotionally connected to what you’re photographing. Without that, you won’t be able to convey any emotion at all.

9. Use captions

Credit: Mishal Ibrahim

Not all images need captions, but text is a great way to add information or context to a story.

It doesn’t need to be factual, either.

I’ve seen abstract text paired with images and poetry. The main thing is that the text, if you use it, is relevant to and enhances the image or images, without telling the whole story.

10. Shoot a series, shoot a single

Don’t tie yourself to the number of photos you need to produce.

Sometimes, you’ll intend to create a photo series , but everything you need to say can be said in a single photograph.

Other times, you’ll work on a photograph and realise you need to expand on that idea and create a series.

The narrative will tell you what you need to do.

11. Use colours

Credit: Polina Shirokova

Colours are an extremely important narrative device.

Blue can be associated with sadness, red with passion or anger, green with envy or the natural world.

Think carefully about how your use of colour impacts your storytelling in photography .

12. Think about perspective

Perspective, too, is loaded with psychological weight.

Choosing where to shoot things will determine how viewers see them on a subconscious level.

For example, if you want to portray a person as confident in your narrative, don’t shoot them from above, as that will show them as vulnerable or weak. Instead, shoot them slightly from below, or if you want them to be overconfident or domineering, get down even lower.

13. Be inspired

Look at other photographers’ narrative photography work.

Study their images to learn about composition, use of colour, and how they put narratives together.

Also, it’s a good idea to join a photographer’s group, either online or in the flesh.

Talking to other photographers about your ideas and theirs is a great way to get ideas, feedback, and inspiration, and to let air into your work.

By that I mean, take it out of the bubble you put it in.

Often when we create things we do so in a closed room, so to speak, and letting other people see it, and allowing other perspectives on it, can often be the thing needed to drive it forward.

14. Don’t be afraid of failure

Many people are so scared of failure that they don’t do anything. They might have ideas, but they don’t act on them, just in case they don’t work out.

Failure is a natural part of progress, a natural part of narrative photography.

It’s possible your idea might not work. It might need to be changed, or discarded entirely.

But you can always learn from it, and that’s what will help you change your project for the better, or what will give you a better foundation from which to start something new.

Accepting that you might fail, or might already be failing, is actually pretty freeing. It releases tension and frees you from being overcritical about your work.

And if you can then relax into it and just be interested in the outcome of your own story, you’ll enjoy the process more, and your work will be better.

15. Be coherent

Credit: Kateryna Hliznitsova

This is possibly the most important tip in this narrative photography guide.

Coherence is where the narrative goes to live or die.

The more coherent your idea and execution are, the better chance you have of creating high-quality narrative photography.

For the narrative to work, all your ideas and aesthetic elements need to come together in a tight, complete package, with no fluff or extraneous matter.

That means the composition, use of colour and perspective, the settings you have chosen, and the motivating principle by which you chose the subject, must all clearly have an intention.

And, if all of those elements have been chosen and included with intention, and if everything irrelevant to the expression of the story has been eliminated, you should have something coherent.

Which means, something that is truly itself, and not something else.

16. Give yourself time

Be patient.

Sometimes it can take a long time for a series to come together.

Sometimes things need to be reshot.

Even if you are just trying to take a single photograph, it can take a lot of time for all the elements to come together.

It might need a lot of post-processing.

Sometimes you might get frustrated and need to step away.

But the world is not in a rush to see your narrative photography work, so you shouldn’t rush the process.

Take the time you need to make sure that when you’re finished creating the visual story , you’re happy with it, and wouldn’t want to change anything about it.

Who Is Famous for Narrative Photography?

• Gregory Crewsdon – Best known for staging dramatic scenes of American suburban neighbourhoods and homes
• Robert Capa – A Hungarian-American war photographer and photojournalist who is considered by some to be the greatest in his field
• Ansel Adams – A famous landscape photographer known for his black-and-white images of America
• Henri Cartier-Bresson – Often considered to be the father of modern photography and a master of capturing the decisive moment
• Robert Frank – A chronicler of America and the American way of life, who created iconic images about racial inequality
• Margaret Bourke-White – A documentary photographer who was the first woman to be given credentials to shoot World War II, and the first photographer to be allowed into the Soviet Union
• Dorothea Lange – An American photojournalist and documentary photographer. Her Depression-era photographs are her seminal work
• Walker Evans – Another American documentary photographer whose work humanized the effects of the Great Depression
• Diane Arbus – A photographer who specialized in disturbing, intimate, and disturbingly intimate portraits
• Steve McCurry – A versatile photographer who shoots travel, portraits, and in war zones. One of his photographs, Afghan Girl, is perhaps one of the most famous photos ever taken

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As the Content Manager of Shotkit, India Mantle brings with her a lifelong love for photography that she developed during her childhood, watching her father document their family moments with his Nikon EM. In her free time, you find her enjoying the awe-inspiring natural beauty of her home, Northern Rivers, Australia.

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23 Photo Essay Ideas and Examples (to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing!)

A Post By: Kevin Landwer-Johan

Looking for inspiration? Our 23 photo essay ideas will take your photography skills to new heights!

A single, strong photograph can convey a lot of information about its subject – but sometimes we have topics that require more than one image to do the job. That’s when it’s time to make a photo essay: a collection of pictures that together tell the bigger story around a chosen theme.

In the following sections, we’ll explore various photo essay ideas and examples that cover a wide range of subjects and purposes. From capturing the growth of your children to documenting local festivals, each idea offers an exciting opportunity to tell a story through your lens, whether you’re a hobbyist or a veteran professional.

So grab your camera, unleash your creativity, and let’s delve into the wonderful world of photo essay examples!

What is a photo essay?

Simply put, a photo essay is a series of carefully selected images woven together to tell a story or convey a message. Think of it as a visual narrative that designed to capture attention and spark emotions.

Now, these images can revolve around a broad theme or focus on a specific storyline. For instance, you might create a photo essay celebrating the joy of companionship by capturing 10 heartwarming pictures of people sharing genuine laughter. On the other hand, you could have a photo essay delving into the everyday lives of fishermen in Wales by following a single fisherman’s journey for a day or even a week.

It’s important to note that photo essays don’t necessarily have to stick to absolute truth. While some documentary photographers prefer to keep it authentic, others may employ techniques like manipulation or staging to create a more artistic impact. So there is room for creativity and interpretation.

Why you should create a photo essay

Photo essays have a way of expressing ideas and stories that words sometimes struggle to capture. They offer a visual narrative that can be incredibly powerful and impactful.

Firstly, photo essays are perfect when you have an idea or a point you want to convey, but you find yourself at a loss for words. Sometimes, emotions and concepts are better conveyed through images rather than paragraphs. So if you’re struggling to articulate a message, you can let your photos do the talking for you.

Second, if you’re interested in subjects that are highly visual, like the mesmerizing forms of architecture within a single city, photo essays are the way to go. Trying to describe the intricate details of a building or the play of light and shadows with words alone can be challenging. But through a series of captivating images, you can immerse your audience in the architecture.

And finally, if you’re aiming to evoke emotions or make a powerful statement, photo essays are outstanding. Images have an incredible ability to shock, inspire, and move people in ways that words often struggle to achieve. So if you want to raise awareness about an environmental issue or ignite a sense of empathy, a compelling series of photographs can have a profound impact.

Photo essay examples and ideas

Looking to create a photo essay but don’t know where to start? Here are some handy essay ideas and examples for inspiration!

1. A day in the life

Your first photo essay idea is simple: Track a life over the course of one day. You might make an essay about someone else’s life. Or the life of a location, such as the sidewalk outside your house. 

The subject matter you choose is up to you. But start in the morning and create a series of images showing your subject over the course of a typical day.

(Alternatively, you can document your subject on a special day, like a birthday, a wedding, or some other celebration.)

2. Capture hands

Portraits focus on a subject’s face – but why not mix it up and make a photo essay that focuses on your subject’s hands?

(You can also focus on a collection of different people’s hands.)

Hands can tell you a lot about a person. And showing them in context is a great way to narrate a story.

3. Follow a sports team for a full season

Sports are all about emotions – both from the passionate players and the dedicated fans. While capturing the intensity of a single game can be exhilarating, imagine the power of telling the complete story of a team throughout an entire season.

For the best results, you’ll need to invest substantial time in sports photography. Choose a team that resonates with you and ensure their games are within a drivable distance. By photographing their highs and lows, celebrations and challenges, you’ll create a compelling photo essay that traces their journey from the first game to the last.

4. A child and their parent

Photographs that catch the interaction between parents and children are special. A parent-child connection is strong and unique, so making powerful images isn’t challenging. You just need to be ready to capture the special moments as they happen. 

You might concentrate on a parent teaching their child. Or the pair playing sports. Or working on a special project.

Use your imagination, and you’ll have a great time with this theme.

5. Tell a local artist’s story 

I’ve always enjoyed photographing artists as they work; studios have a creative vibe, so the energy is already there. Bring your camera into this environment and try to tell the artist’s story!

An artist’s studio offers plenty of opportunities for wonderful photo essays. Think about the most fascinating aspects of the artist’s process. What do they do that makes their art special? Aim to show this in your photos.

Many people appreciate fine art, but they’re often not aware of what happens behind the scenes. So documenting an artist can produce fascinating visual stories.

6. Show a tradesperson’s process

Do you have a plumber coming over to fix your kitchen sink? Is a builder making you a new deck?

Take photos while they work! Tell them what you want to do before you start, and don’t forget to share your photos with them.

They’ll probably appreciate seeing what they do from another perspective. They may even want to use your photos on their company website.

7. Photograph your kids as they grow

There’s something incredibly special about documenting the growth of our little ones. Kids grow up so quickly – before you know it, they’re moving out. Why not capture the beautiful moments along the way by creating a heartwarming photo essay that showcases their growth?

There are various approaches you can take, but one idea is to capture regular photos of your kids standing in front of a distinct point of reference, such as the refrigerator. Over a year or several years, you can gather these images and place them side by side to witness your childrens’ incredible transformations.

8. Cover a local community event

A school fundraiser, a tree-planting day at a park, or a parade; these are are all community events that make for good photo essay ideas.

Think like a photojournalist . What type of images would your editor want? Make sure to capture some wide-angle compositions , some medium shots, and some close-ups.

(Getting in close to show the details can often tell as much of a story as the wider pictures.)

9. Show fresh market life

Markets are great for photography because there’s always plenty of activity and lots of characters. Think of how you can best illustrate the flow of life at the market. What are the vendors doing that’s most interesting? What are the habits of the shoppers?

Look to capture the essence of the place. Try to portray the people who work and shop there.

10. Shoot the same location over time

What location do you visit regularly? Is there a way you can make an interesting photo essay about it?

Consider what you find most attractive and ugly about the place. Look for aspects that change over time. 

Any outdoor location will look different throughout the day. Also think about the changes that occur from season to season. Create an essay that tells the story of the place.

11. Document a local festival

Festivals infuse cities and towns with vibrant energy and unique cultural experiences. Even if your own town doesn’t have notable festivals, chances are a neighboring town does. Explore the magic of these celebrations by documenting a local festival through your lens.

Immerse yourself in the festivities, arriving early and staying late. Capture the colorful displays and the people who make the festival come alive. If the festival spans multiple days, consider focusing on different areas each time you visit to create a diverse and comprehensive photo essay that truly reflects the essence of the event.

12. Photograph a garden through the seasons

It might be your own garden . It could be the neighbor’s. It could even be the garden at your local park.

Think about how the plants change during the course of a year. Capture photos of the most significant visual differences, then present them as a photo essay.

13. Show your local town or city

After spending several years in a particular area, you likely possess an intimate knowledge of your local town or city. Why not utilize that familiarity to create a captivating photo essay that showcases the essence of your community?

Delve into what makes your town special, whether it’s the charming streets, unique landmarks, or the people who shape its character. Dedicate time to capturing the diverse aspects that define your locale. If you’re up for a more extensive project, consider photographing the town over the course of an entire year, capturing the changing seasons and the dynamic spirit of your community.

14. Pick a local cause to highlight

Photo essays can go beyond passive documentation; they can become a part of your activism, too!

So find a cause that matters to you. Tell the story of some aspect of community life that needs improvement. Is there an ongoing issue with litter in your area? How about traffic; is there a problematic intersection?

Document these issues, then make sure to show the photos to people responsible for taking action.

15. Making a meal

Photo essay ideas can be about simple, everyday things – like making a meal or a coffee.

How can you creatively illustrate something that seems so mundane? My guess is that, when you put your mind to it, you can come up with many unique perspectives, all of which will make great stories.

16. Capture the life of a flower

In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to overlook the beauty that surrounds us. Flowers, with their mesmerizing colors and rapid life cycles, offer a captivating subject for a photo essay. Try to slow down and appreciate the intricate details of a flower’s existence.

With a macro lens in hand, document a single flower or a patch of flowers from their initial shoots to their inevitable wilting and decomposition. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to bring viewers into the enchanting world of the flower. By freezing these fleeting moments, you’ll create a visual narrative that celebrates the cycle of life and the exquisite beauty found in nature’s delicate creations.

17. Religious traditions

Religion is often rich with visual expression in one form or another. So capture it!

Of course, you may need to narrow down your ideas and choose a specific aspect of worship to photograph. Aim to show what people do when they visit a holy place, or how they pray on their own. Illustrate what makes their faith real and what’s special about it.

18. Historic sites

Historic sites are often iconic, and plenty of photographers take a snapshot or two.

But with a photo essay, you can illustrate the site’s history in greater depth.

Look for details of the location that many visitors miss. And use these to build an interesting story.

19. Show the construction of a building

Ever been away from a familiar place for a while only to return and find that things have changed? It happens all the time, especially in areas undergoing constant development. So why not grab your camera and document this transformation?

Here’s the idea: Find a building that’s currently under construction in your area. It could be a towering skyscraper, a modern office complex, or even a small-scale residential project. Whatever catches your eye! Then let the magic of photography unfold.

Make it a habit to take a photo every day or two. Watch as the building gradually takes shape and evolves. Capture the construction workers in action, the cranes reaching for the sky, and the scaffolding supporting the structure.

Once the building is complete, you’ll have a treasure trove of images that chronicle its construction from start to finish!

20. Document the changing skyline of the city

This photo essay example is like the previous one, except it works on a much larger scale. Instead of photographing a single building as it’s built, find a nice vantage point outside your nearest city, then photograph the changing skyline.

To create a remarkable photo essay showcasing the changing skyline, you’ll need to scout out the perfect vantage point. Seek high ground that offers a commanding view of the city, allowing you to frame the skyline against the horizon. Look for spots that give you an unobstructed perspective, whether a rooftop terrace, a hillside park, or even a nearby bridge.

As you set out on your photography expedition, be patient and observant. Cities don’t transform overnight; they change gradually over time. Embrace the passage of days, weeks, and months as you witness the slow evolution unfold.

Pro tip: To capture the essence of this transformation, experiment with various photographic techniques. Play with different angles, framing, and compositions to convey the grandeur and dynamism of the changing skyline. Plus, try shooting during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset , when the soft light bathes the city in a warm glow and accentuates the architectural details.

21. Photograph your pet

If you’re a pet owner, you already have the perfect subject for a photo essay!

All pets , with the possible exception of pet rocks, will provide you with a collection of interesting moments to photograph.

So collect these moments with your camera – then display them as a photo essay showing the nature and character of your pet.

22. Tell the story of a local nature preserve

Ah, the wonders of a local nature preserve! While it may not boast the grandeur of Yosemite National Park, these hidden gems hold their own beauty, just waiting to be discovered and captured through the lens of your camera.

To embark on this type of photo essay adventure, start by exploring all the nooks and crannies of your chosen nature preserve. Wander along its winding trails, keeping an eye out for unique and captivating subjects that convey the essence of the preserve.

As you go along, try to photograph the intricate details of delicate wildflowers, the interplay of light filtering through a dense forest canopy, and the lively activities of birds and other wildlife.

23. Show the same subject from multiple perspectives

It’s possible to create an entire photo essay in a single afternoon – or even in a handful of minutes. If you don’t love the idea of dedicating yourself to days of photographing for a single essay, this is a great option.

Simply find a subject you like, then endeavor to capture 10 unique images that include it. I’d recommend photographing from different angles: up above, down low, from the right and left. You can also try getting experimental with creative techniques, such as intentional camera movement and freelensing. If all goes well, you’ll have a very cool set of images featuring one of your favorite subjects!

By showcasing the same subject from multiple perspectives, you invite viewers on a visual journey. They get to see different facets, textures, and details that they might have overlooked in a single photograph. It adds depth and richness to your photo essay, making it both immersive and dynamic.

Photo essay ideas: final words

Remember: Photo essays are all about communicating a concept or a story through images rather than words. So embrace the process and use images to express yourself!

Whether you choose to follow a sports team through a thrilling season, document the growth of your little ones, or explore the hidden treasures of your local town, each photo essay has its own magic waiting to be unlocked. It’s a chance to explore your creativity and create images in your own style.

So look at the world around you. Grab your gear and venture out into the wild. Embrace the beauty of nature, the energy of a bustling city, or the quiet moments that make life special. Consider what you see every day. What aspects interest you the most? Photograph those things.

You’re bound to end up with some amazing photo essays!

Now over to you:

Do you have any photo essay examples you’re proud of? Do you have any more photo essay ideas? Share your thoughts and images in the comments below!

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Kevin Landwer-Johan is a photographer, photography teacher, and author with over 30 years of experience that he loves to share with others.

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Advice for an Unforgettable Photo Essay

Six steps for turning your images into a memorable photo essay, from curating your best work to crafting a title.

A man sits alone on a chair on the side of the road. We see him from above, surrounded by grey cobblestones neatly placed, a broken plastic chair, and some pylons scattered along the curb. A street cat wanders out of the frame and away from the man. He appears lonely, the only person inhabiting the place in which he seems so comfortably seated. As the eye wanders throughout the frame, however, the viewer discovers more: a vast city cast beyond the street and behind the man’s chair. This image closes Sarah Pannell’s photo essay Sehir , a quiet study of urban life.

Possibilities, discovery, and stories: these are some of the most effective elements of a photo essay. Collections of images can help produce a narrative, evoke emotion, and guide the viewer through one or more perspectives. A well-executed photo essay doesn’t rely on a title or any prior knowledge of its creator; it narrates on its own, moving viewers through sensations, lessons, and reactions.

Famous photo essays like Country Doctor by W. Eugene Smith or Gordon Parks’ The Harlem Family are acclaimed for showing a glimpse into the lives of the sick and impoverished. Other well-made photo essays offer a new way to look at the everyday, such as Peter Funch’s much-reposted photo series 42nd and Vanderbilt , for which Funch photographed the same street corner for nine years. As shown by these photographers’ experiences with the medium, a collection of photos can enliven spaces and attitudes. Strong photo essays can give voice to marginalized individuals and shine a spotlight on previously overlooked experiences.

You don’t necessarily need to be a documentary photographer to create a powerful photo essay. Photo essays can showcase any topic, from nature photography to portraiture to wedding shots. We spoke to a few photographers to get their perspectives on what makes a good photo essay, and their tips for how any photographer can get started in this medium. Here are six steps to follow to create a photo essay that tells a memorable story.

Choose a specific topic or theme for your photo essay.

There are two types of photo essays: the narrative and the thematic. Narrative photo essays focus on a story you’re telling the viewer, while thematic photo essays speak to a specific subject.

The most natural method for choosing a topic or theme for your photo essay is to go with what you know. Photograph what you experience. Whether that includes people, objects, or the things you think about throughout the day, accessibility is key here. Common topics or concepts to start with are emotions (depicting sadness or happiness) or experiences (everyday life, city living).

For photographer Sharon Pannen , planning a photo essay is as simple as “picking out a subject you find interesting or you want to make a statement about.”

From Paper & Stories , a photo series by Sharon Pannen for Schön! Magazine.

Consider your photo subjects.

The subjects of your photographs, whether human or not, will fill the space of your photos and influence the mood or idea you’re trying to depict. The subject can determine whether or not your photos are considered interesting. “I always try to find someone that catches my eye. I especially like to see how the light falls on their face and how a certain aesthetic might add to their persona,” says photographer Victoria Wojtan .

While subjects and their interest factor are, well, subjective, when considering your subjects, you should ask yourself about your audience. Do other people want to see this? Is my subject representative of the larger idea my photo essay is trying to convey? Your projects can involve people you know or people you’ve only just met.

“Most projects I work on involve shooting portraits of strangers, so there’s always a tension in approaching someone for a portrait,” says photographer Taylor Dorrell . For Wojtan, that tension can help build trust with a subject and actually leads to more natural images “If there’s tension it’s usually because the person’s new to being photographed by someone for something that’s outside of a candid moment or selfie, and they need guidance for posing. This gives me the opportunity to make them feel more comfortable and let them be themselves. I tend to have a certain idea in mind, but try to allow for organic moments to happen.”

Aim for a variety of images.

Depending on your theme, there are a few types of photos you’ll want to use to anchor your essay. One or two lead photos should slowly introduce the viewer to your topic. These initial photos will function in a similar way to the introductory paragraph in a written essay or news article.

From there, you should consider further developing your narrative by introducing elements like portraiture, close ups, detail shots, and a carefully selected final photo to leave the viewer with the feeling you set out to produce in your photos. Consider your opening and closing images to be the most important elements of your photo essay, and choose them accordingly. You want your first images to hook the viewer, and you also want your final images to leave a lasting impression and perhaps offer a conclusion to the narrative you’ve developed.

Including different types of photos, shot at different ranges, angles, and perspectives, can help engage your viewer and add more texture to your series.

Says photographer Taylor Dorrell: “After I have a group of images, I tend to think about color, composition, the order the images were taken, the subject material, and relevance to the concept.”

From Taylor Dorrell’s photo essay White Fences : “White Fences is an ongoing photo series that explores the theme of suburban youth in the United States, specifically in the midwest suburb New Albany, Ohio.”

Put your emotions aside.

Self-doubt can easily come into play when working with your own photography. The adage that we are our own worst critics is often true. It can be difficult to objectively select your strongest images when creating a photo essay. This is why putting together photo essays is such a useful practice for developing your curatorial skills.

“The most important part for me is getting outside opinions. I don’t do that enough, and have a bias in selecting images that might not be the most powerful images or the most effective sequence of images,” says Dorrell. Your own perception of a photograph can cloud your ability to judge whether or not it adds to your photo essay. This is especially true when your essay deals with personal subjects. For example, a photo essay about your family may be hard to evaluate, as your own feelings about family members will impact how you take and view the photos. This is where getting feedback from peers can be invaluable to producing a strong series.

Collecting feedback while putting your photo essay together can help you determine the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps within the collection of photos you’ve produced. Ask your friends to tell you their favorites, why they like them, and what they think you’re going for in the work you’ve created. Their opinions can be your guide, not just your own emotions.

Edit your photo selection.

Beyond post-production, the series of photos you select as your essay will determine whether you’ve executed your theme or narrative effectively. Can the photos stand alone, without written words, and tell the story you set out to? Do they make sense together, in a logical sequence? The perfect photo essay will give your audience a full picture of the narrative, theme, or essence you’re looking to capture.

A good method to use to cull your images down is to remove as many as half of your images straight away to see if your narrative is still as strong with fewer photos. Or, perhaps, deciding on a small number you’d like to aim for (maybe just five to ten images) and using this as a method to narrow down to the images that tell your story best.

From Taylor Dorrell’s photo essay Over the Rhine , featured in Vice.

Give your photo essay a title, and add a concise written statement.

Finally, you’ll want to create a title and written statement for your photo essay. This will help position your work and can enable the viewer to fully understand your intention, or at least guide their perspective.

A solid written statement and title will be relevant to your topic, detail your primary objective, and introduce your point of view. It’s an opportunity to clarify your intentions to the viewer and ensure they walk away with a clear interpretation of your work. Depending on your photo essay, you may want to include several paragraphs of text, but even just one or two sentences of background can be enough to expand the viewer’s understanding of your work.

Consider if you’d like to add the written statement at the beginning of your essay to introduce it, or at the end as a conclusion. Either one can be impactful, and it depends how you’d like people to experience your work.

For his photo essay White Fences, excerpted above, Taylor Dorrell wrote only one sentence of introduction. But for his series Over the Rhine, Dorell included a longer written statement to accompany the work, which is “an ongoing photo series that seeks to explore the Cincinnati neighborhood of the same name and its surroundings. The series was started in response to the shooting of Samuel DuBose, an unarmed black man, by officer Ray Tensing of the University of Cincinnati Police, which happened July 19th, 2015.” Dorell’s text goes on to offer more background on the project, setting up the viewer with all the information they need to understand the context of the photo essay.

Depending on the motivations behind your photo essay and what sort of subject it depicts, a longer text may be necessary—or just a few words might be enough.

Looking for a place to share your photo essays with the world? Take a look at our guide to creating a photography website for tips on showcasing your photos online.

Cover image by Taylor Dorrell, from his photo essay Hurricane Over Sugar .

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How to Create a Photo Essay

The photographic essay, also called a photo essay or photo story, is a powerful way for photographers to tell a story with their images. If you are interested in creating your own photo essay, this article will guide you through the whole process, from finding a story to shoot to the basics of crafting your first visual narrative.

Table of Contents

What is a photo essay.

A photo essay tells a story visually. Just like the kind you read, the photo essay offers a complete rendering of a subject or situation using a series of carefully crafted and curated images. Photo stories have a theme, and each image backs up that overarching theme which is defined in the photo essay’s title and is sometimes supported with text.

From documentary to narrative to essay, photo stories are designed to move their audience, to inspire a certain action, awareness, or emotion. Photo stories are not just a collection of cool photos. They must use their visual power to capture viewers’ attention and remain unforgettable.

History of the Photo Story

In the “old days”, that is, before 1948, magazines ran photo stories very different from what we know today. They were staged, preconceived by an editor, not a truthful observation of life. Along came a photographer named W. Eugene Smith, who worked for Life magazine.

Deciding to follow a rural doctor for six weeks, he gathered material for a photo essay that really showed what it was like to be in that doctor’s shoes, always on the go to help his scattered patients. Smith’s piece, “ Country Doctor ,” shook other photographers out of their scripted stupor and revolutionized the way photographers report what they see.

From then on, photojournalism gained life and an audience through the lenses of legends like Robert Capa, Dorothea Lange, David “Chim” Seymour, Gordon Parks, Werner Bischof, and Henri Cartier-Bresson. The Vietnam War provided many examples for photo stories as represented by Philip Jones Griffiths, Catherine Leroy, and many more.

More recently, photo stories have found a sturdy home online thanks to the ease of publishing a series of photos digitally versus in print. Lynsey Addario, Peter Essick, and Adam Ferguson represent a few of the photographers pushing visual storytelling today.

Ways to Find Photo Stories and Themes

Photo stories exist all around, right in the midst of everyday life and in the fray of current events. A good place to begin developing a photo essay is by choosing a general theme.

Topics that Interest You

The best expression comes from the heart, so why not choose a topic that interests you. Maybe it’s a social issue, an environmental one, or just something you’re curious about. Find what moves you and share that with the world.

Personal Experiences

The more you’ve lived, the more you have to tell. This doesn’t necessarily mean age, it can also refer to experiences, big and small. If you know a subject better than most, like what it’s like to recover from a car crash, you’re an expert on the matter and therefore you have a story to tell. Also, consider the things you read and see or watch, like news or history, and incorporate that into your search for a story.

Problem/Solution

Problems abound in the world. But so do solutions. Photojournalists can present either, or both. Have a look at something that’s wrong in society and show why it’s a problem. Or find a problem that’s been resolved and show the struggle it took to get there. Even better, take your time shooting your story — sometimes it can take years — and document how a wrong is righted.

Day-in-the-Life

One of the most popular formats, day-in-the-life photo stories present microcosms of life that relate to the bigger picture. In a similar vein, behind-the-scenes photo stories show viewers what life is really like for others, especially in situations that are difficult or impossible to access. Events represent another simple yet powerful theme for documenting and storytelling with a camera.

Types of Photo Stories

Most photo stories concern people. If it’s about something like the environment, for example, the photo story can showcase the people involved. In either case, the impactful photo story will present the challenges and dilemmas of the human condition, viscerally.

There are three general types of photo stories.

Narrative Story

Narrative deals with complications and their resolution, problems, and solutions. If there appears to be no resolution, at least the struggle to find one can provide material for a photo essay. Some sort of narrative thread must push the story from beginning to middle to end, just like what you see in a good movie.

A good story also requires action, which in this case must be visual. Good stories are page-turners, whether they’re a Kerouac tale or a series of photos demonstrating the difficulties of single parenting. Adventure stories are one good example of photographic narrative storytelling.

The term “photo story” is generally used interchangeably with “photo essay”, but some photographers hold that there are subtle differences between the two. The essay type of photo story implies opinion, they argue. Essays make a point. They are the opposite of facts-only news. A photo story essay makes a case for something, like showing the danger and consequences of illegal fireworks or advocating for the preservation of a forest.

Documentary

On the other hand, documentaries lack opinion. Their purpose is to inform without adding judgment. Documentaries present the facts and let viewers decide. They illustrate something that’s occurring but they don’t always include a narrative story or an opinionated approach. Historical places, current events, and unique lifestyles always make for good documentary photo stories.

How to Craft a Photo Essay

Several elements come into play when putting together a photo essay. Once you’ve found a theme, it’s time to give your project a name. While out shooting, jot down titles that come to mind. Consider the title a magazine headline that explains in few words what the whole story is about.

Choose your photos according to whether or not they relate to and support the photo essay’s title. Reject those photos that don’t. If your collection seems to suggest a different angle, a different title, don’t be afraid to rename it. Sometimes stories develop organically. But if your title can’t assemble and define your selection of photos, maybe it’s too vague. Don’t rush it. Identify the theme, take the photos and the photo essay will take shape.

Certain techniques help tell the photo essay.

A photo essay is composed of a diversity of views, angles, and focal lengths. While masters like Henri Cartier-Bresson could capture a photo essay with a single prime lens, in his case a 50mm, the rest of us are wise to rely on multiple focal lengths. Just like what we see in the movies, a story is told with wide shots that set the scene, medium shots that tell the story, and close-ups that reveal character and emotion.

Unique angles make viewers curious and interested, and they break the monotony of standard photography. Consider working black-and-white into your photo essay. The photo essay lends itself well to reportage exclusively in monochrome, as the legends have demonstrated since W. Eugene Smith.

Visual Consistency

The idea of a photo essay is to create a whole, not a bunch of random parts. Think gestalt. The images must interact with each other. Repetition helps achieve this end. Recurring themes, moods, styles, people, things, and perspectives work to unify a project even if the photos tell different parts of the story.

Text can augment the impact of a photo essay. A photo may be worth a thousand words, but it doesn’t always replace them. Captions can be as short as a complete sentence, as long as a paragraph, or longer. Make sure to take notes in case you want to add captions. Some photo stories, however, function just fine without words.

Tell a Story as a Photographer

Few genres of photography have moved people like the photo essay. Since its inception, the art of visual storytelling has captivated audiences. Photo stories show viewers things they had never seen, have moved masses to action, and have inspired video documentaries. Today, photo stories retain their power and place, in part thanks to the internet. Every photographer should experiment with a photo essay or two.

The method of crafting a photo essay is simple yet complicated, just like life. Careful attention must be paid to the selection of images, the choice of title, and the techniques used in shooting. But follow these guidelines and the photo stories will come. Seek issues and experiences that inspire you and go photograph them with the intention of telling a complete story. The viewing world will thank you.

Image credits: Header photo shows the May 13, 1957 story in LIFE magazine titled, “ The Tough Miracle Man of Vietnam .” Stock photos from Depositphotos

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Exploring the Picture Essay: Tips, Best Practices, and Examples

April 18, 2023

Words by Jeff Cardello

A picture essay lets you harness the power of images to tell stories, evoke emotions, and convey a sense of place, time, and perspective.

Picture essays drop viewers right into the action, letting them see things through the camera’s lens, offering insights and understanding that isn’t possible through words alone. From static pages of photos, to carousels and animated articles, photo essays come in many forms. With no-code tools like Vev , it’s now easier than ever for journalists, designers, and publishers to create immersive, visually-led digital content to make their stories stand out from the crowd. Here’s everything you need to know about crafting stunning picture essays — from techniques and best practices through to world-class examples.

What is a Picture Essay?

Picture essays, also known as photo essays, are a form of visual storytelling . They are composed of a series of photos which together form a narrative or communicate information or ideas. They can have a clear beginning, middle, and end, but aren’t necessarily bound to linear narratives. Whether used for a chronological story or capturing a moment in time, all of the photos share a common theme that connects them.

Photo essays are often accompanied by text, providing context or conveying additional details. This can range from the most basic information such as titles, dates, or locations, or a caption helping to narrate the visual story. Some picture essays may rely solely on the imagery, while others may include more text to create a scrollytelling piece of content, with text even overlaid on the photos. The key to a picture essay is that the driver and focus is the visuals.

The Origins of the Picture Essay

Photography emerged as a documentary form at the beginning of the 20th century. Many cite Lewis Hine and the work he did between 1911 and 1916 in bringing attention to the harsh realities of child labor in the United States as one of the earliest examples of the picture essay. In 1948, the photographer W. Eugene Smith published a picture essay titled “Country Doctor” following a physician in rural Colorado and showing his work with the patients as well as what he did in his downtime. This is another notable example that elevated picture-taking into a journalistic art form.

Lewis Hine’s photos captured the hardships of children in the workplace and were instrumental in changing American labor laws.

Picture essays have remained an important part of journalism, having kept pace from its black-and-white beginnings to the high-resolution full-color images of today’s digital media.

Design Techniques for the Perfect Picture Essay

Scrollytelling images.

Scrollytelling images smoothly fade from one photo to the next as someone moves through a website, often with overlaid text to help describe what is happening in the images. This a subtle, yet effective way to break up content, and makes sure that each photo captures the attention of those scrolling.

Scroll Speed

Scroll speed is an effect that controls how reactive elements are to scrolling. Varying how reactive elements are to scrolling gives them a sense of distinction, rather than having them all lumped together in one long block. For example, a lower setting like 10% will make a photo move slower than one that’s set at 90%. This technique creates a scroll animation that keeps readers engaged in the picture essay. 

Scroll Progress Bars

A website full of photos often presents a lengthy amount of content for visitors to navigate through, especially if it’s a single page. Scroll progress bars , often tucked into the top of the screen, show visitors where they’re at and urge them to keep scrolling to the end.

Image Comparison Slider

When you want to display photos that show the before and after of something, an image comparison slider makes it possible to communicate changes through a single interactive image.

Clickable Image Hotspots

Photo essays rely on images to tell much of their stories, but text also provides context and additional information, clickable hotspots, also known as labeled images , maximize screen space and give visitors control in revealing details.

Image Carousels

Image carousels let visitors click, scroll, or drag through a series of images and are generally navigated horizontally, but may take other forms.

Best Practices for Picture Essay Design

• Know the story you want to tell: Identify the main points you want to visually communicate. Photo essays can tell a linear story but also be used to convey a sense of atmosphere or feeling. 
• Use different types of shots: Photographs can become monotonous when they’re all the same. Mix up things with different angles, close-up shots, different compositions, and other variations to keep your picture essays interesting.
• Choose only the best images: Photos shouldn’t only look good, but be relevant to the story you’re telling. 
• Know your audience: Keep in mind the target demographic the photo essay is intended for and make sure the style and tone are in line with who they are. 
• Keep things moving: Utilize scroll-triggered transitions, animations, and other points of interactivity to guide visitors through and keep their attention.

10 Aspirational Picture Essay Examples

From egmont to taranaki.

From Egmont to Taranaki is a picture essay built with Vev that’s both a personal story and a history lesson. It recounts the author John Campbell’s travels through the New Zealand countryside with a terminally ill friend while also delving into the painful past of how the indigenous Maori became dispossessed of these very spaces. Much like the twists and turns of the road, this photo essay bounces back between John’s memories and the history of this land.

Along with photos showing the beautiful green landscape and delightfully greasy food that John enjoyed with his friend during their travels, there are also animated effects. Fade-ins, text scrolling over fixed images, and parallax break the content up and keep up your momentum as you move through it.

Food for Thought

From sheep grazing on the rocky hillsides of Kyrgyzstan to fishermen casting their nets into the blue waters off of Indonesia, Food for Thought depicts where food comes from across the globe. The photos are big and brilliant, capturing the people tasked with the hard work of food production, the geography, as well as the animals and crops they are responsible for.

Each section uses a fixed image parallax scrolling effect that functions as a sliding window drawing the next image into place. There’s also a great use of hot spots, represented by circular icons that visitors can click on in learning more.

With its handsome metallic luster and Art Deco geometry, Bialetti’s pots help so many start their days with an easy way to brew cups of dark and delicious coffee.

They have a long and interesting history that can be traced back to 1933 when Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti introduced its stovetop coffee maker. Bialetti tells its story through images showing where Alfonso drew his inspiration, product photos, and advertisements over the years. Along with a comprehensive timeline of visuals, you’ll also find plenty of motion in the form of parallax scrolling, animations, and other dynamic visuals. The scroll progress bar at the top is also a nice touch, showing people where they are in this one-page design.

Witnesses to History Keepers of Memory

Witnesses to History Keepers of Memory is an interactive photo essay put together by the Montreal Holocaust Museum. Pictured are Holocaust survivors along with the items they still have that accompanied them through detainment.

The main gallery of photos has much in terms of interactivity with hover-triggered animations, and a previous and next button letting you flip through them. The cursor turns into an eye icon, and clicking through on any of the photos brings you to a new screen that tells the story of the person pictured.

Seeing these people today, along with these personal items is a strong reminder that this terrible period of history wasn’t that long ago, and shows the strength and resilience of those who went through it.

Hakai Autonomous Ocean

Gliders are submersible robots used by scientists to explore what’s beneath the ocean and to gather data. They’re a relatively new technology, free from propellers, which harness ocean currents to move them through the water. The Autonomous Ocean begins with video footage of the sea rushing by and text telling how one of these $150,000 robots was experiencing trouble. It’s a dramatic opening that makes you want to keep reading to find out what happened.

Built with Vev, this single-page website is full of photographs showing oceanic gliders in action and how scientists use them. Scrollytelling images provide smooth transitions fading from one photo to the next, with accompanying text moving over them. This design also features a clever image comparison slider, displaying both the internal and external features of this submersible.

Moma Strange Brew

Viewed at a distance, John Klines’ art installation entitled Skittles looks like a refrigerator of fancy juices that you might find at any upscale grocer. The labels affixed to these juices reveal that inside these bottles are ingredients like yoga mat, fake plant, and shopping bag. All that looks delicious and nutritious from afar is something far grosser, making this art piece a funny and satirical take on consumerism.

This photo essay shows the steps involved in creating this piece, moving you through each stage of how this humorous and thought-provoking art piece came to be.

Picture essays are a documentary form of visual storytelling , and non-profits use them to bring attention to the problems of the world, and what they're doing to help solve them.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, more commonly known as UNICEF, is committed to the rights and health of children. This picture essay , featuring work by photographer Jan Grarup, covers UNICEF’s Denmark warehouse, where medicines and other essential goods are stored, and the people in countries like Haiti, Lebanon, and Uganda that these items reach.

Photos show shelves full of supplies, the places they’re sent out to, and the hospitals where they’re so desperately needed. You see the hardships that people face, and how UNICEF’s work helps improve their lives. It’s a breathtaking piece of photojournalism showing why their humanitarian work is so important.

The Guardian 

Slippery slope? Alpine tourism in the face of climate crisis covers climate change and how it impacts the Alps. This photo essay not only shows scenes of winter tourism, but what the Alps are like year-round. This gives an in-depth look at the interrelationships between the people, landscape, and ecosystem and the cascade of effects that global warming causes. 

Because this photo essay focuses on two very different times of the year, you’ll find several image comparison sliders showing what the Alps look like in the winter, and what they look like after the snow melts. Image comparison sliders work perfectly comparing different times of the year, and maximizing screen space.

The Naija Story

Since Nigeria declared its independence from Britain in October of 1960, they have had both turmoil and triumphs. Naija Story communicates Nigeria’s history, bringing visitors to who they are as a country today.

This design is divided into sections covering topics like politics, technology, and entertainment. Photo essays are an effective medium for history, and Naija Story uses them to highlight the events that have shaped Nigeria in these individual sections.

Along with photos, there are scroll-triggered animations that shift the visuals and text into place, as well as lines that connect all of these events making them simple to follow. There’s so much to learn about Nigeria, and it’s all conveyed in an artistic, yet easy-to-understand way.

Ukrainian Ballerina Uprooted by War Flies High Again

Ending our exploration of picture essays is this piece from Reuters, which tells the story of ballet dancer Ganna Muromtseva who fled from war-torn Ukraine, and whose journey brought her to the Hungary State Opera where she got to be a part of their performance of Swan Lake. With a well-balanced mix of writing and photos that show her life both on the stage and off, visitors get a personal look into her life.

Along with candid photography, there’s also a nice sense of interactivity. As visitors scroll text moves over the photos, giving context. There are also fade-ins as one moves from one image to the next, which also adds dynamics to the visuals.

Create Stunning Picture Essays in Vev

If you have a story you’d like to tell through photos, Vev offers a multitude of creative possibilities to bring it to life. With image comparison sliders, carousels, scroll animations, and other pre-built elements, we make it possible to create visually captivating editorial content just as you imagined it — without needing to write a line of code. When your design is ready, publish it to any existing website through Vev or embed your Vev project into your existing CMS.

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Powerful photo essays: Tips for visual impact

Photo essays are a great way to tell a visually impactful story about your work. If you’re not sure where to begin or what to consider when crafting a photo essay, check out this Q&A where Tara shares her expertise on how to plan for and execute an effective photo essay.

(Responses edited for length and clarity.) 

Q: What are some creative ways a social impact organization could utilize a photo essay? 

Photo essays are versatile storytelling tools. They’re typically associated with more journalistic mediums, but can easily be used for NGO communications. Include a photo essay in an annual report to give your reader a break from the text. Or spruce up your Instagram presence with a carousel of photos.

Q: Photo essays tend to be thematic or narrative. What is the first thing one should consider when choosing the right type of photo essay?  

Good question. A thematic approach is when you curate photos that relate to a similar topic. For example, if you’re telling a story related to agricultural solutions in Latin America, you could curate a photo essay that showcases farming techniques in that region.

A narrative approach follows more of a traditional story structure and typically is about one person or a group of people.

Q: What kind of research goes into crafting a photo essay?

Pre-work ideally includes site visits. If that’s not possible, then talk to people who have been to the area recently and set up meetings with local leaders or people in the community who are knowledgeable about the topic. Also, try to interview the subject beforehand and think about how you’d like to shape the story. 

Even if you only need one photo, some level of pre-work is a good idea. It takes a lot of energy and money to execute a shoot, so once you’re there maximize the opportunity!

Q: Let’s hone in on the narrative approach. To profile an individual, such as a local game-changer, what would you recommend?

When profiling an individual, it’s important to understand the work they do and the life they lead before showing up for the shoot. We want to shoot action, so ask about any significant events that might be happening or daily routines that could be interesting to document.

Q: What are some tips to capture a project where tons of pre-planning isn’t possible?

Write out a plan as much as possible, even if it’s just what you hope to see, and then embrace a spirit of flexibility.

Q: Let’s take a look at some case studies. Here is a Turkish All-Women’s Theater Group that was featured in The Guardian. It tells a vivid story about this group of women and their lives. Tell us about your approach here.

This story is significant because it’s about both an individual woman, Ummiye, and a community of female actors who are impacting their society in an unusual way. Ummiye was the founder of the troupe and I wanted to showcase her home life as well as what it was like traveling with the group. I was allowed backstage and in her home and it was an honor to document. It’s a story of resilience and change, the type I love capturing.

Q: And let’s also take a look at this photography featuring chhaupadi, a ritual in western Nepal in which menstruating women are isolated. This was featured in a New York Times article. Would you still consider this photo essay narrative or thematic?  

Good question. The photos captured for this story are both narrative and thematic. The part about the woman who changed her village’s perspective about chhaupadi has a narrative effect. In other parts of the story, it’s more about providing background knowledge about the practice and how it affects women, so the photos in this instance provide a thematic purpose. 

Both approaches were necessary to tell the story: to show how widespread the practice is, while also focusing on individuals like the teacher who changed her entire village’s approach. 

Q: What are things to consider when reviewing a photo essay before publishing it? 

Be brutal while reviewing your photo essay. One of the most common mistakes we see are nearly identical photos side-by-side. Each photo should contribute a significant and distinct part to the story.

Q: What are some tips on how to do a photo essay with a tight budget?  

• It’s best to avoid stock photography for a narrative photo essay. If you don’t have the photos, think about a thematic set of pictures which might be easier to find with stock.
• Note: Getting photos after a photo shoot is typically difficult; so if you’re depending on photos (or video) from the subject, make sure you have them in advance of the shoot, or get them during shooting if possible.  
• Nowadays, it’s possible to do a photo shoot over Zoom if you can’t shoot on location. 

PS – also remember, text can be visual too and can greatly enhance a photo essay!

Thanks, Tara, for this deep dive into photo essays! To learn more about how your organization can incorporate visual storytelling tools (like a photo essay) into your work, we invite you to book a free discovery call with Tara!

Tags: photography, visual storytelling tips, visualstorytelling

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Narrative Photography – Storytelling Through the Lens

Narrative photography is a captivating genre that transcends mere visual documentation, delving into the realm of storytelling through images. Unlike traditional photography that focuses solely on aesthetics or technical prowess, narrative photography weaves a compelling narrative, evoking emotions, raising questions, and inviting viewers into a richly layered visual narrative. Through carefully composed scenes, use of symbolism, and strategic framing, narrative photographers craft stories that resonate deeply with their audience, sparking imagination and fostering a profound connection between the viewer and the captured moment.

Table of Contents

• 1 Key Takeaways
• 2 What Is Narrative Photography?
• 3.1 Understanding Narrative Photography
• 3.2 Elements of Composition
• 3.3 Influence of Light and Color
• 4.1 Strategic Camera Settings
• 4.2 Choosing the Right Equipment
• 5.1 Crafting a Visual Language
• 5.2 Capturing Emotion and Authenticity
• 5.3 Photo Essays
• 5.4 Photographs as Clues
• 5.5 Sequencing and the Narrative Structure
• 6.1 Styles and Approaches
• 6.2 From Single Images to Photo Essays
• 7.1 How Does Narrative Photography Differ from Other Photography Genres?
• 7.2 Who Are Some Prominent Artists in the Field of Narrative Photography?
• 7.3 How Can Photographers Effectively Use Sequence and Timing in Narrative Photography?

Key Takeaways

• Narrative photography is a method of using images to tell a story, emphasizing a connected sequence of events.
• Effective narrative photography employs composition, lighting, and perspective to convey the story and engage the viewer.
• Narrative photographers craft visual stories that resonate emotionally and contextually with their audience.

What Is Narrative Photography?

Narrative photography is a genre that transcends mere image capturing to embrace the art of storytelling. Through this visual medium, photographers chronicle events, emotions, and contexts, weaving together a series of images that collectively tell a compelling story. Unlike traditional photography focused on individual moments or aesthetic appeal, narrative photography aims to impart a storyline that is coherent, dynamic, and evocative. This style is prevalent in various mediums, from newspapers to fine art galleries, demonstrating its significance in visual storytelling.

Key elements such as composition, perspective, and lighting are not just tools for visual appeal but are carefully considered choices that contribute to the unfolding narrative.

Photographers utilizing this genre often seek to connect with their audience on a deeper level, inviting them to engage with the imagery and piece together the underlying story. The myriad of techniques available allows the photographer to guide viewers through the narrative, shaping their experience and interpretation of the visual tale being told.

Unlike random snapshots, narrative photography requires intentional decisions about what elements to include and omit. Key components often featured in narrative photography are:

• Context: The setting or environment where the story takes place.
• Characters: Individuals or subjects that play a role in the narrative.
• Action: Events or interactions displayed within the photograph.
• Emotions: Conveyed through facial expressions, body language, or the overall mood.

Photographers employ these elements to guide the viewer through a visual journey. The power of narrative photography lies in its ability to construct a narrative without words, often provoking thought and sparking imagination.

It is not constrained by factual representation but can also explore fictional tales, thereby expanding its creative boundaries.

In practice, the photographer assumes the role of a storyteller. The sequence and structure of the images are crucial as they enable the photographer to build a coherent and engaging story. Effective narrative photography can capture the viewer’s attention and communicate complex ideas through the lens of the camera.

Foundations of Narrative Photography

Narrative photography goes beyond capturing a moment; it’s about conveying a story through visual elements within a photograph. It requires attention to composition, the strategic use of light and color, and the incorporation of emotion and context to create a compelling picture that narrates a tale.

Understanding Narrative Photography

In narrative photography, each image serves as a chapter in a story. The photographer’s task is to distill a narrative into a single frame, or a series of images, that holds the viewer’s attention. Key attributes of narrative photography include the ability to evoke emotion and provide context, immersing the viewer fully into the scene.

Elements of Composition

An effective narrative photograph relies on an array of compositional elements. Strong composition is characterized by:

• Subject: The main focus of the story being told.
• Background: Supports the subject by adding depth and context.
• Visual elements: Lines, shapes, and space that guide the viewer’s eye through the story.

Influence of Light and Color

Light and color are powerful tools in shaping the mood and enhancing the story in a photograph. They can be manipulated to:

• Highlight emotion: Different lighting can evoke different feelings, like warmth or tension.
• Set context: Color can signify time of day or season, placing the narrative within a specific frame of reference.

By understanding and employing these foundational elements, a photographer crafts images into stories that resonate with viewers on an emotional level.

Techniques and Tools

Narrative photography relies on a photographer’s ability to use camera settings and equipment strategically to convey a story. Knowing how to manipulate these aspects helps in enhancing the visual storytelling power of the images.

Strategic Camera Settings

The photographer has to master various camera settings to control how the story is represented. Exposure settings are foundational in narrative photography, as they dictate the mood and tone of the image. They can choose a shallow depth of field to isolate subjects, often achieved through wide aperture settings, which draws the viewer’s focus to specific narrative elements.

• Rule of thirds: A composition guideline that suggests dividing the image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and placing the main subject along these lines or their intersections.
• Exposure triangle: The combination of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These settings must be balanced to achieve the desired effect, whether it’s to freeze a moment in time or create a sense of motion.

Choosing the Right Equipment

The equipment a photographer chooses directly affects the narrative ability of their photographs. Lens choice is particularly crucial, with different focal lengths telling different stories. A telephoto lens may be employed to compress a scene and bring distant subjects closer, often creating a more intimate and focused narrative.

• Focal length: Short focal lengths (wide-angle lenses) can capture a broad scene and provide context, while longer focal lengths (telephoto lenses) can focus on details and compress perspective.
• Lens type: Certain lenses, such as prime lenses, offer sharpness and a wide aperture for a shallow depth of field, indispensable for making subjects stand out.

It’s essential for the photographer to understand the capabilities and limitations of their gear to fully exploit the power of narrative photography.

Building a Narrative

Narrative photography weaves a story using visual elements and composition, aiming to evoke emotion while maintaining authenticity. Photographers must create a compelling narrative through a carefully selected series of images, utilizing a well-considered narrative structure.

Crafting a Visual Language

In narrative photography, the visual language is the alphabet of storytelling. It is characterized by the use of composition, light, and color to convey the themes and emotions of the story. A consistent visual style ensures that each image speaks the same dialect, reinforcing the narrative’s overall impact.

Photographers might use recurring elements or symbolism to establish a coherent visual language.

Capturing Emotion and Authenticity

The emotional core of a narrative is central to its authenticity. Photographers capture candid moments that reflect genuine feelings, which resonate with viewers and lend credibility to the storytelling aspect. Shots filled with emotion often serve as the anchors of a story, around which other images are strategically placed.

Photo Essays

A photo essay is an excellent format for a chronological narrative, showcasing a series of images that build upon each other to tell a complete story. They often start with a wide establishing shot and progress through medium and close-up photos, showing various perspectives and details, much like chapters in a book.

Photographs as Clues

Each photograph in a narrative series can act as a clue to the larger story. The photographer carefully selects images that hint at aspects of the narrative without revealing everything at once, compelling the viewer to move to the next image for more pieces of the story. This technique requires a meticulous selection process to ensure that each image contributes meaningfully to the narrative.

Sequencing and the Narrative Structure

The sequence in which images are presented is the backbone of the narrative structure. The order needs to create a rhythm that guides the viewer seamlessly from one photograph to the next. A skillfully sequenced narrative might follow a linear timeline.

Alternatively, it could be more abstract, requiring the viewer to piece together the narrative from the emotional and thematic depth of the images.

Narrative Photography in Practice

Narrative photography harnesses the power of visual storytelling, utilising various styles and approaches to convey a story or emotion within a frame. Photographers leverage techniques to craft a narrative that can unfold across a single image or be elaborated through a series such as photo essays.

Styles and Approaches

In narrative photography, styles can range from documentary and candid to posed and abstract. Each style lends itself to different storytelling techniques:

• Documentary: Photographers capture events as they happen with a focus on honest representations of reality.
• Candid: Unexpected moments are frozen in time, often revealing genuine emotions or actions.
• Posed: Deliberate compositions create a narrative with subjects aware of the camera’s presence.
• Abstract: More elusive, this approach uses shapes, colors, and forms to imply a story, leaving interpretation up to the viewer.

Examples of narrative photography might include a series of portraits that share the life story of an individual, or photojournalists communicating the essence of an event that bears historical significance.

From Single Images to Photo Essays

The narrative potential varies significantly between a single image and a photo essay. A single photograph must encapsulate its narrative succinctly, a challenge that often requires a careful juxtaposition of elements within the frame. These elements can include:

• Composition: Drawing the viewer’s eye along a visual path.
• Lighting: Highlighting subjects or setting a mood.
• Expressions: Conveying emotion through subjects’ faces or body language.

Conversely, photo essays permit an in-depth exploration of a subject, allowing photographers to construct a more comprehensive narrative. This can be broken down into specific components:

• Introduction: Sets the context and introduces the main subject.
• Conflict: Often highlights a challenge or a pivotal point in the narrative.
• Resolution: Concludes the story with a resolution or a call to reflective thought.

Narrative photography stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling, bridging the gap between imagination and reality through carefully curated images. By harnessing the elements of composition, symbolism, and storytelling techniques, narrative photographers create captivating narratives that transcend the boundaries of language and culture, speaking directly to the universal human experience. As viewers engage with these narratives, they not only witness moments frozen in time but also embark on a journey of exploration, interpretation, and emotional connection, making narrative photography a timeless and impactful art form that continues to inspire and provoke thought.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does narrative photography differ from other photography genres.

Narrative photography is characterized by its emphasis on storytelling, contrasting with genres that might prioritize aesthetics or technical prowess. It seeks to convey a message or a sequence of events through visually linked images, providing a sense of progression or narrative to the viewer.

Who Are Some Prominent Artists in the Field of Narrative Photography?

Prominent figures in narrative photography include Henri Cartier-Bresson, known for his concept of the decisive moment, and W. Eugene Smith, whose photo essays exemplify compelling storytelling. These photographers have made significant contributions to the art form by integrating strong narrative elements into their work.

How Can Photographers Effectively Use Sequence and Timing in Narrative Photography?

In narrative photography, sequence and timing are critical for establishing a sense of flow and development in the story. Photographers often use these elements to build tension or determine pacing, arranging images in a particular order that guides the viewer through the narrative.

Isabella studied at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English Literature & Language and Psychology. Throughout her undergraduate years, she took Art History as an additional subject and absolutely loved it. Building on from her art history knowledge that began in high school, art has always been a particular area of fascination for her. From learning about artworks previously unknown to her, or sharpening her existing understanding of specific works, the ability to continue learning within this interesting sphere excites her greatly.

Her focal points of interest in art history encompass profiling specific artists and art movements, as it is these areas where she is able to really dig deep into the rich narrative of the art world. Additionally, she particularly enjoys exploring the different artistic styles of the 20 th century, as well as the important impact that female artists have had on the development of art history.

Learn more about Isabella Meyer and the Art in Context Team .

Cite this Article

Isabella, Meyer, “Narrative Photography – Storytelling Through the Lens.” Art in Context. March 20, 2024. URL: https://artincontext.org/narrative-photography/

Meyer, I. (2024, 20 March). Narrative Photography – Storytelling Through the Lens. Art in Context. https://artincontext.org/narrative-photography/

Meyer, Isabella. “Narrative Photography – Storytelling Through the Lens.” Art in Context , March 20, 2024. https://artincontext.org/narrative-photography/ .

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10 Examples of Powerful Visual Storytelling in Photos

Leading photojournalist Ed Kashi selects 10 photos that tell a story powerfully and gives feedback on what he likes about them.

The Independent Photographer’s latest global photo contest, centred around the theme of ‘visual storytelling’, showcases the work of 10 talented photographers interpreting the world around them. Leading photojournalist Ed Kashi comments on the elements that make them powerful examples of stories told through images.

From series 'Banishanta: Living in Solitude' (© Manel Quiros)

1st Prize – Manel Quiros

Climate activists running into Garzweiler open brown coal mine in Germany (© David Klammer)

2nd Prize – David Klammer

'Maras gang member praying' in San Francisco Gotera jail, El Salvador (© Javier Arcenillas)

3rd Prize – Javier Arcenillas

'Fake forest' in Chongqing, China (© Dave Tacon)

Finalist – Dave Tacon

From series 'The dream is always the same' (© Gianluca Attoli)

Finalist – Gianluca Attoli

'Westminster dog show 3' in Westminster, UK (© Clara Mokri)

Finalist – Clara Mokri

'Jakarta Singing' in Jakarta, Indonesia (© Kristof Vadino)

Finalist – Kristof Vadino

'Roma in Svinia' in Slovakia (© Kristof Huf)

Finalist – Kristof Huf

'Roma in Svinia' in Slovakia (© Leonardo Perugini)

Finalist – Leonardo Perugini

'CRASH' (© Yukiko Sugiyama)

Finalist – Yukiko Sugiyama

07 Mar 2020

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Narrative Photography Ideas, Examples & Tips For 2024

Narrative photography represents a critical dimension in the realm of visual storytelling. It offers a powerful medium for story that transcends traditional confines. This approach is not bound by genre either. From the ephemeral moments of a wedding to the intimate depth of portrait photography , it enhances the resonance of photos across various fields. At its core, narrative photography is about imbuing photographs with a depth that goes beyond the surface.

In this guide, we will explore the intricate aspects of narrative photography, from its definition to its crucial role in the world of visual arts. You'll learn about the significance of the photographer's intent and the context in which they work, key elements that shape the story each image tells. We’ll also guide you through practical tips and insights on how to craft compelling narratives within your own signature style .

Whether you're a budding enthusiast or a seasoned professional, this guide will equip you with the tools to elevate your photographic storytelling. By the end, you'll have a richer understanding of how to harness the power of narrative and to bring your photographic visions to life.

Mike's tender interactions with Mikko, set within the sun-dappled serenity of their transitioning home, stand in poignant contrast to Sonia's courageous role on the COVID-19 frontlines. The images from this narrative photography example serve as both keepsakes and are historical artifacts of this family’s story. They imbue Mikko's childhood memories with a narrative depth that he will one day share with others, a testament to a family's enduring bond.

Embracing Love and Color

Tec Petaja captures the essence of a wedding in the vibrant embrace of Los Cabos, Mexico that is both a celebration of love and a vivid tableau of color . The narrative unfolds through the lens, chronicling the delicate dance of light across architectural details, the intimate exchange of vows under a sunlit sky, and the joyful procession accompanied by the traditional melodies of a Mariachi band. 

Each frame is a testament to the couple’s artistic spirit, weaving the rich tapestry of their West Coast roots with the exuberant culture of Mexico. This narrative photography example is a collection of moments that tell a cohesive story of two lives uniting , set against the backdrop of a place that sings with the beauty of their shared passion for art.

Intimate Tradition

KT Merry encapsulates the profound intimacy of Addie and Richard's destination wedding in Japan , steeped in the country’s rich traditions and time-honored elegance. The series narrates a visual journey of quiet moments against lush backdrops, from the delicate maples to the tranquil temple grounds, each framing a whisper of the sacred vows exchanged. 

The narrative extends to the streets, where the celebration concludes with the couple penning wishes, later to be blessed by monks. It’s a poignant symbol of their union's harmony with cultural reverence and the natural world. The collection stands as a testament to narrative photography, preserving the essence of a day that interweaves love, cultural heritage, and the serenity of nature.

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Narrative Photography Guide. Photos That Tell a Story.

My latest video – A Narrative Photography Guide: How to Create Photos That Tell a Story – just went live! I’d love to hear what you think of the ideas in it.

In this short look at narrative photography, I discuss how incorporating narrative photography techniques into your work can create compelling and meaningful photos that tell a story. By arranging elements in your photos, you can make your viewers see a character in a scene, not just a model posing.

#storytellingphotography #narrativephotography #compositionphotography

Narrative Photography Guide

Check out my narrative photography guide. I have been exploring the exciting world of storytelling photography for the past 7 years! It all started when I photographed a group of Mexica dancers and became fascinated with the stories and traditions that they were passing down. This guide is part of my storytelling photography series, where I share my experiences and insights on how to incorporate the art of storytelling in photography.

Compositional Techniques

So what’s the secret to great visual storytelling? It’s all about being coherent! Every element in your composition should fit together logically to create a narrative photo. Trust me, it’s like the glue that holds everything together! In my latest video, I show you some examples of how I’ve improved my photos by making sure the lighting and perspective are coherent with the other elements of the composition.

Visual Language

It’s not just about narrative, it’s also about creating aesthetically pleasing photos. In my storytelling photography series, I demonstrate how I’ve used hidden geometry and framing to draw attention to my subject. Who knew math could be so cool, am I right? This is all part of the art of storytelling in photography.

The Art of Storytelling in Photography

In short, creating a cohesive composition is the first step towards storytelling photography. So grab your camera and go out there to start telling stories with your photos! Who knows, maybe you’ll become as obsessed with it as I am! Don’t forget to check out this narrative photography guide and my storytelling photography series to learn more about incorporating the art of storytelling in photography into your work.

Here are five action points you can take away from this video:

1. Use visual language to tell a story with your photos. Compose elements in your photo to communicate meaning.

2. Create visually coherent images by making sure every element in your composition fits together logically. Every aspect of your composition needs to work together to create narrative photos.

3. Consider the psychology of perspective when taking photos. High angles can make people feel inferior, while low angles can make people seem more powerful and confident.

4. Experiment with hidden geometry and framing to draw attention to your subject and create visually pleasing compositions.

5. Remember that culture, ethnicity, and other variables can affect how people interpret your photos.

Learn Narrative Photography with JP Stones

Join me on one of my award winning Photography Workshops in Mexico.

Watch my free online course: Storytelling for Photographers !

I’ve spent the last 7 years trying to understand how visual language could help me tell better stories. It started when I was photographing a group of Mexica dancers, back in 2017.

The Mexica enjoy lives rich in mythology, tradition and folklore. They have this strong connection to their past, to ancient stories passed onto through the generations. I found all of this fascinating, and wanted to find a way to bring the stories into the images we were creating.

Fast forward 7 years, and this interest in visual storytelling has turned into a bit of an obsession. But there’s a good reason for that: it’s made me a better photographer. And I think I can sum up that change… with just two words.

A photo can be much more than just aesthetically pleasing. You can also compose elements in your photo to communicate meaning. This is visual language, I look at it in more detail in this video.

When I first started playing with visual language, I wasn’t very good. And that’s because my visual communication was all over the place. It got better when it became more coherent. Think of a great communicator: Winston Churchill maybe, Steve Jobs? Whoever popped into your head, they didn’t get that good by making stuff up on the spot. They carefully composed their speeches.

Visual Communication

Visual communication is no different. Every element in your composition should fit together logically. Coherently.A visually coherent image stands a better chance of luring the viewer into a narrative frame of mind. A state that happens when a viewer no longer sees a model in a photo, but instead they see a character in a scene. Get someone to that point… and they’re way more likely to engage with your photo. Let me show you I mean.

I took this photo of Linda about 7 years ago. It’s one of my first Mexica photos, and I was happy with it. I liked the geometry in the pose and the leading lines of the tree. But looking at it now, I see a giant issue with the visual language. The image was taken at sunset, but my strobe was set to 5000k. That’s a color temperature for the midday sun, not the setting sun.

In other words, the lighting is incoherent with the rest of the scene. It’s not logical. Photos like this can’t be narrative photos because you see a mode posing, not a character. Here is a more recent image, where I made sure to match color temperatures. That’s why it’s immersive, it’s a more believable narrative photo. This isn’t just about lighting though, it’s about every aspect of your composition. They all need to work together to create narrative photos.

Photograph with Intention

My intention with this image was for Linda to radiate confidence and power. But I messed up, I shot her from a high angle. The psychology of perspective tells us that when you literally look down on someone you also figuratively do that. You feel superior to them. Someone you are looking down on is not radiating confidence or power. It doesn’t matter how you set the lights or the pose up. It won’t work. The perspective isn’t coherent with the other elements of the composition like the pose.

A few months later, I had the chance to reshoot this. Notice how your perception of Linda shifts as I change to a lower perspective. That’s because the visual language becomes more coherent. The confident pose paired with a complimentary perspective.

These sound like totally different issues: color temperature and perspective. But both images were improved by thinking about coherent visual language.I’m not saying every photo should tell a story. Composition can be a purely aesthetic exercise. Most of the time I’m just trying to arrange elements into visually pleasing compositions. And not much else. But sometimes I want to add ANOTHER layer. To create compositions that have aesthetic value and narrative value. Photos that look pretty and transfer meaning.

Narrative Photography

Take this photo. We shot it a few weeks ago. It’s a dramatic take on the Mexica New Sun Ceremony. Every 52 years, the yearly calendar and the shorter Ritual Calendar end on the same day. On that day, the story goes, the Aztec God of Fire Xiuhtecuhtli, binds these two calendars together to create a new sun.

Cohesive Compositions

It’s a great story, and this photo is an attempt at communicating those ideas visually. The fire of course is because the subject is Xiuhtecuhtli the God of Fire. The two torches arc together to symbolize this binding of calendars. The semi-circle created is the shape of a rising sun, or a New Sun.

So, that’s the narrative side of the composition, but there is also an aesthetic side. That semi-circle is a strong geometric shape. Hidden geometry is a well established compositional technique. I love doing this.

It’s been going on for eons.

I also used the fire pots to help frame the model. Framing is another aesthetic trick that draws attention to your subject.

What you get from reading this image is going to depend on your culture, ethnicity and other variables.

I’m not claiming you can read an image like a book.

But if you work on creating cohesive compositions, you’re taking a solid first step towards narrative photography. To have people see characters, not just another model posing.

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8 Best Creative Storytelling Photography Ideas

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We’re all familiar with creative storytelling in literature and on the small and big screen. But photography is a great medium for storytelling, too. Remember, a picture paints a thousand words! A powerful photograph can take us on a journey. It can transport us to another world. And it can tell us a story. It can be a story of real-life hardship. Or it can be a work of complete fantasy.

What Is Storytelling Photography?

8 Creative Tips for Storytelling Photography

Storytelling photography isn’t easy. Stories aren’t easily told with still images, especially when they are on their own. But if you follow our tips, you’ll become a master storyteller in no time.

1. Know Your Story

2. Think About the Style of Photography

3. Develop Character Using Costumes and Props

4. Harness Symbolism in Your Images

5. Use Colors to Enhance Your Storytelling

6. Structure Your Narrative

7. Use Composition To Drive The Story

8. Directing Your Subjects

If you want to flex your creative muscles as a photographer, you won’t find a better exercise than storytelling photography. The scope for creating original stories with expressive and imaginative images is huge. You can experiment with different types of photography. And you can tell stories in different kinds of ways. We hope these tips for creative storytelling in photography have helped to ignite your imagination. Explore your mind and start telling your own stories with photography. If you want to try creating magical narrative images, check out our Magical Photography Spellbook .

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What is a Good Narrative Photo Essay?

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Early photographers quickly realized that an image could be worth 1,000 words - and in some cases many more. Words evoke a largely intellectual response from those who read them, but images can produce intense emotional reactions. A good photojournalist harnesses this potential to confront viewers with the reality of pain, injustice or whatever his or her story incorporates. Indeed a successful and factual photo essay has the potential to bring about social change, provoke lawmakers in to changing laws, and even end wars.

An effective and successful essay produces an emotional reaction in the majority of viewers. It may cause them to laugh, feel sad, angry or even walk away in tears. Such reactions are evidence of an author's success. Viewers who walk away unmoved feed back a much less positive message about the success of the work. The best photo essays, like good books and music, tend to stand the test of time. They are still around after countless years, often because the message they convey continues to be relevant even though the events portrayed have long since passed in to history.

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Photo Essay

Photo essay generator.

We all know that photographs tell a story. These still images may be seen from various perspectives and are interpreted in different ways. Oftentimes, photographers like to give dramatic meaning to various scenarios. For instance, a blooming flower signifies a new life. Photographs always hold a deeper meaning than what they actually are.

In essay writing , photographs along with its supporting texts, play a significant role in conveying a message. Here are some examples of these kinds of photo-text combinations.

What is Photo Essay? A photo essay is a visual storytelling method that utilizes a sequence of carefully curated photographs to convey a narrative, explore a theme, or evoke specific emotions. It goes beyond individual images, aiming to tell a cohesive and impactful story through the arrangement and combination of pictures.

Photo Essay Format

A photo essay is a series of photographs that are intended to tell a story or evoke a series of emotions in the viewer. It is a powerful way to convey messages without the need for many words. Here is a format to guide you in creating an effective photo essay:

1. Choose a Compelling Topic

Select a subject that you are passionate about or that you find intriguing. Ensure the topic has a clear narrative that can be expressed visually.

2. Plan Your Shots

Outline the story you wish to tell. This could involve a beginning, middle, and end or a thematic approach. Decide on the types of shots you need (e.g., wide shots, close-ups, portraits, action shots) to best tell the story.

3. Take Your Photographs

Capture a variety of images to have a wide selection when editing your essay. Focus on images that convey emotion, tell a story, or highlight your theme.

4. Edit Your Photos

Select the strongest images that best convey your message or story. Edit for consistency in style, color, and lighting to ensure the essay flows smoothly.

5. Arrange Your Photos

Order your images in a way that makes sense narratively or thematically. Consider transitions between photos to ensure they lead the viewer naturally through the story.

6. Include Captions or Text (Optional)

Write captions to provide context, add depth, or explain the significance of each photo. Keep text concise and impactful, letting the images remain the focus.

7. Present Your Photo Essay

Choose a platform for presentation, whether online, in a gallery, or as a printed booklet. Consider the layout and design, ensuring that it complements and enhances the visual narrative.

8. Conclude with Impact

End with a strong image or a conclusion that encapsulates the essence of your essay. Leave the viewer with something to ponder , reflecting on the message or emotions you aimed to convey.

Best Photo Essay Example?

One notable example of a powerful photo essay is “The Photographic Essay: Paul Fusco’s ‘RFK Funeral Train'” by Paul Fusco. This photo essay captures the emotional journey of the train carrying the body of Robert F. Kennedy from New York to Washington, D.C., after his assassination in 1968. Fusco’s images beautifully and poignantly document the mourning and respect shown by people along the train route. The series is a moving portrayal of grief, unity, and the impact of a historical moment on the lives of ordinary individuals. The photographs are both artistically compelling and deeply human, making it a notable example of the potential for photo essays to convey complex emotions and historical narratives.

Photo Essay Examples and Ideas to Edit & Download

• A Day in the Life Photo Essay
• Behind the scenes Photo Essay
• Event Photo Essay
• Photo Essay on Meal
• Photo Essay on Photo walking
• Photo Essay on Protest
• Photo Essay on Abandoned building
• Education photo essay
• Photo Essay on Events
• Follow the change Photo Essay
• Photo Essay on Personal experiences

Photo Essay Examples & Templates

1. narrative photo essay format example.

nytimes.com

2. Student Photo Essay Example

3. Great Depression Essay Example

thshistory.files.wordpress.com

4. Example of Photo Essay

weresearchit.co.uk

5. Photo Essay Examples About Nature

cge-media-library.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com

6. Travel Photo Example

theguardian.com

7. Free Photo Essay Example

vasantvalley.org

Most Interesting Photo Essays of 2019

Now that you are educated with the fundamentals of photo essays, why not lay eyes on some great photo essays for inspiration. To give you a glimpse of a few epitomes, we collected the best and fascinating photo essays for you. The handpicked samples are as follows:

8. Toys and Us

journals.openedition.org

This photo essay presents its subject which is the latest genre of photography, toy photography. In this type of picture taking, the photographer aims to give life on the toys and treat them as his/her model. This photography follows the idea of a toy researcher, Katrina Heljakka, who states that also adults and not only children are interested in reimagining and preserving the characters of their toys with the means of roleplay and creating a story about these toys. This photo essay is based on the self-reflection of the author on a friend’s toys in their home environment.

9. The Faces of Nature Example

godandnature.asa3.org

This photo essay and collection caters the creativity of the author’s mind in seeing the world. In her composition, she justified that there are millions of faces that are naturally made that some of us have not noticed. She also presented tons of photos showing different natural objects that form patterns of faces. Though it was not mentioned in the essay itself, the author has unconsciously showcased the psychological phenomenon, pareidolia. This is the tendency to translate an obscure stimulus that let the observer see faces in inanimate objects or abstract patterns, or even hearing concealed messages in music.

10. The Country Doctor Example

us1.campaign-archive.com

This photo essay depicts the medical hardships in a small rural town in Colorado called Kremling. For 23 days, Smith shadowed Dr. Ernest Ceriani, witnessing the dramatic life of the small town and capturing the woeful crisis of the region. The picture in this photographic essay was photographed by Smith himself for Life magazine in 1948 but remained as fascinating as it was posted weeks ago.

11. New York City Coffeehouses

lens.blogs.nytimes.com

Café Latte, cappuccino, espresso, or flat white—of course, you know these if you have visited a coffee shop at least once. However, the photographer of this photo essay took it to a whole new level of experience. Within two to three days of visiting various coffee places, Mr. Gavrysh stayed most of his day observing at the finest details such as the source of the coffee, the procedure of delivering them, and the process of roasting and grounding them. He also watched how did the baristas perfect the drinks and the reaction of the customers as they received their ordered coffee with delights in their faces. Gavrysh did not mean to compose a coffeehouse guide, but to make a composition that describes modern, local places where coffee is sipped and treated with respect.

12. Hungry Planet: What The World Eats

13. Photo Essay Example

cah.utexas.edu

14. Photo Essay in PDF

condor.depaul.edu

15. Sample Photo Essay Example

colorado.edu

16. Basic Photo Essay Example

adaptation-undp.org

17. Printable Photo Essay Example

One of the basic necessity of a person to live according to his/her will is food. In this photo essay, you will see how these necessities vary in several ways. In 2005, a pair of Peter Menzel and Faith D’ Aluisio released a book that showcased the meals of an average family in 24 countries. Ecuador, south-central Mali, China, Mexico, Kuwait, Norway, and Greenland are among the nations they visited.  This photo essay is written to raise awareness about the influence of environment and culture to the cost and calories of the foods laid on the various dining tables across the globe.

Photo essays are not just about photographic aesthetics but also the stories that authors built behind those pictures. In this collection of captivating photo essays, reflect on how to write your own. If you are allured and still can’t get enough, there’s no need for you to be frantic about. Besides, there are thousands of samples and templates on our website to browse. Visit us to check them all out.

What are good topics for a photo essay?

• Urban Exploration: Document the unique architecture, street life, and cultural diversity of urban environments.
• Environmental Conservation: Capture the beauty of natural landscapes or document environmental issues, showcasing the impact of climate change or conservation efforts.
• Everyday Life in Your Community: Showcase the daily lives, traditions, and activities of people in your local community.
• Family Traditions: Document the customs, rituals, and special moments within your own family or another family.
• Youth Culture: Explore the lifestyle, challenges, and aspirations of young people in your community or around the world.
• Behind-the-Scenes at an Event: Provide a backstage look at the preparation and execution of an event, such as a concert, festival, or sports competition.
• A Day in the Life of a Profession: Follow a professional in their daily activities, offering insights into their work, challenges, and routines.
• Social Issues: Address important social issues like homelessness, poverty, immigration, or healthcare, raising awareness through visual storytelling.
• Cultural Celebrations: Document cultural festivals, ceremonies, or celebrations that showcase the diversity of traditions in your region or beyond.
• Education Around the World: Explore the various facets of education globally, from classrooms to the challenges students face in different cultures.
• Workplace Dynamics: Capture the atmosphere, interactions, and diversity within different workplaces or industries.
• Street Art and Graffiti: Document the vibrant and dynamic world of street art, capturing the expressions of local artists.
• Animal Rescues or Shelters: Focus on the efforts of organizations or individuals dedicated to rescuing and caring for animals.
• Migration Stories: Explore the experiences and challenges of individuals or communities affected by migration.
• Global Food Culture: Document the diversity of food cultures, from local markets to family meals, showcasing the role of food in different societies.

How to Write a Photo Essay

First of all, you would need to find a topic that you are interested in. With this, you can conduct thorough research on the topic that goes beyond what is common. This would mean that it would be necessary to look for facts that not a lot of people know about. Not only will this make your essay interesting, but this may also help you capture the necessary elements for your images.

Remember, the ability to manipulate the emotions of your audience will allow you to build a strong connection with them. Knowing this, you need to plan out your shots. With the different emotions and concepts in mind, your images should tell a story along with the essay outline .

1. Choose Your Topic

• Select a compelling subject that interests you and can be explored visually.
• Consider the story or message you want to convey. It should be something that can be expressed through images.

2. Plan Your Essay

• Outline your narrative. Decide if your photo essay will tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end, or if it will explore a theme or concept.
• Research your subject if necessary, especially if you’re covering a complex or unfamiliar topic.

3. Capture Your Images

• Take a variety of photos. Include wide shots to establish the setting, close-ups to show details, and medium shots to focus on subjects.
• Consider different angles and perspectives to add depth and interest to your essay.
• Shoot more than you need. Having a large selection of images to choose from will make the editing process easier.

4. Select Your Images

• Choose photos that best tell your story or convey your theme.
• Look for images that evoke emotion or provoke thought.
• Ensure there’s a mix of compositions to keep the viewer engaged.
• Sequence your images in a way that makes narrative or thematic sense.
• Consider the flow and how each image transitions to the next.
• Use juxtaposition to highlight contrasts or similarities.

6. Add Captions or Text (Optional)

• Write captions to provide context or additional information about each photo. Keep them brief and impactful.
• Consider including an introduction or conclusion to frame your essay. This can be helpful in setting the stage or offering a final reflection.

7. Edit and Refine

• Review the sequence of your photos. Make sure they flow smoothly and clearly convey your intended story or theme.
• Adjust the layout as needed, ensuring that the visual arrangement is aesthetically pleasing and supports the narrative.

8. Share Your Essay

• Choose the right platform for your photo essay, whether it’s a blog, online publication, exhibition, or print.
• Consider your audience and tailor the presentation of your essay to suit their preferences and expectations.

Types of Photo Essay

Photo essays are a compelling medium to tell a story, convey emotions, or present a perspective through a series of photographs. Understanding the different types of photo essays can help photographers and storytellers choose the best approach for their project. Here are the main types of photo essays:

1. Narrative Photo Essays

• Purpose: To tell a story or narrate an event in a chronological sequence.
• Characteristics: Follows a clear storyline with a beginning, middle, and end. It often includes characters, a setting, and a plot.
• Examples: A day in the life of a firefighter, the process of crafting traditional pottery.

2. Thematic Photo Essays

• Purpose: To explore a specific theme, concept, or issue without being bound to a chronological sequence.
• Characteristics: Centers around a unified theme, with each photo contributing to the overall concept.
• Examples: The impact of urbanization on the environment, the beauty of natural landscapes.

3. Conceptual Photo Essays

• Purpose: To convey an idea or evoke a series of emotions through abstract or metaphorical images.
• Characteristics: Focuses on delivering a conceptual message or emotional response, often using symbolism.
• Examples: Loneliness in the digital age, the concept of freedom.

4. Expository or Informative Photo Essays

• Purpose: To inform or educate the viewer about a subject with a neutral viewpoint.
• Characteristics: Presents factual information on a topic, often accompanied by captions or brief texts to provide context.
• Examples: The process of coffee production, a day at an animal rescue center.

5. Persuasive Photo Essays

• Purpose: To convince the viewer of a particular viewpoint or to highlight social issues.
• Characteristics: Designed to persuade or elicit action, these essays may focus on social, environmental, or political issues.
• Examples: The effects of plastic pollution, the importance of historical preservation.

6. Personal Photo Essays

• Purpose: To express the photographer’s personal experiences, emotions, or journeys.
• Characteristics: Highly subjective and personal, often reflecting the photographer’s intimate feelings or experiences.
• Examples: A personal journey through grief, documenting one’s own home during quarantine.

7. Environmental Photo Essays

• Purpose: To showcase landscapes, wildlife, and environmental issues.
• Characteristics: Focuses on the natural world or environmental challenges, aiming to raise awareness or appreciation.
• Examples: The melting ice caps, wildlife in urban settings.

8. Travel Photo Essays

• Purpose: To explore and present the culture, landscapes, people, and experiences of different places.
• Characteristics: Captures the essence of a location, showcasing its uniqueness and the experiences of traveling.
• Examples: A road trip across the American Southwest, the vibrant streets of a bustling city.

How do you start a picture essay?

1. choose a compelling theme or topic:.

Select a theme or topic that resonates with you and has visual storytelling potential. It could be a personal project, an exploration of a social issue, or a visual journey through a specific place or event.

2. Research and Conceptualize:

Conduct research on your chosen theme to understand its nuances, context, and potential visual elements. Develop a conceptual framework for your photo essay, outlining the key aspects you want to capture.

3. Define Your Storytelling Approach:

Determine how you want to convey your narrative. Consider whether your photo essay will follow a chronological sequence, a thematic structure, or a more abstract and conceptual approach.

4. Create a Shot List:

Develop a list of specific shots you want to include in your essay. This can help guide your photography and ensure you capture a diverse range of images that contribute to your overall narrative.

5. Plan the Introduction:

Think about how you want to introduce your photo essay. The first image or series of images should grab the viewer’s attention and set the tone for the narrative.

6. Consider the Flow:

Plan the flow of your photo essay, ensuring a logical progression of images that tells a cohesive and engaging story. Consider the emotional impact and visual variety as you sequence your photographs.

7. Shoot with Purpose:

Start capturing images with your conceptual framework in mind. Focus on images that align with your theme and contribute to the overall narrative. Look for moments that convey emotion, tell a story, or reveal aspects of your chosen subject.

8. Experiment with Perspectives and Techniques:

Explore different perspectives, compositions, and photographic techniques to add visual interest and depth to your essay. Consider using a variety of shots, including wide-angle, close-ups, and detail shots.

9. Write Descriptive Captions:

As you capture images, think about the accompanying captions. Captions should provide context, additional information, or insights that enhance the viewer’s understanding of each photograph.

What are the key elements of a photo essay?

1. Theme or Topic:

Clearly defined subject matter or theme that unifies the photographs and tells a cohesive story.

2. Narrative Structure:

An intentional narrative structure that guides the viewer through the photo essay, whether chronological, thematic, or conceptual.

3. Introduction:

A strong introduction that captures the viewer’s attention and sets the tone for the photo essay.

4. Captivating Images:

A series of high-quality and visually compelling images that effectively convey the chosen theme or story.

5. Variety of Shots:

A variety of shots, including wide-angle, close-ups, detail shots, and different perspectives, to add visual interest and depth.

6. Sequencing:

Careful sequencing of images to create a logical flow and emotional impact, guiding the viewer through the narrative.

7. Captions and Text:

Thoughtful captions or accompanying text that provide context, additional information, or insights, enhancing the viewer’s understanding.

8. Conclusion:

A concluding section that brings the photo essay to a satisfying close, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer.

Purpose of a Photo Essay

With good writing skills , a person is able to tell a story through words. However, adding images for your essay will give it the dramatic effect it needs. The photographs and the text work hand in hand to create something compelling enough to attract an audience.

This connection goes beyond something visual, as photo essays are also able to connect with an audience emotionally. This is to create an essay that is effective enough to relay a given message.

5 Tips for Creating a Photo Essay

• Don’t be afraid to experiment. Find the right angle and be dramatic with your description, just be creative.
• Pay attention to detail. Chances are, your audience will notice every single detail of your photograph.
• Shoot everything. Behind a single beautiful photo is a hundred more shots.
• Don’t think twice about editing. Editing is where the magic happens. It has the ability to add more drama to your images.
• Have fun. Don’t stress yourself out too much but instead, grow from your experience.

What is a photo essay for school?

A school photo essay is a visual storytelling project for educational purposes, typically assigned to students. It involves creating a narrative using a series of carefully curated photographs on a chosen theme.

How many pictures should be in a photo essay?

The number of pictures in a photo essay varies based on the chosen theme and narrative structure. It can range from a few impactful images to a more extensive series, typically around 10-20 photographs.

Is a photo essay a story?

Yes, a photo essay is a visual storytelling form. It uses a series of carefully curated photographs to convey a narrative, evoke emotions, or communicate a specific message or theme.

What makes a photo essay unforgettable?

An unforgettable photo essay is characterized by a powerful theme, emotionally resonant images, a well-crafted narrative structure, attention to detail, and a connection that leaves a lasting impact on viewers.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Create a Photo Essay on the theme of urban exploration.

Discuss the story of a local community event through a Photo Essay.

Chris Daniel

• April 28, 2022
• No Comments
• Photography

Narrative Photography Ideas: 10+ Tips and Examples

People love telling stories through photography. Whether on the printed page or on the internet, a narrative can be formed using pictures. Through this, photographers can portray the emotions that their subject has inspired or share their own stories uniquely and effectively. With so many types of photography out there, many ideas and practical examples can help you start creating your masterpiece.

What is narrative photography?

A narrative photograph is a picture that tells a story. These  kinds of photography  leave an impression on the viewer because they convey an emotion or a message. In other words, they have a deeper meaning that you can interpret once you see them. 

This kind of photography had existed for hundreds of years, long before digital cameras or even film cameras made it to the market. It is just taking pictures and telling stories through them. This article showcased some of the best creative ways to create narrative photography ideas – from basic storytelling techniques to striking visuals and unique approaches.

This article has collected several tips and examples to help you take your photography to the next level. If you like this article, you can share it on your social networks. We would love to hear what you think about it or if you think that other exciting ideas could be included in a future article.

1. Appreciate the power of storytelling in photography

When you take a picture, it is not actually about taking a photo. In fact, what you are doing is more like writing a story. That’s why there exists such a thing as narrative photography, which is just as effective as any other format and carries the same emotional punch.

The best way to start creating a narrative is to understand the importance of storytelling in photography. There are no rules in this creative process, but everything starts with a meaningful shot. 

Therefore, make sure that you approach your subjects with compassion and respect by giving them your undivided attention and making them feel comfortable. Use the best tools for framing and composing your shots to achieve the desired effect and help your subjects express themselves.

2. Go for a full-frame shot

Despite modern technologies and the fact that we can snap from our mobile phones pretty much anywhere on the planet, choosing the right frame can be troublesome. However, when you are creating your narrative photography ideas, try to avoid shooting in a square aspect. Instead, go for a full-frame shape or, even better – an ultra-wide one to make room for cropping later.

The main advantage of using this approach is leaving the whole image to tell your story. You can also use the possibilities given by different lenses (zoom, for instance) and props. The main thing is not to cut out anything important from your shot; otherwise, the whole idea behind it will lose its meaning.

3. Select a meaningful location

After deciding on your narrative photography ideas, you might be tempted to go out and take as many shots as possible. However, it is better to do some proper planning and select the best location for your story. 

The location can be used as a metaphor and help you interestingly tell your story. It is also important because it provides an essential part of your image for framing and composing.

The best location for a photo is the one where you feel comfortable, but it does not have to be your home or current place of residence. For example, some people see the world from behind the camera lens, while others feel more at home in front of a computer screen.

Think about all the important elements for your scene, and then look for a place where you can include them all. 

For instance, if you want to photograph a couple who are celebrating an anniversary, you could take both on the beach and near an old boat to make it more atmospheric. 

The same situation could be recreated in a forest or your own backyard. Take into account your surroundings and the artistic possibilities that each location offers.

4. Keep it simple

When creating a narrative, the most important thing is not to make it too complicated. There are no rules for having a narrative, but it is always about the emotions you want to convey or the particular mood you want your viewers to feel. Therefore, don’t get creative with details, and make sure that your photographs can stand on their own.

When looking for locations, try to avoid busy areas such as public thoroughfares or busy parks. Instead, try to go to quiet places such as churchyards and parks.

If possible, avoid taking too many photos and edit them accordingly. A simplified approach will help you carry out the process much faster and allow you to add more detail later on.

5. Lose yourself in the moment

Always keep in mind that what matters is how your subject feels at that moment, not necessarily how you feel while taking the shot. In other words, try not to be too analytical. If you can capture an image without thinking about the technical aspects, it means that you’ve achieved your goal. 

The best way to achieve this is to disconnect your mind and lose yourself in that particular moment. If you are not comfortable with people, use animals or objects such as a tree or a monument. The main thing is to get into the zone.

When it comes to lenses, you can use any that you have in your bag, but some work better than others when it comes to creating a narrative. The most important thing is to zoom out and capture the full view of your scene with all its details and emotions.

If you want more drama and emotion, go for a wide angle that can capture the whole scene just like your eyes would do.

6. Choose a powerful portrait pose

Is your subject in a passive pose? If yes, consider changing it and using a more active one. Look for poses that are dynamic and look good from every side. A good example is an arm-cross pose, which can be used to show leadership or power. You can also use your hands to make a person look more natural. 

The fingers do not have to be visible, but you can still use them for composing. This rule applies to all the other gestures that you might use for your narrative photography ideas shot. Also, an ahead tilt is another gesture that helps you achieve the desired effect.

7. Let your subject breathe

When looking at the snaps, don’t forget that a good picture should convey a message, not just a snapshot. After seeing it, the viewer is often left with many questions, and this is exactly what you want to achieve with your narrative photography ideas. 

It would help avoid unnecessary clutter and include only important details to do this. The viewer can interpret what you want to communicate after seeing it.

For example, if too much is happening in the background, the viewer might be confused about what the subject actually does. Instead, try to focus on a single inner detail or, even more importantly – one important detail that your viewer can interpret.

8. Look for meaningful details

Ensure that your photograph has enough big and small details to give it a more complete look. You don’t have to squeeze every last detail in there but look for things that can be meaningful and important. 

Remember that too many details will make it challenging to find the main subject of your story. That’s not what you want, so try to limit yourself by only including the right ones.

This process is more important if you are trying to create a narrative with many people or objects in it. Keep in mind that having too many details can be very distracting. Also, if you want to add some more details, later on, it is better to shoot in HDR instead of taking multiple shots to create the intended effect.

When you are shooting in low light, such as indoors or in a very dark room, you need to experiment with new techniques, such as lighting. You can use artificial light sources such as flashlights and even portable lights that let you create a mood or an atmosphere. The most important thing is to use them carefully and not abuse them from one shot to another.

9. Don’t be afraid of composition

The composition of your shot is the most important element in storytelling through photography. It makes the result look good and interesting, whether you want to convey a particular meaning or emotion. 

Think about each scene you plan to shoot in detail, including how the main subject contrasts with other elements and how a particular light will affect it. 

It is important to know the principles of creating a good composition. There are some common rules that you can apply, such as keeping the background simple, leaving space for your subject, or using lines and edges to lead the viewer’s eye between items in the frame. You can also use color and light to create an overall feel for your number.

10. Adapt to changing weather conditions

Sometimes it’s hard to predict when will be the best time of day or weather conditions to take a photo of your subject. If you are shooting on an overcast day, you might find that the best time to shoot is just past the golden hour.

It is better to spend a little extra time than to be disappointed in the end and have too many blurry photos that don’t look sharp. If you don’t know when the weather will change, it is better to have a Plan B ready for all kinds of weather conditions. 

It would help if you also kept in mind that there will be fewer shadows when it’s sunny outside than on an overcast day. A sunny day might not be the best choice for a complicated narrative shot, especially if you are trying to convey shadows and emotions.

What is narrative style photography?

Narrative photography is a technique that is used to create an image that has more meaning and purpose. For example, you can try to tell a story through a single shot or even multiple ones. The narrative style is mainly used to convey emotions and ideas, and the main goal is to have a story that makes sense and has a beginning, middle, and end.

How do you do narrative photography?

When planning to create a narrative image, there are specific rules that you should follow. The main thing to consider is what you want to convey and how you can show it through a single picture. It is best to have a lot of details and information in an image in your mind, but not all of them need to be included.

What makes a good story in photography?

Every good narrative photo needs to make the viewer ask questions and think about what is going on. It takes a lot of time and effort to create a good story, but you will get something with real value in the end. The best examples are street photos that often leave you wondering what’s actually going on in them.

What is photography storytelling?

Photography is a form of artistic expression where an image is created to convey a story. Photography storytelling aims to create photos that tell a story and often convey emotions or ideas. The idea behind photography storytelling is to have a story that makes sense and has a beginning, middle, and end, whether you want to tell a short story or create a single impressionistic photo.

Narrative photography ideas can be a lot of fun to make. Remember that you don’t have to follow set rules when shooting for this kind of photography. Always remember the most important thing – let your creativity fly and try to let yourself go in that particular moment. 

If you follow these steps, you will be able to create visual stories that will make your viewers want to come back for more. 

We hope that you found this helpful article for your next photoshoot. Do not hesitate to share your thoughts in the comment section below if you enjoyed it. Also, make sure to read our other articles on  45 Easy and Cute Baby Photoshoot Ideas 2022 .

Your comments are very valuable to us, so let us know if you have something in mind that we might have missed here!

You may also read:

1. Excellent Ideas For Shoe Photography: Exposure Guide in 2022 2. 10 Essential Tools For Photography That Every Photographer Needs 3. 21 Unique But Easy To Create Family Photoshoot Ideas in 2022

About the author:

Chris Daniel is a very unique, professional, and informative website/blog writer. His biography page features various types of photography strategies in the USA. Keep an eye on his blog that contains a lot of creative details that draw with keep attention.

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