essay about importance of photography

Essays About Photography: Top 5 Examples Plus Prompts

Discover the joy of photography by reading our guide on how to write essays about photography, including top essay examples and writing prompts. 

It is truly remarkable what pictures can tell you about the time they were taken and their subjects. For example, a well-taken photograph can expose the horrors of conflict in a war-torn country or the pain endured by victims of racial persecution. At the same time, it can also evoke a mother’s joy after seeing her newborn baby for the first time. Photography is crucial to preserving precious moments that deserve to be remembered.

Photography can be considered a form of art. So much intent is put into a picture’s composition, subject, angle, and lighting. There is a lot of talent, thought, and hard work that goes into photography to produce such thought-provoking images, 

If you are writing essays about photography, you can start by reading some examples. 

5 Essay Examples To Inspire You

1. why photography is a great hobby by lillie lane, 2. the importance of photography by emily holty, 3. why i love photography by bob locher.

• 4.  The Shocking History Of Death Photography by Yewande Ade
• 5. ​​Fashion photography by Sara Page

5 Helpful Prompts On Essays About Photography

1. what is your favorite thing to photograph, 2. why is photography so important, 3. should photography be considered an art form, 4. different types of photography, 5. interpretations of photographs.

“Be imaginative when writing your shots. Photography is about the impact of your chances. The odds are good that nobody will care to check over your picture When it is an item in a background. Discover how to produce a fantastic photograph, and take these skills and use them.”

Lane gives readers tips on taking better photos in this essay. These include keeping balance, choosing a subject widely, investing in certain pieces of equipment, and using the appropriate settings for taking pictures. She stresses that photos must appear as natural as possible, and following her advice may help people to get good pictures. 

“No matter where you go photography plays into your life somehow. We don’t realize how big of an impact photography truly has on us until we see the details of our life hidden in a photograph. When you flip through your photo album and start looking for those details you suddenly realize you are truly blessed. A photograph keeps a moment frozen in time so we have it forever. Something like joy becomes clearer as we look deeper into the photograph.”

Holty does an excellent job of describing what makes photography so appealing to many people. You can take a picture of anything you want if you want to remember it, and photos help us look at the intricacies and details of what we see around us every day. Photography also helps us keep memories in our heads and hearts as time passes by, and most of all, it allows us to document the greatness of our world. It is ever-present in our lives, and we will keep taking photos the more adventures we have. 

“Every day in normal circumstances people take thousands of pictures of the Grand Canyon. It takes very little thought to realize that few if any of these pictures will be in any way noteworthy above pictures already taken. But that said, they are OUR pictures, our personal affirmation of the wonderful scene stretched out below us, and that gives them a special validity for us.”

Locher reflects on the role photography played in his life and why he enjoys it so much, partly due to his spirituality. He previously worked in the photographic equipment business and rekindled his love for photography in his 60s. Photography, to him, is a way of affirming and acknowledging God’s creations around him and appreciating the natural world. He also briefly discusses the importance of equipment and post-editing; however, no photo is perfect. 

4.   The Shocking History Of Death Photography by Yewande Ade

“In fact, it was easier for the photographer if the dead person was in a sleeping position because there would be no need to put him or her in an appropriate position or prop the eyes open. The restful pose gave some families comfort because it made them believe that their loved one(s) had passed on happily and to a more peaceful realm. It gave the semblance of death as a painless act like sleep.”

An interesting phenomenon in the history of the camera is post-mortem photography, in which deceased people, usually children, were posed and made to look “alive,” to an extent, so their loved ones could remember them. This was done as a way of mourning; the subjects were made to look as if they were merely asleep to give their loved ones comfort that they had passed on peacefully and happily. Eventually, a reduction in the death rate led to the end of this practice. 

5. ​​ Fashion photography by Sara Page

“Modern fashion photography differs because photographers aim to be extraordinary with their work, they know that extra ordinary will interest the audience much more It is extremely evident that fashion photography has changed and developed throughout the years, however there is not just reason. It is clear that fashion photography has changed and developed because of advancements in technology, change in attitudes and the introduction of celebrities.”

Page’s essay focuses on the history of fashion photography and some techniques used in practice. It dated back to 1911 and astonished the public with glamorous photos of people wearing perfectly-styled outfits. As the years have gone on, photographers have taken the lighting of the photos more into account, as well as their settings. In addition, editing software such as Photoshop has allowed even better photos to be produced. Fashion photography has only become more extravagant with the current social culture. 

In your essay, write about your favorite subject when you take pictures- is it people, landscapes, objects, or something else? Explain why, give examples, and perhaps elaborate on your camera settings or the lighting you look for when taking photos.  

Photography is an important invention that has helped us immensely throughout the years- how exactly? Explain why photography rivals painting and why it is essential. Then, write about its importance to you, the entire world, and humanity. 

Some say photography pales compared to the intricacies of music, painting, sculpture, and even cinema and should not be considered a form of art. For an interesting argumentative essay, determine whether photography is genuine art or not and defend your position. Explore both sides of the topic and give a strong rebuttal against the opposing viewpoint. 

From street photography to food photography to portraiture, many different types of photography are classified according to the subject being captured. Write about at least three types of photography that interest you and what they entail. You may also discuss some similarities between them if any. Check out our list of the top CreativeLive photography courses .

Like other works of art, a photograph can be interpreted differently. Choose a photo you find exciting and describe how you feel about it. What is being portrayed? What emotions are being evoked? What did the photographer want to show here? Reflect on your chosen work and perhaps connect it with your personal life. 

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers . If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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Home » All articles » The Role of Photography in Society: A Look at the Power of Visual Storytelling

The Role of Photography in Society: A Look at the Power of Visual Storytelling

In today’s visually-driven world, photography has emerged as a powerful tool for storytelling, capturing moments, and conveying emotions. From photojournalism to social media, the impact of photography on society is undeniable. In this blog post, we will explore the role of photography in society, delving into its ability to inform, inspire, and create connections. Join us as we delve into the power of visual storytelling and how photography continues to shape our understanding of the world around us.

Table of Contents

The Historical Significance of Photography in Society

Photography has played a pivotal role in shaping society’s understanding of the world and documenting important moments throughout history. Through the power of visual storytelling, it has become a medium that captures emotions, conveys narratives, and preserves memories for future generations.

Preserving History in Frames

Photography allows us to freeze a moment in time and encapsulate the essence of an event or place. Through photographs, we gain a tangible connection to the past and are able to visually experience historical moments that would otherwise be lost. These images have the ability to evoke emotions and provoke conversations, making them significant tools for studying history.

Shaping Public Opinion

Photographs have the power to shape public opinion and provoke social change. Iconic images such as the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph “Napalm Girl,” that depicts a young girl fleeing a napalm attack during the Vietnam War, helped raise awareness and change public sentiment about the conflict. By capturing the atrocities of war, photography can influence public opinion and fuel movements for justice and peace.

Documenting Social Progress

Photography has been instrumental in documenting social progress and bringing attention to important social issues. Through visual storytelling, photographers have exposed the hardships faced by marginalized communities, sparking conversations about inequality, injustice, and discrimination. From images capturing the Civil Rights Movement to the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, photography has shed light on the struggles and triumphs of marginalized groups and influenced societal change.

Expanding Cultural Knowledge

Photography brings different cultures and ways of life closer to us. By capturing diverse traditions, rituals, and landscapes, it broadens our understanding of the world and cultivates cultural empathy. Photographs allow us to travel through time and space, connecting us with people and places we may never encounter in person. Through photography, cultural barriers are broken, facilitating cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

Personal Expression and Connection

In addition to its societal impact, photography serves as a medium for personal expression and connection. It allows individuals to tell their own stories and share their unique perspectives with others. Through photography, we can capture and express emotions, moments of joy or grief, and communicate our ideas and experiences to others. In a fast-paced world, photography provides a means to pause, reflect, and connect on an emotional level.

The historical significance of photography lies in its ability to preserve history, shape public opinion, document social progress, expand cultural knowledge, and facilitate personal expression and connection. By capturing and sharing visual narratives, photography has the power to impact society, fostering understanding, empathy, and change. Whether documenting historical events or personal experiences, photography continues to be an integral part of our human experience.

The Power of Visual Storytelling: The Evolution of Photography as a Medium in Society

Photography: a visual chronicle of human experience.

Photography has undergone an astounding evolution – from its humble beginnings as a mere scientific curiosity to becoming one of the most powerful mediums for visual storytelling in modern society. The development of photography has brought forth an array of opportunities for individuals and communities to communicate narratives, preserve memories, and document history.

The Emergence of Photography

In the early 19th century, photography emerged as a revolutionary invention. The pioneers of photography, such as Louis Daguerre and William Henry Fox Talbot, painstakingly mastered the techniques of capturing and fixing images. Their innovative ideas led to the birth of the daguerreotype and calotype processes – the precursors to modern photography.

Photography as Witness to History

As photography progressed, it quickly assumed the role of an unbiased witness to history. Photographs became invaluable tools for documenting significant events, capturing truthful moments that would otherwise fade from recollection. From the first photograph taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826 to the haunting images of war by renowned photographers like Robert Capa, photography has helped shape our collective memory and understanding of crucial historical moments.

Photography as a Form of Expression

Beyond its role in documenting history, photography has emerged as a powerful form of artistic expression. Photographers employ composition, lighting, and perspective to convey emotions, provoke thoughts, and ignite discussions. Through their carefully crafted images, they tell stories that transcend language barriers, making photography a universal language of human experiences.

Photography in the Age of the Internet

The advent of the internet and social media platforms has further catalyzed the evolution of photography. Online spaces serve as platforms for photographers to share their work with global audiences, amplifying their impact. With just a click, anyone can become a visual storyteller – capturing moments, sharing narratives, and engaging with communities across the globe.

The Social Impact of Visual Storytelling

Photography plays a pivotal role in society, as it promotes empathy, raises awareness, and drives social change. Powerful visual narratives can influence public opinion and shape attitudes towards pressing issues such as climate change, social inequality, and human rights. By presenting compelling images that reveal truth and evoke emotions, photographers inspire viewers to take action and become agents of positive change.

The Future of Visual Storytelling

As technology advances, photography will continue to evolve as a medium of visual storytelling. Innovations such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence present new avenues for photographers to push boundaries and create immersive experiences that transport viewers into unseen realities.

In conclusion, the evolution of photography from its humble beginnings to its current state as a powerful medium of visual storytelling has had a profound impact on society. Photography serves as a chronicler of human experiences, a catalyst for change, and a universal language that transcends barriers. In a world increasingly driven by visual content, the power of photography as a storytelling tool will only continue to grow, connecting individuals, communities, and generations through the shared language of imagery.

Influence of Photography on Social and Cultural Movements

The power of visual storytelling.

Photography has had a profound impact on social and cultural movements throughout history, playing a crucial role in shaping our understanding of society and the world at large. The medium’s ability to capture and convey powerful visuals has allowed it to become a catalyst for change and a tool for social commentary.

Capturing the Essence of Society

Through the lens, photographers have been able to document and immortalize moments that reflect the reality of society. These images have the power to evoke emotions and connect with viewers on a deep, personal level. Whether it’s a photograph of a war-torn landscape or an intimate portrait of everyday life, photography has the power to challenge the way we see the world.

Changing Perceptions

Photography has the ability to challenge preconceived notions and challenge the status quo. By capturing images that go against the grain, photographers can shed light on marginalized communities and bring attention to social issues that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Through their work, they can create a platform for dialogue and inspire action.

Amplifying Voices

Photography has the unique ability to amplify the voices of those who may not have had a platform otherwise. By sharing their stories through visual narratives, photographers can draw attention to the struggles and triumphs of underrepresented communities, giving them a voice and empowering them to advocate for change.

Shaping History

Photographs have the power to become iconic, representing a specific moment in time that has had a lasting impact on society. From the iconic image of a soldier during World War II to the haunting photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, these visuals have become symbols of historical significance and have played a crucial role in shaping our collective memory.

Breaking Boundaries

Photography has the ability to transcend language and cultural barriers. A single photograph has the power to communicate a universal message that can be understood by people from all walks of life. This universal language allows photography to connect people from different backgrounds, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding.

A Catalyst for Change

Throughout history, photography has been at the forefront of social and cultural movements. From the early documentary photography of Jacob Riis to the powerful images of the Black Lives Matter movement, photographers have used their craft to document injustice and inspire change. By shining a light on the issues that matter most, they encourage society to confront uncomfortable truths and work towards a more equitable future.

In conclusion, photography is a powerful form of visual storytelling that has the ability to influence social and cultural movements. Its ability to capture and convey emotions, challenge perceptions, amplify voices, shape history, break boundaries, and act as a catalyst for change has made it an essential tool for photographers looking to make an impact on society. Through their lens, photographers have the power to shape the narrative and inspire action, making photography a crucial component in our understanding of the world around us.

Ethical Considerations in Photography and its Impact on Society

Photography has always played a crucial role in shaping our society. It has the power to capture moments, evoke emotions, and tell powerful stories. However, with this power, there also comes great ethical responsibility.

Photographers have a significant impact on society, often influencing public opinion, shaping narratives, and highlighting crucial issues. The images they capture can shine a spotlight on social injustices, spark conversations, and bring about positive change. But these actions can also raise questions about the ethical considerations surrounding photography.

One of the most critical ethical concerns in photography is informed consent. When photographing people or private property, it is necessary to obtain consent from the individuals involved. Respecting their autonomy and privacy is crucial to avoid exploiting or violating their rights.

Another ethical issue is the selective representation of people, places, and events. Photographers have the power to manipulate reality by choosing which moments to capture and which to exclude. This ability can shape public perception and reinforce stereotypes. It is essential for photographers to be conscious of their biases and strive for a balanced and accurate representation of the subjects they photograph.

Photographers must also consider the impact their work can have on vulnerable communities. Exploitative or sensationalistic photography can perpetuate harmful narratives, reinforcing stereotypes and perpetuating inequalities. It is vital to approach such subjects with sensitivity and empathy, taking into account the potential consequences of their work.

In the digital age, the rapid spread of images through social media platforms raises additional ethical concerns. Images can be easily manipulated, misused, or taken out of context, leading to misinformation and further perpetuating biases. Photographers must be responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their work, ensuring that it is not misinterpreted or misused.

Furthermore, photographers should also reflect on their own intentions and motivations. Are they driven by the desire for recognition or personal gain, or are they genuinely committed to raising awareness and promoting positive change? Ethical photography requires self-reflection and an ongoing commitment to questioning and improving one’s practice.

In conclusion, photography is a powerful tool for storytelling, but it also comes with ethical responsibilities. It is essential for photographers to obtain informed consent, represent subjects responsibly, consider the impact on vulnerable communities, and critically reflect on their own intentions. By doing so, photographers can contribute to a more ethical and impactful use of photography in society.

In conclusion, photography plays a crucial role in society by serving as a powerful medium of visual storytelling. Through its ability to capture and convey emotions, experiences, and perspectives, photography has the power to challenge societal norms, evoke empathy, and inspire change. Whether it is documenting historical events, highlighting social injustices, or simply capturing the beauty of the world, photography has the unique ability to transcend language and connect people from all walks of life. As we continue to navigate an increasingly visual and interconnected world, the role of photography in society will only continue to grow, reminding us of the power of images to shape our understanding of the world and spark meaningful conversations.

10 Reasons Why Photography Is Important

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Photography allows you to capture memories, stories, and different perspectives. Learn the reasons why photography is important.

The purpose of photography is to communicate and document moments in time.

A photo freezes a moment, which leads to a story of the person, environment , animal, or landscape.

Studies show that taking pictures improves your visual memory of an experience.

Aside from memory, photography can be educational. You can learn about history and document critical events.

The following covers the many reasons why photography is important.

1. Photos represent what’s important

Photography is personal. Pictures of meaningful memories, people, pets , and places fill your home and phone.

Every image adds up to create a story, which is the story of your life. It captures your experiences, passions, joys, and sadness.

Life has ups and downs, and your photos keep track of everything.

When you look back, you can walk through the memories in your mind. You can also share the pictures with others to enjoy.

Since photography is personal, you can learn a lot about others by looking at the photos they capture.

2. Photography teaches history through pictures

Many history books use pictures to enhance the learning experience.

While the words are helpful, photos add a visual dimension. Images have a more significant impact and help you keep information.

Without pictures, you couldn’t see how life was before the present time.

It also allows you to compare different things and identify changes. You can learn so much by looking at a photo.

3. Photography preserves special moments

The preservation of moments is a big reason why photography is important.

It could be a significant life moment, such as a wedding or the birth of a child . It can also be small moments in daily life.

When you document memories through images, you can cherish and preserve the moments.

You can look through the pictures anytime to remember the sweet moments.

You can also pass down the photos to future generations.

4. Photography encourages self-expression

Self-expression is essential. It’s about expressing yourself despite the expectations from others or society.

Photography is an excellent creative outlet to express yourself.

While there are so-called rules, such as the rule of thirds , you can break them.

Self-expression in photography could be through selfies or photos of things you like.

Researcher Judith Glaser says, “Neuroscience is teaching us that ‘self-expression’ might be one – if not the most important ways for people to connect, navigate and grow with each other.”

Aside from being good for you, it helps relationships.

Photography allows you to express yourself without boundaries.

5. Photography inspires you to live more

There are many things to enjoy in life, but time can slip away without you being present.

One of the best reasons why photography is important is that it inspires you to live more.

It can inspire you to travel, get new experiences, and be aware of the little things in life.

You can have new experiences by yourself or with friends and family.

It also makes you more present because you focus on composition and exposure for the image.

Photography can drive you to live a fulfilling life and take risks.

6. Photography helps you build connections

Photography can benefit your social life and help you make meaningful connections.

It can introduce you to plenty of like-minded people. You can make new friends, shoot photos together, and help others grow.

As a photographer with clients , you get to meet many different people.

The connections you make can go beyond the session. It can help your business or personal needs.

Another way photography helps you make connections is online.

Photos are essential for connecting with family that lives far away or online dating.

7. Photography is essential for science

Science uses photography to gather information, make observations, and learn.

In all areas of science, photography is essential. Examples include images of space from NASA, images of cells, and research on nature.

Photos provide the keys to scientific discoveries and advances.

Photos also make it easier for scientists to share research with the public.

8. Businesses use photography for marketing

Businesses rely on photography to sell products and services.

A business uses photos for marketing and product photos.

A crucial reason why photography is important is that it helps businesses make money.

The businesses provide jobs, and it helps the economy.

9. Photography doesn’t judge

Photography is a hobby anyone can do. Your age, race, and gender won’t limit you from enjoying the benefits of photography.

Also, you don’t need an expensive camera, as a phone camera works.

If you don’t have a camera or phone, then you can look at the world like a photographer. You can practice with your imagination until you get a camera.

You can take on photography at any stage of your life. It encourages you to learn and think creatively.

10. Photography can be your career

Your photography passion and skills can become your career.

One of the many benefits of photography includes the ability to make money.

While it has its ups and downs, like all businesses, it’s a good and fulfilling option.

The best part is that you can choose between portraits, weddings, landscapes, journalism, crime scene, and sports, to name a few.

The evolution of photography

Since the beginning of photography, the medium has changed and become more accessible.

Today, cameras are cheaper and faster. The internet also makes it easy to share photos with a global audience.

Online tutorials and guides have also made it easier for you to learn photography .

Throughout technological advances and changes, photography remains popular and meaningful.

The following covers a brief history of photography, its major changes, and important events.

Photography began in the 19th century

The beginnings of photography date back to the early 19th century . While it shocked the world, people quickly embraced it.

Initially, people were confused about its purpose or how photos should look.

It led to experimentation with different types of photos, textures, tones, and details.

Small cameras

After a lot of experimentation and improvements in technology, Kodak was invented. The Kodak was a small, handheld camera that made photography more accessible.

Instead of being something only the upper-class can have, it was now made available to the middle-class (Source: National Gallery of Art ).

Modern photojournalism

In 1925, modern photojournalism was born in Germany (Source: NDSU ). It was when the first 35mm the camera was invented, the Leica .

At that time, the people of Germany were being suppressed and persecuted, which led to many fleeing to America. Most of the photos being taken were of World War II for magazines and newspapers.

The 35mm was small and could take photos quickly. However, not all photographers used 35mm cameras. Some used the 120-format camera, which was usually a Rolleiflex.

Later, the 35mm film camera became more versatile as it was improved. It had the ability to use a telephoto, zoom, and wide-angle lens.

The Polaroid

In the mid-1900s, the Polaroid was invented by Edwin H. Land (Source: Nithin Kalorth, Ph.D. ). What made the Polaroid special was its ability to take a photo and print it within a minute.

Digital cameras

In 1975, the first digital camera was created by Eastman Kodak. Soon after, Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, and other manufacturers began working on digital cameras too.

At the end of the 20th century, newspapers and magazines shifted to digital (Source: HBS ). Around this time, manufacturers began working on mirrorless cameras, which have become popular among many photographers.

Smartphones

Aside from digital and mirrorless cameras, smartphones have become popular for photos.

With advances in technology, phone cameras have been able to capture incredible images and since they’re built into phones, many people don’t see the need to carry a separate camera.

Photography enriches human life. Pictures speak a universal language, as language is no barrier.

Whether it’s photojournalism or fine art photography, each type is essential.

Photography captures meaningful experiences, and you can see the world from different perspectives.

It inspires, challenges, educates, and brings people together.

Related : How to Transfer a Photo Onto Glass

Featured image courtesy of Unsplash .

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9 Reasons Why Photography Matters

Why does photography matter?

It’s a question that we all ask at one time or another. After all, why do we keep waking up at 4:00 AM to photograph the sunrise , when we could be warm and comfortable lying in bed? Why do we spend long hours tweaking our compositions and learning about photography fundamentals when we could be watching television or out with friends?

And some days, when we have no creativity at all and pressing the shutter button seems like the hardest thing in the world, we continue to persevere – but why? What is it about photography that’s so compelling?

What motivates us to keep going?

In this article, I’m going to share nine reasons why I think photography matters. Hopefully, these ideas will help you find clarity and motivation – and will encourage you to capture images, even when it feels like everything is pointless and you should put down the camera forever.

Let’s get started.

1. Photography helps us see the beauty in a complex world

Life isn’t always picture-perfect. Sometimes it’s chaotic, sometimes it’s overwhelming, and sometimes it’s just plain tough. But even amidst the clutter and the struggle, there are glimmers of beauty waiting to be found. That’s where your camera can be a transformative tool.

Photography trains your eye to search for those glimmers. When you look through the lens, you’re not just composing a shot; you’re actively seeking out the beauty in a world that desperately needs it. The petals on a rain-soaked flower, the warm hues of a sunset, or the joyful smile of a loved one all become focal points of wonder and appreciation.

Being able to capture that beauty serves a dual purpose. First, it provides a moment of solace, a brief escape from the turmoil around us. Second, it creates a lasting reminder that even when the world seems dark, there’s always light somewhere. Your photographs can be those beacons, encouraging you and others to find beauty even in the mundane.

So keep shooting, even when the world seems too complicated to handle. Your lens can act like a sieve, filtering out the ugliness and leaving only the beauty. In doing so, you’ll find that the world, despite its flaws, is still full of wonder that’s worth capturing, worth cherishing.

2. Our photographs tell us what is important to us

When you ask people what possessions they would rescue from their burning house, one of the most frequent answers is a photograph album or a computer with all their digital images.

Interesting, isn’t it? We would grab photos instead of valuable jewelry, even in moments of panic.

This impulse to save our recorded memories is a powerful force, one that tells us much about the role of photography in our lives – and speaks to our constant desire to distill our most precious moments into images.

We preserve the important events and people in our lives. The ceremonies of birth and birthdays, marriages and anniversaries, holidays and new houses are all recorded because they matter.

Photographs are a timeline of our lives filled with faces and places that we love. They are our story, which we can then share with others.

Ultimately, the thousands of images we take form a narrative of our lives.

3. Photography documents the world as it is

We live in a whirlwind. One moment you’re a kid playing in the yard, and the next, you’re an adult with responsibilities. The world doesn’t stop, not for a second. Ever noticed how quickly cars evolve, or how skylines change? It’s dizzying. But here’s where photography swoops in like a time-traveling superhero.

Capturing the world through a lens allows us to freeze moments in time. It’s not just about historical landmarks or world events; photography can document the little things too. Think about your childhood home, or the car you drove in college. Photos make them immortal, forever etched in the frame.

When you snap a picture of your family gathered around the dinner table, you’re doing more than creating a memento. You’re documenting a piece of life as it was at that exact moment. These snapshots become invaluable treasures, letting future generations peek into the world we once knew.

Photographs serve as visual textbooks, offering lessons about life, society, and the ever-changing world around us. They can reveal how fashion has evolved, or how a neighborhood has transformed over the decades. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s a record of human history on both grand and intimate scales.

I encourage you to wield your camera like a historian. Because when you capture that fleeting sunset or the laughter in someone’s eyes, you’re doing something profound. You’re documenting the world as it is, a world that will never quite be the same again.

4. Photographs are part of our legacy

I remember sitting on a train as it passed a playground where children were standing at attention for the annual school photograph. In the front row sat the teachers, and behind them, hundreds of children were neatly preened and uniformed. For the briefest second, the entire assembly was motionless. We passed just as the photographer clicked the shutter.

Then, as if in slow motion, the huge group scattered as children escaped their enforced immobility. The neat rows dissolved and broke down into individuals who were kicking balls or huddled with friends.

None of those children realized that the photograph was probably going to outlive them. A couple of generations later, the school photo might resurface among old papers in an attic, and someone would search for their grandfather among the fresh, young faces.

Photographs matter because they freeze moments of our lives that pass unremarkably and which seem to have little importance to us at the time. The significance of a photo might not even be ours – instead, it might be for others who search for the person we once were or the places we once knew.

Each photo can be a small piece of a jigsaw that completes the larger picture of our lives.

5. Photographs allow us to share and to communicate

Images are much more than a simple record. Photography speaks to the best and most generous part of our human nature – the desire to share what we find beautiful and interesting with others.

You only have to look at the multitude of photo-sharing sites to see this impulse at work, where millions of people share their personal, passionate, and sometimes quirky take on the world around them.

In other words, our images can share our lives with strangers. How powerful is that?

6. Photography makes us artists

Art isn’t limited to galleries and concert halls. In fact, you don’t need to be a traditional artist to create something awe-inspiring. That’s the magic of photography. With a camera in hand, anyone can be an artist.

Think of your lens as your paintbrush. The frame is your canvas, and light is your palette. You have the freedom to compose shots that evoke emotion, tell a story, or simply dazzle the eye. It’s an art form that’s accessible yet deeply personal, allowing you to project your vision onto the world.

We all have a unique way of seeing things. The way you frame a sunset, capture a smile, or even focus on a single raindrop can reveal your personality. Your perspective becomes your artistry, setting you apart in a sea of creators.

So, don’t underestimate the power of the photos you take. Whether you capture landscapes or portraits, whether you shoot in black and white or vibrant color, you’re making art. You’re transforming ordinary scenes into extraordinary visual narratives.

Take pride in your work. Display it, share it, celebrate it. You’re an artist, with your very own gallery at your fingertips. It’s time to recognize your photography for what it truly is: a form of art that you can excel in, one frame at a time.

7. Photography allows us to express ourselves

Our images can express joy and sorrow, wonder and sympathy. Every human emotion can find a place in photography.

For many years, I never valued my photographs of overcast landscapes, because I believed there was no beauty in a land with muted colors and a leaden sky. I wanted the land to be alive with color and vibrancy.

However, the lack of color in a landscape makes you search for other things that often go unnoticed in bright sunlight. This could be the symmetry of hills or a tree standing out from a forest of thousands.

To expand this further:

I have suffered from depression for most of my adult life, and photography gives me a language to express feelings for which I can find no words. We have a miserably poor vocabulary for mental illness, but photography has allowed me to develop a visual language for some of my most difficult emotions.

Relatedly, the act of taking photos can be therapeutic. By focusing through the lens, you become an observer of your own emotions. You get a chance to work through feelings you might not even know you had.

Great art often stems from vulnerability. When you use photography to express your true self, you join a rich lineage of artists who have turned to their craft for emotional release. From heart-wrenching photojournalism to evocative portraits, these pieces resonate because they come from a place of sincere emotion.

So go ahead, pick up your camera and shoot not just what you see, but also what you feel. It’s more than a snapshot; it’s a fragment of your emotions frozen in time. Through your photos, you can share your inner world, making connections that words alone could never forge.

8. Photography has the power to move us

Photographs can grab our attention and speak directly to our emotions. There are plenty of powerful photos – such as Nick Ut’s photograph of a crying Vietnamese girl whose clothes have been burned away by napalm – that can make us feel things.

On a more subtle level, photography teaches us lessons about a whole range of emotions. Grief has the power to wash away the brightness and color of our lives. There is no magic way to restore these. We have to be patient. But while waiting, we can search for the shapes and patterns that are still present in the grayness. They will lead us back to color eventually. During moments of great sorrow in my life, I have used images to express that hope of returning color.

Photography, at its best, is a powerful language that speaks to our emotions. It allows us to tell our story and shows others our framing of the world around us.

9. Photography can change the world

A single photo can stir the conscience of its viewers, incite action, and even alter the course of history. It’s not just art or a form of self-expression; it’s also an agent of change. Your camera can be a powerful ally in shedding light on issues that matter, both globally and right in your community.

Consider the impact of photojournalism. Images of war, poverty, and social injustice have moved entire generations to take action. These photos put faces and stories to the issues we hear about, making them feel more real, more urgent. Yet, you don’t have to travel to a war zone to make a difference. Everyday struggles in your own community are equally deserving of attention.

Let’s say there’s a park in your hometown threatened by development. A well-timed photo capturing the park’s natural beauty could rally your neighbors to its defense. Or perhaps you’re passionate about animal welfare. Your poignant images of shelter animals can encourage others to adopt or donate.

Photography has the power to go beyond mere observation and step into the realm of advocacy. Just like Ansel Adams used his camera to safeguard Yosemite, you can use yours to protect and highlight what you care about. The scope doesn’t have to be grand; the act of drawing attention is often enough to ignite change.

Whether it’s a social issue or an environmental cause, don’t underestimate the impact your photos can make. You’re not just a bystander; you’re a participant in shaping the world’s narrative. So pick up that camera and shoot with purpose, for your lens could very well be the catalyst the world needs.

Why photography matters: final words

Hopefully, you now have a better sense of the different reasons people pursue photography – and why photography is important. The reasons to pick up a camera are as diverse as the people behind the lens. Yet, the common thread weaving through every shot is the profound impact photography can have. It’s not just a hobby or a skill to master; it’s a journey that enriches your life and, quite possibly, the lives of others.

Photography captures more than moments; it captures emotions, realities, and ideas. It offers a unique blend of technical skill and artistic expression, inviting you to continually evolve. Every time you click that shutter, you’re participating in a form of storytelling that’s been embraced by humanity for over a century.

So, whether you’re aiming your camera at a sprawling landscape, a bustling cityscape, or the eyes of someone you love, remember this: each shot you take adds value to your life and potentially the lives of others. The importance of photography is far-reaching, and its impact is immeasurable.

Now I’d love to know:

Why do you do photography? What motivates you to keep taking pictures? What is it about photography that inspires you?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Declan O’Neill is a professional photographer who lives in the South Island, New Zealand. He travels extensively, capturing the beauty of New Zealand’s extraordinary landscape. The photographs that accompany this article are part of a series entitled “The Anatomy of Melancholy,” which is dedicated to the memory of his sister, Ann, who died from Multiple Systems Atrophy.

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The Power of Photography

Photographers use their cameras as tools of exploration, passports to inner sanctums, instruments for change. Their images are proof the photography matters-now more than ever.

Thirty-four years before the birth of this magazine, the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard sourly prophesied a banal fate for the newly popularized art of photography. “With the daguerreotype,” he observed, “everyone will be able to have their portrait taken—formerly it was only the prominent—and at the same time everything is being done to make us all look exactly the same, so we shall only need one portrait.”

The National Geographic Society did not set out to test Kierkegaard’s thesis, at least not right away. Its mission was exploration, and the gray pages of its official journal did not exactly constitute a visual orgy. Years would go by before National Geographic ’s explorers would begin using the camera as a tool to bring back what is now its chief source of fame: photographic stories that can alter perceptions and, at their best, change lives.

By wresting a precious particle of the world from time and space and holding it absolutely still, a great photograph can explode the totality of our world, such that we never see it quite the same again. After all, as Kierkegaard also wrote, “the truth is a snare: you cannot have it, without being caught.”

Today photography has become a global cacophony of freeze-frames. Millions of pictures are uploaded every minute. Correspondingly, everyone is a subject, and knows it—any day now we will be adding the unguarded moment to the endangered species list. It’s on this hyper-egalitarian, quasi-Orwellian, all-too-camera-ready “terra infirma” that National Geographic ’s photographers continue to stand out. Why they do so is only partly explained by the innately personal choices (which lens for which lighting for which moment) that help define a photographer’s style. Instead, the very best of their images remind us that a photograph has the power to do infinitely more than document. It can transport us to unseen worlds.

When I tell people that I work for this magazine, I see their eyes grow wide, and I know what will happen when I add, as I must: “Sorry, I’m just one of the writers.” A National Geographic photographer is the personification of worldliness, the witness to all earthly beauty, the occupant of everybody’s dream job. I’ve seen The Bridges of Madison County —I get it, I’m not bitter. But I have also frequently been thrown into the company of a National Geographic photographer at work, and what I have seen is everything to admire and nothing whatsoever to envy. If what propels them is ferocious determination to tell a story through transcendent images, what encumbers their quest is a daily litany of obstruction (excess baggage fees, inhospitable weather, a Greek chorus of “no”), interrupted now and then by disaster (broken bones, malaria, imprisonment). Away from home for many months at a time—missing birthdays, holidays, school plays—they can find themselves serving as unwelcome ambassadors in countries hostile to the West. Or sitting in a tree for a week. Or eating bugs for dinner. I might add that Einstein, who snarkily referred to photographers as lichtaffen, meaning “monkeys drawn to light,” did not live by 3 a.m. wake-up calls. Let’s not confuse nobility with glamour. What transfixes me, almost as much as their images, is my colleagues’ cheerful capacity for misery.

Apparently they wouldn’t have it any other way. The lodestone of the camera tugged at each of them from their disparate origins (a small town in Indiana or Azerbaijan, a polio isolation ward, the South African military), and over time their work would reflect differentiated passions: human conflict and vanishing cultures, big cats and tiny insects, the desert and the sea. What do the National Geographic photographers share? A hunger for the unknown, the courage to be ignorant, and the wisdom to recognize that, as one says, “the photograph is never taken—it is always given.”

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In the field I’ve seen some of my lens-toting compatriots sit for days, even weeks, with their subjects, just listening to them, learning what it is they have to teach the world, before at last lifting the camera to the eye. Our photographers have spent literally years immersed in the sequestered worlds of Sami reindeer herders, Japanese geisha, and New Guinea birds of paradise. The fruit of that commitment can be seen in their photographs. What’s not visible is their sense of responsibility toward those who dared to trust the stranger by opening the door to their quiet world. It’s a far riskier and time-consuming proposition to forgo the manipulated shot and instead view photography as a collaborative venture between two souls on either side of the lens.

Conscience is the other trait that binds these photographers. To experience the beauty of harp seals swimming in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is also to see the frailty of their habitat: scores of seal pups drowning due to the collapse of ice floes, a direct consequence of climate change. To witness the calamity of war in the gold-mining region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is also to envision a glimmer of hope: Show the gold merchants in Switzerland what their profiteering has wrought, and maybe they’ll cease their purchases.

In the past 125 years, it turns out, Kierkegaard has been proved both wrong and right about photography. The images in National Geographic have revealed a world not of sameness but of wondrous diversity. But they have also, increasingly, documented societies and species and landscapes threatened by our urge for homogenization. The magazine’s latter-day explorers are often tasked with photographing places and creatures that a generation later may live only in these pages. How do you walk away from that? If my colleagues suffer a shared addiction, it’s to using the formidable reach and influence of this iconic magazine to help save the planet. Does that sound vainglorious? Ask the Swiss gold merchants. They saw Marcus Bleasdale’s images at a Geneva exhibit, and their Congolese gold purchases halted almost overnight.

Of course, every professional photographer hopes for The Epic Shot, the once-in-a-lifetime collision of opportunity and skill that gains a photograph instant entry into the pantheon alongside Joe Rosenthal’s Iwo Jima, Bob Jackson’s encounter with Jack Ruby gunning down Lee Harvey Oswald, and the Apollo 8 astronauts’ color depictions of planet Earth in its beaming entirety. And yet, game-changing photographs are not what National Geographic photographers do. The most iconic photograph ever to grace these pages is not of anyone or anything historic. Rather, it’s of Sharbat Gula, an Afghan girl of maybe 12 when photographer Steve McCurry encountered her in 1984 at a refugee camp in Pakistan. What her intense, sea-green eyes told the world from the cover of National Geographic ’s June 1985 issue a thousand diplomats and relief workers could not. The Afghan girl’s stare drilled into our collective subconscious and stopped a heedless Western world dead in its tracks. Here was the snare of truth. We knew her instantly, and we could no longer avoid caring.

McCurry shot his immortal portrait well before the proliferation of the Internet and the invention of the smartphone. In a world seemingly benumbed by a daily avalanche of images, could those eyes still cut through the clutter and tell us something urgent about ourselves and about the imperiled beauty of the world we inhabit? I think the question answers itself.

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10 Reasons Why Photography Is Important

In 1827, Joseph Niepce took the first photo. A few years later, another man developed the first real practical camera. Innovations continued, and as the technology became more advanced and accessible, photography bloomed as a hobby and a profession. Photographers were also recognized as artists with their work displayed in galleries. Photos also became an integral part of journalism. Today, digital photography is extremely popular and everyone can take pictures now either with a cheap camera or just their cell phone. Why does photography matter?

#1 Learning photography is good for your mind

Research proves that learning a new skill is good for your brain. The harder the skill, the more it can improve your memory and brain health. In photography, you learn skills like how light works, how to take advantage of the camera’s settings, what filters and lenses work best for different scenarios, and so on. It’s a great skill to develop because it’s easy to see your photos improve as your knowledge grows.

#2 It can encourage your physical health

To capture views from beautiful mountain tops or underwater landscapes, a photographer needs to get there first. That encourages physical activities like hiking, swimming , and so on. If you’re carrying a lot of gear, that increases the effort needed. Not everyone needs to push themselves far, however. Even just a walk around the neighborhood to photograph birds or whatever else catches your eye is great for your physical health.

#3. It encourages creativity

Photography is a mixture of technical knowledge (how the camera works, how light works, etc) and creativity. Even people who don’t have extensive knowledge of the science of photography can still take beautiful photos because they have a creative eye. The more you shoot, the more you can stretch that artsy side. There are many benefits to creativity, including better problem-solving, better focus, and reduced stress.

#4 It can encourage you to travel

Traveling for the sake of photography changes how you look at the world. Things you may have never thought about before catch your eye, like the glow of a sunrise through an airplane window or the grittiness of a gas station in the desert. With photos, you get to capture these moments and preserve them forever. When you travel to take photos, you get additional benefits like a better understanding of different cultures, new foods, and new activities. Can’t travel far for some reason? You can still take great photos and experience new things by traveling to unfamiliar parts of the area you live in.

#5 You can make new social connections

Photography provides many opportunities for social connection. Taking a workshop or class helps you meet people who share your passion, while posting your photos online can facilitate conversations, too. If you like to take portraits, talking to your subjects (and always getting their informed consent, of course) can introduce you to people you normally wouldn’t meet. Social connections like these have numerous benefits .

#6. It’s an accessible art form

Many art forms are difficult and take years to get to the point where you’re proud to show off your work. Because of digital technology, good photography isn’t limited to professionals. With a smartphone or cheap digital camera, you can capture beautiful images and edit them using all kinds of software, some of which are free or very affordable. With the right know-how and tools, you can create images that rival professionals who are using expensive equipment.

#7 Photography can help with memory issues

Some people worry that an obsession with taking photos distracts us from “living in the moment,” but there’s evidence that photos help those struggling with memory disorders. If someone is trying to remember another person, showing them a photo can help . The same goes for important events like weddings or graduations. Looking at photos from their younger years (which will be much easier as adults born in the era of digital photography grow older) also stimulates memories and facilitates conversations.

#8 Photography can play a part in therapy

People going through therapy often struggle with expressing their emotions. Photography offers people a unique way to communicate with a therapist and themselves when words fail. As an example, Vietnam war veteran Christopher Chaffee took up photography to help with his depression and PTSD. After talking with professionals at the VA Medical Center, he ended up founding a photography club for other veterans. There are countless other anecdotes of people finding better mental health through photography. Scientific evidence also shows that creative pursuits reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

#9 Photography captures history

In 1861, Frederick Douglass held a lecture called “Pictures and Progress.” He emphasized the significance of photography , saying that “the great cheapness, and universality of pictures must exert a powerful though silent influence, upon the ideas and sentiment of present and future generations.” He included images in general in that statement, but given that he was one of the most photographed Americans of the 19th century, he saw something special in photography. Some of history’s most famous images are photographs, including “Tank Man,” which shows a lone Chinese man standing in front of a line of tanks in Tiananmen square. Photos depict history in a way drawings or paintings can’t.

#10 Photography can increase empathy (but it’s complicated)

When people see images like the aforementioned “Tank Man,” emotions usually rise to the surface. This can have a bigger impact on people than reading a report of an event. The reason is often because of what’s called “the identifiable victim effect.” It’s easier to empathize with a single person standing in for a historical event. However, when we’re flooded with heartbreaking and violent images, we can also become desensitized. Our empathy fades. Photography is a tool, and like any tool, it needs to be used carefully or it can backfire.

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The power of photography: time, mortality and memory

• Blake Morrison , Mary McCartney, Steve Pyke, Grayson Perry , Katie Mitchell, Sean O'Hagan , Jemima Kiss , Louise Wilson and Adrian Searle
• The Guardian , Sunday 19 May 2013 19.30 BST

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Blake Morrison

I tell myself I’ve never owned a camera, but that doesn’t square with a memory of being given one as a birthday present in my teens, and of a losing struggle with light, shade, aperture, distance, angle, focus. Cameras were more demanding then, and I hadn’t the patience. Other people did it better.


Not least, to begin with, my father. A stranger looking through my childhood photos might deduce a) that we were perpetually on holiday in north Wales, and b) that my father never accompanied us. But he wasn’t absent, merely hiding behind the lens of his Nikon. Most of his snaps were taken without us noticing. But a few were trick photos, such as the one with my mother, sister and me arranged above each other on a steep hill, to look like acrobats standing on each other’s shoulders.


Despite their playfulness, my chief feeling when I look at those photos is sadness: that most of the people in them are now dead; that the times they commemorate can’t be retrieved. It’s sentimental, I know: time passes; the moment goes even as the shutter clicks. But those photographic images are a source of sorrow, whereas the images in my head are not. Larkin has a poem about how memories “link us to our losses” by showing us “what we have as it once was,/Blindingly undiminished, just as though/By acting differently we could have kept it so.” That’s the effect old photos have on me. 
Worse, though, would be to have none at all. My favourite photo is one of my mother in pigtails as a child, an image unknown to me until a few years ago, after her death, when a cousin sent it. The earliest image I had of her till then was a graduation photo, taken in Dublin. There were none of her large family, either. I felt shut out from her past, and the lack of pictures was part of the reason.


My father’s childhood was heavily documented by comparison, and he was scrupulous about documenting his children’s, first in tiny black-and-white prints, then with colour transparencies, which were looked at through a viewfinder or (at the annual Christmas slide show put on for my long-suffering cousins) on a white screen. He also had a cine camera, and I sometimes feel guilty that my own children, unlike me, have no moving images of themselves to look back on. Why my wife and I never bought a video camera, I don’t know (laziness? expense?). But she at least has been diligent down the years, with box cameras, Polaroids, disposables and (most recently) a digital Canon. The results have been pasted in albums and dated, and every so often I get them out to see what we got up to. These, too, make me tearful.


I now have a photo folder on my computer, for emailed pictures sent by friends and family. More to the point, I own an iPhone and have begun to take snaps. My shots from the Shard at night were disappointing. And it’s too late for me to compete with the poet Hugo Williams, who has been taking his camera to parties and book launches for decades and who must by now have one of the great literary photo-archives of our time. But tentatively, decades too late, I have made a start.

Mary McCartney

Photographer.

I have a vivid early memory of going to a darkroom with my mum. I would see her taking photos a lot, though she didn’t do much printing. But she took me there one day and I remember seeing a blank page put into a chemical bath and becoming a photograph.
We didn’t really have any of her pictures around the house, but there was a Jacques-Henri Lartigue , and an Edward S Curtis portait of some native Americans. Mum grew up in New York and she got into photography after seeing the famous Family of Man exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, curated by Edward Steichen . She mentioned it often; my mum and dad discussed photography a lot.


Because I grew up around it, I assumed everyone could take pictures. Now, I realise that not everyone has the eye. It’s true that every kid can take pictures that you could use or publish, and there are a lot more being documented. But it’s still hard to do a proper shoot, or go into depth; it takes a lot of time and attention.
I still think in film: I always have. If I take an image that I really like, it feels more real if it’s caught on film; if I’ve shot it digitally, I feel it could just disappear. The confusing thing for me is how many different ways there are of taking photos. I take a fair amount on my iPhone, quite a few on my 35mm Leica, plus on my digital camera, and I have a Polaroid, too. When I’m going on an assignment, I never know which cameras to take. 
I’m embarrassed to say that my main camera is my iPhone. I’m on Instagram so I can follow friends; I like how immediate it is. I upload with filters sometimes; I’m not that purist about it. In the past, you’d pick a certain type of film for a certain look, and today’s filters are a similar concept: the modern version of choosing the right mood. But if there’s absolutely stunning light, and a picture hasn’t needed a filter, I always do  #nofilter .


Family pictures are the most precious. I have a set of prints I carry around in my wallet of my kids, my husband and my parents. I look at those rather than writing a diary: they’re very evocative and textural and emotional, and take you back to specific moments. I change them every so often, after they get worn out. 
The picture I carry of my parents is a little old colour print of them hugging in the 70s, which is sweet. The one of my husband and me was taken in a photobooth a friend rented for a birthday party. I love the old-fashioned booths where you get four different shots; they feel unique because you’ve got the only version that will ever exist. I also have a great photobooth strip of my son when he was really young. He’s crying at the beginning – then in the next photo my hand’s in there, giving him an ice-cream.



I grew up in Leicester in the 60s. The first time I became enthralled by photography was when my mum got a subscription to Life magazine: the Apollo 8 cover from December 1968 was particularly dear to me. I never wanted to be a train driver, always an astronaut. I went on to work for Life, and my astronauts series ended up in its pages in 1999/2000, so I came full circle. 


I’ve been photographing my children since they were born. I don’t photograph them every day now, but every few months: Jack’s now 26 and Duncan’s 21. It came about in the 1980s: I was making Super 8 films and working on a film with Peter Greenaway that photographed things over time. David Attenborough did it first, with a dead mouse that eventually had maggots in it. I thought: what an amazing thing to do with a human being, film someone on Super 8 from birth to death. When Jack was 20 minutes old, I made my first image of him, with the idea that the death at the end of the cycle would be mine, not his. I also photograph my daughter Lola Rae, who is six. She plays to the camera and is more aware of herself. Now I’ve started to scan in the photos to make stop-motion animations.

I store all my images in print form, but also as digital scans on hard drives. I borrow my girlfriend’s digital camera and iPhone sometimes, but I haven’t ever bought one because I shoot with my Rolleiflex. It’s difficult to do it any other way now. 
I’ve also been collecting photography prints since 1980, and have an eclectic collection: a Brassai, an Enrique Mezenides, a Diane Arbus, an Eggleston, and a couple of Nan Goldins, because I was a part of that time and place here in New York. I have a wall of photographs in my studio, for inspiration and influence, that I change sporadically (pictured at the top of the article) . The rest of the walls are covered with my own portraits of people like Joe Strummer, John Waters, Robert Johnson.


I’ve shot millions of images so it’s hard to pull something out that’s symbolic. But there is a photo that means a lot to me hanging in my studio. I photographed it on the first roll I ever took at Billy Smart’s Circus in Battersea in the early 1980s. Days before, a friend had taken me to a pub on Tottenham Court Road. He had a Pentax and he showed me how to use it, then gave me two rolls of film. I photographed circuses, fairgrounds, bars. The image is a woman lying down, balancing a table on her feet. It’s her job, but there’s a whole sexuality aspect to it, too. Photography and surrealism are so linked. It’s a crazy way to earn a living, on your back like that. 


Grayson Perry

When I was about five, my mother made a bonfire in the back garden and burned a suitcase full of family photos taken by my father. He had been a keen photographer with his own dark room. I don’t know why she burned them, but it coincided with them getting divorced and my stepfather moving in.


For the rest of my childhood, no one in the family possessed a camera, so I have very few photographs of myself before art college. Family snaps are somehow celebratory of the good times so there was little motivation to record our lives. As soon as I could afford it, I bought a clunky Russian Zenith SLR. It was bulky and manual and I had little spare cash for film, so I took few snaps at first. Some of my most precious and most naff are the earliest images of myself in women’s clothes, staring into the lens, nervously waiting for the self-timer to go off. Transvestites have a very symbiotic relationship with the camera. We used to joke at tranny events that we should seek Kodak sponsorship.


I was never very good at the technical side, and have few good photographs of my early work, an omission I came to regret when researching my first retrospective show. I had put on whole exhibitions in the 1980s without taking a single photograph. Nowadays, my dealer will commission high-quality photographs as a matter of course.


Soon after compact automatic cameras became available I started taking a lot of snaps. This was a habit I kept up until fairly recently, particularly when my daughter was young. I used to put them in albums religiously, until I saw a TV programme where a curator from the Museum of Film and Photography said those sticky, clingfilm-style albums are terrible for the prints and you should keep them in a shoebox. Which I did, unedited, for years until I realised we never looked at them. Then my daughter and I spent a week going through thousands and sorted the best into a series of albums. 


Since the advent of digital photography, I have taken fewer and fewer photos for fun, but hugely more for research, or to record my work, or outfits. I take a few to record our ageing. I will go on holiday and return with just a dozen snaps. I don’t know whether this is because of age, laziness or the feeling that photography has become a torrent of cliches. The cameraphone has made the forest of glowing screens ubiquitous in museums, galleries and at events. Maybe I’m a snob, but it’s put me off photography.

Katie Mitchell

Theatre director.

My father always took photographs of our summer holidays and printed the film into slides. He used a Japanese camera, a 35mm Canon. We had family slide shows every winter. There was a white plastic screen that had to be pulled up out of its cylindrical container, and we had to be careful not to get sticky fingers on the negatives. There were framed photographs of us around the house and my favourite was a plain wooden frame around a colour picture of me, with the sun hitting the lens so it created a halo around my smiling head. My dad also taught my brother and me how to make pinhole cameras when I was about 10.


My uncle Richard took photographs for the Leicester Mercury, specialising in sports photography and pop concerts like the Beatles, so the house was also littered with his shots. My brother started taking black-and-white images when he was at prep school and later went into photography professionally. My first experience of a dark room was with him in my early 20s. The magic of the image emerging on to the white photographic paper in the thick red gloom was bewitching, and I loved the way the images were hung up on a washing line.


When I went to university, my father gave me his old Canon and I remember the complexity of all the settings, how hard it was to load and the importance of caring for it. Later, as I became more interested in film, my dad bought me a Super 8 camera and I remember the delight when you started filming and the camera whirred until you pressed stop.
Now I use either the new digital camera my mum bought me when I had my daughter, or my iPhone. I store my photographs on my computer and rarely print them. In the first two years of my daughter’s life, I printed all the photographs of her and put them into albums, and had some framed. But they looked different from my childhood photographs. It’s the texture: I miss the grain of the original print.


It’s the old family photographs from the 1920s onwards that I love the most. When I am with either of my parents, I am always rummaging around in their old collections. Before my granny died, I got her to tell me who all the people were in the photographs in her house, and I carefully wrote on the back of each one. I’m now doing the same with my mum’s old photographs. I am particularly fond of a picture of my mother standing with her mother and holding out her hand to feed a pigeon whose wings are blurred. It must be the 1930s. And there is a tiny, tiny photograph of my granny’s family on my dad’s side, taken on the Kennington Road in London in the 1920s. My great grandad is seated cradling Arthur, one of his sons, who looks as if he has polio, and the rest of the family and friends are crowded around, about 30 people.


These tiny images, sometimes only 3in x 1in, with their curled edges, are the only way of touching people in my past. Like many people, my family was broken up by time, events, place and so on, and looking at these is a way of putting the pieces of my past together, like a jigsaw. When I am doing this, I often think of TS Eliot’s East Coker:


‘There is a time for the evening 
under starlight,

A time for the evening under lamplight

(The evening with the photograph album).’

Sean O'Hagan

Photography critic.

I remember a Kodak Instamatic that appeared every time we went on holiday or had a family gathering. The rest of the time it resided in the “everything drawer” in the kitchen, alongside lightbulbs, batteries, pieces of string, marker pens, clothes pegs and all the other detritus of family life. The idea that it could be taken out, loaded up with cheap film and used to record my everyday life never occurred to me. This is now a source of deep regret.


I lived through the onset of the Troubles in Armagh, and it strikes me now that I could have been a kind of anti- Ed Ruscha . He photographed every building on Sunset Strip. I could have photographed every bombed building on Scotch Street. What a series that would have been.


I moved to London just in time for punk, but I didn’t own a camera then, either, nor did I ever think of buying one. For a time, I shared a flat with an Australian girl who had a Pentax (or maybe a Nikon), which, as I recall, she used a lot. When she departed for home after one too many long London winters, she took all her snapshots with her. Somewhere down under, there is a treasure trove of photographs of me and my friends in various states of chemical disrepair in our battered leather jackets, torn Levi’s and Ramones T-shirts.


Once, while working for the NME in the late 80s, I took some photographs to accompany a feature on Everything But the Girl in Moscow . I used colour slide film, unwittingly. That’s how accomplished I was. The pictures ran, though. One filled a whole page: Ben and Tracy beneath a giant statue of Lenin. It remains a source of some pride: my one brush with practical photography.
Though I write about photography for a living, I did not own a camera until recently. My first was a Pentax Omnio digital compact – a present from my wife. It’s a great little camera, and already an ancient relic of another time. I now own a Fuji X10, which I use as a visual diary. I try not to shoot as much as I used to because so many great photographers have told me that the real editing takes place as you are shooting. I have never printed a digital photograph. They are stored on my hard disk in their hundreds, maybe thousands. This fills me with a vague anxiety.


I can see now that I shoot certain things over and over: landscapes whizzing by from moving trains; people dozing on the tube; things scrawled on walls (though not graffiti or graffiti tags); the tops of trees against the sky. I basically shoot the kind of photography I like. I think photographs should be intimate. And everyday. And luminous. That’s a tall order, but the best photographers pull it off all the time.
When my father was very ill a few years ago, and again just after he died, I photographed the interior of his garden shed on my phone and digital camera. The images, together and separately, feel like a portrait of him somehow – a portrait of the inside of his head and all the stuff he had collected there. For me, they possess a meaning that many of my other photographs do not. Something to do with time and mortality and memory, all the things Roland Barthes wrote about in Camera Lucida, and which photography seems to evoke like no other art form because of its very nature – the split second already gone. At some point, I will put some words to them, because that is what I do. I’m a writer, not a photographer. But every time I see a photograph that surprises me, I wish – for a split second – it was the other way around.

Jemima Kiss

Technology writer.

Somewhere upstairs in my partner Will’s cold, dingy office next to the airing cupboard, there’s a collection of dusty, battered hard drives. They are not well-loved, and occasionally get used as doorstops. Yet hidden inside is an invaluable part of our family history – our collection of photos.
Will is a photographer, and though there have been occasions where we have sifted through photos and even printed a couple out, the sheer, overwhelming volume of pictures he has taken over the years has made it impossible even to begin to manage or access this collection. It’s a source of constant frustration for my mother-in-law, who regularly bemoans the fact that her professional photographer son is unable to provide her with printed images of her grandchildren. He takes up to 80Gb of photos per shoot and estimates he has half a million photos. It’s insurmountable.


We recently pulled out some photographs for our wedding invitation, discovering swaths of images we hadn’t seen for years, or ever. I wondered if there is a point – similar to Dunbar’s Law – beyond which we are unable to process volumes of information.


Combined with human incompetence and the chaos of child-rearing, the inaccessibility of our visual memory bank has become a real bone of contention. Last spring I spent three evenings editing and sorting (with no small amount of obsessive satisfaction, I should add) a few thousand photos of us all, organising by event and pulling the best into a shortlist folder. We moved house, and the hard drive disappeared. Maybe lost, maybe wiped. In the digital world, easy come, easy go.


If we had had only 10 pictures in the world, would we have been more careful with them? They would each be meticulously stored, labelled, backed up and printed out in beautiful frames – and probably in my mother-in-law’s house, too.

It wasn’t always this way. I still have a shoe box of prints from my childhood, and crates of my dad’s slides that I’ve been gradually scanning to eventually share online. Family cameras – my grandmother’s Brownie Vecta, my dad’s SLR – were precious, hallowed objects, not for our grubby hands. The relatively small number of photos in the family collection from when I was a child meant that many of them came to represent powerful, emotional links to our past: to favourite holidays, to my childhood home (now demolished). Later, with the death of my father, they took on a rather cruel disconnect to the present world; he seems so vital and alive in a casual moment caught and printed on a random piece of photographic paper, yet he is no longer here. 
What’s next, then, for this photographic, digital overload? We are still early into our adaptation to the digital world, and unsophisticated when it comes to managing all this material. We need to be more selective in what we choose to photograph and what we choose to keep. If it’s a bad photo, or only one of the 10 you shot is any good, only keep the best one. Delete is your friend.


But the problem also needs technological recognition. Photo storage needs to be more automated, and photo-viewing software should also help us more. It can learn which photos we view most often, and let the poor photos recede automatically. Software could summarise the 10 best photos we’ve taken that month, and put them somewhere special. It could identify duplicate photos and suggest the one to keep. Don’t back up all 3,000, just the 30 you really treasure. All we need is some bright spark to fix the problem.


Louise Wilson

I got into photography at art college. I borrowed a 35mm camera, and would go in the dark room for hours, practising how to load the neg on to the spools. 


But I only bought my first camera later: a Mamiya C330 with a twin lens. My sister Jane and I would make our own large-scale prints, about five metres wide, with an enlarger that we had to tilt on its side to make the projections big enough. We would bring garden troughs into the dark room, roll these massive sheets in water, then in developer, then fix them, before running each sheet under water for hours. We got weekend access and I would stay in there till all hours. 


I use a digital camera, and an iPhone: you can do little effects, and I love apps where you can shoot grainy, black-and-white movies. We did a big number for the ICA in London, in 2011, where we shot a recreation of the Odessa step scene from Battleship Potemkin on my iPhone. The idea was that it looked really lo-fi, that we just captured it on the fly with loads of volunteers, which we did. The curator Norman Rosenthal was there that day, which was serendipitous: he played the wailing woman that gets shot, and drag queen Jonny Woo was the mother pushing the pram down the steps.


It’s interesting to see how playful my nephew is at six, shooting his own movies. The next generation have a complete familiarity with documenting themselves and their surroundings in a way we just didn’t. Photography has entered such a democratic sphere now, with the digital realm open to all. Younger people edit their own movies, set up their own events, and there’s a real confidence – it’s totally entered their language. I often take him to exhibitions and he loves sitting cross-legged on the floor and watching video art; his generation have such an empathy with that kind of work. 


My father had a dark room before Jane and I were born. A few years ago, we found a really interesting image he’d taken and turned it into a sculpture (pictured above) . It’s a picture of my mother and a friend of hers bending down to pick up shells on the beach, looking very 60s. Their posture mirrors each other, and there’s a man in the middle holding a camera, and these beautiful long shadows from a low, late afternoon sun. Jane and I put his photo behind a set of old-fashioned weighing scales. The scales reflect the balance, the way the women seem on the same plain. Today, it’s in my house with a lampshade on top of it. I’ve never talked to my dad about his photography, but this curious construction always reminds me of him, and where my love of the dark room came from.

Adrian Searle

When I look at myself as a child, it always looks like someone else’s memory rather than a childhood I remember for myself. When I see a photograph of my mother, I barely recognise her. This saddens me, and says less about the photograph than it does about memory and my childhood experience. I also have a number of family albums and boxes stuffed with pictures, some well over a century old. I keep them cool and in the dark, and rarely look at them.

I was given a camera in my early teens, and promptly broke it. At art college I managed to work out the mysteries of the SLR and light-meter, but apart from documenting art, I have usually been without a camera. There are years and years of my life, places I have been, friends and lovers, my daughter growing up, fish I have caught, rooms I have lived in, for which I have few visual records. A shot of my daughter, aged four, by the artist and picture editor Bruce Bernard , who taught me a great deal about how to look at photographs, is a small talisman, and sits by my bed. Our relationships to particular photographs – rather than photography in general – can be very complex. Affect is complicated, memory is complicated.


Digital photography, a cameraphone and a slightly less rackety life has made things easier, if not more organised. I used to draw and scribble my way round exhibitions. Now I take photographs all the time, mostly of shows and artworks, which I use for quick reference – though the drawings in my notebooks mean more to me. I also take the same sort of snaps anyone else might take: there’s you on the bed, here’s me in the sunshine. What city was it? The photographs pile up in iPhoto, which always wants me to catalogue them, but I resist.


Another favourite is also my desktop screensaver (pictured above) . Shot with my phone while trapped in a car during a blizzard in Iceland, with the artist Roni Horn , it’s the view through the windshield: a view of emptiness filled with grey green weather. I keep thinking it’s Roni’s picture, even though I shot it. 
I dream my way in and out of images in photography books. One day it might be John Davies’s England , another it could be Michael Schmidt’s Berlin , William Eggleston’s Memphis or Anders Petersen’s Café Lehmitz in Hamburg .

On my wall are a number of images by Juergen Teller . There’s also a photo by Jemima Stehli of me wearing a suit, watching her undress . Holding the shutter-release, I am photographing myself watching her. One of Teller’s portraits of me, looking mad , was pasted to the wall in his recent ICA exhibition. It was right down at floor level; you could give it a quick kick as you passed. With the years, the camera has encouraged me to become an exhibitionist.

Photographs: Steve Pyke; Blake Morrison; Mary McCartney; Grayson Perry; Katie Mitchell; Sean O'Hagan; Will Whipple; Jane and Louise Wilson; Adrian Searle

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Home — Essay Samples — Arts & Culture — Photography — The Importance and Future of Photography

The Importance and Future of Photography

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Published: Aug 10, 2018

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Greater Good Science Center • Magazine • In Action • In Education

How Photography Can Help Cultivate Mindfulness and Gratitude

If you were to think about teaching both mindfulness and gratitude to students, photography might not be the first method that comes to mind. But mindfulness is, at its core, a state of open awareness and attention—and to feel gratitude , we first have to truly notice the good things in life.

Looked at that way, it’s easier to see how photography could be used as a tool in classrooms to promote mindfulness and gratitude—and the benefits they both have been shown to bring to young people. As French photojournalist Marc Riboud said, “Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.”

The Center for Healthy Minds (CHM) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has long been studying the teaching of mindfulness in elementary school classrooms. Over the past few years—with a grant from The John Templeton Foundation in partnership with the Greater Good Science Center—they developed and tested a five-week mindful photography curriculum. Their project manual explains:

Advertisement X Keep Up with the GGSC Happiness Calendar Slow down and simplify this month One can say photography is a physical manifestation of mindfulness. It is about stopping/pausing, observing, framing, focusing, and capturing/receiving…Basically, photography is about a relationship to the present moment. Relating to the present moment with joy and gratitude is a choice we can make. Slowing down, we can access joy by shifting the focus of our awareness to what uplifts us.

CHM offered the mindful photography curriculum to fifth-grade teachers who were already involved in the mindfulness-based curricula study, which included both a ten-week training in the fall for them to establish their own mindfulness practice and an eight-week mindfulness curriculum for students in the spring. All six teachers who were given the chance to participate in the mindful photography training accepted, and five of them were able to continue with the project into a second year with new groups of students.

The first week focused on students using the mindfulness concept of pausing to notice what was around them in the present moment, and then appreciating the visual elements of what they noticed, such as colors, lines, shapes, textures, light, and shadows. In the second week, students learned to use their own eyes like cameras. They noticed what caught their attention and practiced nonjudgmental awareness, realizing that different people may see the same thing differently.

Then, in the third week, each student received a disposable camera and was specifically instructed to focus on photographing things that they felt grateful for and that brought them joy. In the fifth and final week, students reflected on the experience and shared their images. Each student received a small album to decorate and fill with their photos, thus creating a physical gratitude album that they could keep and look back on to remind them of their awareness and appreciation.

Based on participant feedback, teachers and students alike seemed to enjoy the curriculum and find it engaging and meaningful, especially the connections with both mindfulness and positive emotions. “This project re-emphasized the importance of slowing down and being present in the moment,” said one teacher. Others noted the beneficial effects of seeing beauty all around us and cultivating gratitude.

Meaningful Photos

A creative way to build happiness and meaning in life

Students expressed similar feelings. “Mindfulness is all about knowing your emotions and staying calm, and photography can really keep you calm and keep you focused,” said one. Another stated that mindful photography “helps you stay calm and happy and helps you notice what you are grateful for.” Or, as another put it, “We got to take pictures of people and stuff that we cared about.” (When CHM looked at the content of the fifth-graders’ photos, the two categories of subjects that appeared the most were peers and nature). One student’s response was simple but profound: “It shows me that the world is colorful.”

We often rush through our busy lives without truly noticing or appreciating all the beauty that surrounds us. As CHM found, mindful photography is a creative way to cultivate focus, deep seeing, and gratitude that both students and adults can carry with them into the rest of their lives.

In the words of Dorothea Lange, whose iconic photographs put a human face on the Great Depression: “The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.”

About the Author

Emily Campbell

Emily J. Campbell, Ph.D. , completed her doctorate in Human Development and Education at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Education in December 2019. During her entire graduate program, she worked as a research associate on the education team at the Greater Good Science Center. Her work focuses on understanding and promoting students' moral and social-emotional development.

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How To Create a Meaningful Photography Essay In 5 Steps

The storytelling nature of photography is no secret. It has been used for a century to narrate stories in a very peculiar and effective way. Narrative photographic projects have great power, and regardless of the level of experience and maturity of the photographer, they are very appealing. Find out how to create a meaningful photography essay in 5 steps.

Photography is an amazing art form that portrays interesting stories, events, adventures, life stories, experiences, history and has been around for a very long time having great influence in human life and emotions. Photography freezes the moment and records real life happenings that can be cherished for a lifetime and beyond. To make a good photograph, the photographer needs to look for perfect locations, light, subjects and add a little creativity to it.

Rather than a single image, a set or collections of images are always more powerful in telling a story, bringing in emotions within the viewer and taking/guiding the viewer through the path of the story. It is self consistent, self explanatory and doesn't another person to help with any form of narration. Besides these, photography essays can be a powerful source to bring out suppressed problems in the societies and other issues that are often overlooked.

Photographic essays invite us to research a topic or a theme in depth. Documentary photography is perhaps one of the closest things to “narrative” as we traditionally know it. Even though times have changed, and photography has been open to more independent photographers who don't have the same resource bonanza as the editorial or journalistic photographers of previous decades, this new democracy opens the door to the freedom of speech – a freedom that doesn't have to obey any media interests whatsoever.

Alright, But What Is A Photography Essay In The First Place?

A photo essay is a narrative that uses a group or series of photographs to tell a story, evoke emotions or emphasize a specific concept. The camera plays a utilitarian role, and is pretty far from what the final result can convey to those who read it (either completely or just partially). Photography essays can be either just photographs or photographs with comments, captions or text that accompany them to complete the story.

Some examples of photography essays include collage (simplest form of telling a story), an article, a book, an art show or exhibition, part of a website or a dedicated website and so on. Earlier photography essays were printed in the printing press, but in recent times they have moved to the web which is better in terms of easy access, but will not have a similar effect to looking and reading one physically.

What Elements Should A Photography Essay Include?

Being a narrative in a very holistic form, a photography essay should include the following elements in the most extreme cases:

• Introduction
• Contextualization
• Development
• Continuation

Not all essays will allow such a complex storyline, but we can take some of these elements to formulate an idea of what an essay should include. Therefore, a photo essay is a way to tell a story from beginning to end, with substance and a meaningful content.

Most photographic essays require preparation, organization and direction. Photographic essays began to be published in the 1930s after magazines saw that a story could best be told if text was accompanied by photographs. It is no coincidence that, by this time, cameras had evolved such that they could capture images quickly enough to freeze motion.

Also around this time, portability came into the picture, thanks to the practical nature of 35mm film . It was LIFE magazine that coined the term “Photographic Essay”. One of the most classic photography essays they published is “ Country Doctor ” by W. Eugene Smith . This essay documented Dr. Ceriani’s working life as a traveling doctor in rural areas of the United States.

An essay can be short, mid- or long-term according to various factors that can affect the image recording process. After achieving a certain number of images, the editing process can take place and the story can begin its narrative course. Some things that can affect the recording process are the limited resources we endure while working abroad, and limited access to the subject or the circumstances-recurrence ratio.

Here Are The 5 Steps Involved In Creating A Photography Essay:

1. pick a topic.

Obvious indeed, but choosing a good topic can be difficult without prior research. This is perhaps the hardest part of creating a photographic essay.

The wisest way to approach this is to select a topic that won't be so hard to access – not just because it might be easy. Since it will be accessible, the risk of frustration will be lower than it is when handling a difficult topic. Experience will eventually lead us into working with trickier subjects.

A photo essay doesn't need to always be dramatic and dense. They can be done just for the fun of it, or to discover new possibilities for the photographic narrative. Some topics that are generous when they are addressed are:

• Everyday Work  

2. Choosing The Subjects Correctly

When working on a photographic essay, it is important to choose subjects correctly to keep ourselves within a certain scope. Check to see if your subjects are suitable or the story you are planning to tell and if the stories made with them will be interesting for your target audience.

Even if you don't have a human subject to portray, making use of personification can always be a good guide to avoid losing course. For example, you can focus on silence by stating that the images attempted to capture the presence of silence.

Also, solitude can be addressed without any human elements, but still maintain the purpose of capturing “the human footprint”, for example.

3. Quantity Of Images

It is important to define the number of pictures we are willing to present on our final essay. Defining that number is important for a couple of reasons.

• The first one is because it will set the bar of our project's scope (critical when we start to consider our resources).
• The second one is our readers. The story should be told from start to finish with high impact, just like a short novel or a story. If we stuff our essay with “filler” images, it will ultimately lose its power.  

4. Execution

Let the fun part begin! After defining the previous three elements, we can start shooting to create a great storytelling essay.   Shooting story telling photographs for a photography essay need to be powerful just like how you would shoot individual images to tell a story. Look for perfect light, relevant locations relating to the story to be told, perfect subjects for the story and also compositional guidelines.

Always have introductory and closing images just like how you would have an introduction and conclusion to any essay. Shoot at different light, angles, perspectives, etc. and finalise during the editing part the images that will work together to complete the photography essay.

Editing must not be confused with post-processing, which is an important element of the production of the final photographs. Editing refers to the precise selection of the images that will be included in the essay. There is no perfect quantity or order. You (or your editor) will have to be very objective to select the perfect mix to tell the story the way you want it to be told.

Ak yourself questions like, do the photographs speak the story or will they require accompanying text, is the sequence or series logical, do they stand together and complete the story from start to finish, etc. Try and tell the story with minimal images by avoiding repetition as that can bore the viewers.

Who Can Create A Photography Essay?

Some photographers believe that only photojournalists or documentary photographers can create photography essays. That is not the case – photo essays can be created on any topics like nature, wedding, events, portraits, travel, etc.

Constant planning, execution and checking can and should be applied to all the stages discussed above. You will need to have a powerful title and written text that is strong and concise. Sometimes longer text may be required.

Photo essays are a great way to improve not just as photographers, but as storytellers, too. Viewing photo essays with a reader's mindset will give you a better feeling of photography’s storytelling power.

About Author

Federico has a decade of experience in documentary photography , and is a University Professor in photography and research methodology . He's a scientist studying the social uses of photography in contemporary culture who writes about photography and develops documentary projects. Other activities Federico is involved in photography are curation, critique, education, mentoring, outreach and reviews. Get to know him better here .

Dear Federico, this is a very informative, to the point article for everyone who wants to enter the world of creating photo essays. Currently, I am teaching photography at one of the well known institutes in India and I am playing a role of a honeybee. I am creating a blend of my experience along with such articles and letting the student know what are the pros and cons of various genres of photography and how to go about it. I am obviously giving you credit for this article. Thanks and you are welcome to India. You will love my country!

Frederico, thank you for this article about photo essays! I am both a digital photographer and a freelance writer, and this idea combines both of my passions. What are the most successful photo essays that you have done that you can share?

Hi, Thank you for the article, very interesting, something I would really love to try. I do have one question though, how do I know whether a photo essay would be a success, who would judge it?

I have emailed Frederico asking permission to reprint this article in my photo club’s digital newsletter (www.spsphoto.org). I would like your permission as well. We are having a photo essay competition this month. I will include links to the original article, as well as yours and Federico’s website. Thank you.

Fine by us, Linda. Thanks for asking first.

Thank you, and Federico, for permission to reprint. I am sure my photo club members will appreciate this timely article for our annual photo essay competition !

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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 an Engaging Photo Essay (with Examples)

Photo essays tell a story in pictures. They're a great way to improve at photography and story-telling skills at once. Learn how to do create a great one.

Learn | Photography Guides | By Ana Mireles

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Photography is a medium used to tell stories – sometimes they are told in one picture, sometimes you need a whole series. Those series can be photo essays.

If you’ve never done a photo essay before, or you’re simply struggling to find your next project, this article will be of help. I’ll be showing you what a photo essay is and how to go about doing one.

You’ll also find plenty of photo essay ideas and some famous photo essay examples from recent times that will serve you as inspiration.

If you’re ready to get started, let’s jump right in!

Table of Contents

What is a Photo Essay?

A photo essay is a series of images that share an overarching theme as well as a visual and technical coherence to tell a story. Some people refer to a photo essay as a photo series or a photo story – this often happens in photography competitions.

Photographic history is full of famous photo essays. Think about The Great Depression by Dorothea Lange, Like Brother Like Sister by Wolfgang Tillmans, Gandhi’s funeral by Henri Cartier Bresson, amongst others.

What are the types of photo essay?

Despite popular belief, the type of photo essay doesn’t depend on the type of photography that you do – in other words, journalism, documentary, fine art, or any other photographic genre is not a type of photo essay.

Instead, there are two main types of photo essays: narrative and thematic .

As you have probably already guessed, the thematic one presents images pulled together by a topic – for example, global warming. The images can be about animals and nature as well as natural disasters devastating cities. They can happen all over the world or in the same location, and they can be captured in different moments in time – there’s a lot of flexibility.

A narrative photo essa y, on the other hand, tells the story of a character (human or not), portraying a place or an event. For example, a narrative photo essay on coffee would document the process from the planting and harvesting – to the roasting and grinding until it reaches your morning cup.

What are some of the key elements of a photo essay?

• Tell a unique story – A unique story doesn’t mean that you have to photograph something that nobody has done before – that would be almost impossible! It means that you should consider what you’re bringing to the table on a particular topic.
• Put yourself into the work – One of the best ways to make a compelling photo essay is by adding your point of view, which can only be done with your life experiences and the way you see the world.
• Add depth to the concept – The best photo essays are the ones that go past the obvious and dig deeper in the story, going behind the scenes, or examining a day in the life of the subject matter – that’s what pulls in the spectator.
• Nail the technique – Even if the concept and the story are the most important part of a photo essay, it won’t have the same success if it’s poorly executed.
• Build a structure – A photo essay is about telling a thought-provoking story – so, think about it in a narrative way. Which images are going to introduce the topic? Which ones represent a climax? How is it going to end – how do you want the viewer to feel after seeing your photo series?
• Make strong choices – If you really want to convey an emotion and a unique point of view, you’re going to need to make some hard decisions. Which light are you using? Which lens? How many images will there be in the series? etc., and most importantly for a great photo essay is the why behind those choices.

9 Tips for Creating a Photo Essay

Credit: Laura James

1. Choose something you know

To make a good photo essay, you don’t need to travel to an exotic location or document a civil war – I mean, it’s great if you can, but you can start close to home.

Depending on the type of photography you do and the topic you’re looking for in your photographic essay, you can photograph a local event or visit an abandoned building outside your town.

It will be much easier for you to find a unique perspective and tell a better story if you’re already familiar with the subject. Also, consider that you might have to return a few times to the same location to get all the photos you need.

2. Follow your passion

Most photo essays take dedication and passion. If you choose a subject that might be easy, but you’re not really into it – the results won’t be as exciting. Taking photos will always be easier and more fun if you’re covering something you’re passionate about.

3. Take your time

A great photo essay is not done in a few hours. You need to put in the time to research it, conceptualizing it, editing, etc. That’s why I previously recommended following your passion because it takes a lot of dedication, and if you’re not passionate about it – it’s difficult to push through.

4. Write a summary or statement

Photo essays are always accompanied by some text. You can do this in the form of an introduction, write captions for each photo or write it as a conclusion. That’s up to you and how you want to present the work.

5. Learn from the masters

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Making a photographic essay takes a lot of practice and knowledge. A great way to become a better photographer and improve your storytelling skills is by studying the work of others. You can go to art shows, review books and magazines and look at the winners in photo contests – most of the time, there’s a category for photo series.

6. Get a wide variety of photos

Think about a story – a literary one. It usually tells you where the story is happening, who is the main character, and it gives you a few details to make you engage with it, right?

The same thing happens with a visual story in a photo essay – you can do some wide-angle shots to establish the scenes and some close-ups to show the details. Make a shot list to ensure you cover all the different angles.

Some of your pictures should guide the viewer in, while others are more climatic and regard the experience they are taking out of your photos.

7. Follow a consistent look

Both in style and aesthetics, all the images in your series need to be coherent. You can achieve this in different ways, from the choice of lighting, the mood, the post-processing, etc.

8. Be self-critical

Once you have all the photos, make sure you edit them with a good dose of self-criticism. Not all the pictures that you took belong in the photo essay. Choose only the best ones and make sure they tell the full story.

9. Ask for constructive feedback

Often, when we’re working on a photo essay project for a long time, everything makes perfect sense in our heads. However, someone outside the project might not be getting the idea. It’s important that you get honest and constructive criticism to improve your photography.

How to Create a Photo Essay in 5 Steps

Credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh

1. Choose your topic

This is the first step that you need to take to decide if your photo essay is going to be narrative or thematic. Then, choose what is it going to be about?

Ideally, it should be something that you’re interested in, that you have something to say about it, and it can connect with other people.

2. Research your topic

To tell a good story about something, you need to be familiar with that something. This is especially true when you want to go deeper and make a compelling photo essay. Day in the life photo essays are a popular choice, since often, these can be performed with friends and family, whom you already should know well.

3. Plan your photoshoot

Depending on what you’re photographing, this step can be very different from one project to the next. For a fine art project, you might need to find a location, props, models, a shot list, etc., while a documentary photo essay is about planning the best time to do the photos, what gear to bring with you, finding a local guide, etc.

Every photo essay will need different planning, so before taking pictures, put in the required time to get things right.

4. Experiment

It’s one thing to plan your photo shoot and having a shot list that you have to get, or else the photo essay won’t be complete. It’s another thing to miss out on some amazing photo opportunities that you couldn’t foresee.

So, be prepared but also stay open-minded and experiment with different settings, different perspectives, etc.

5. Make a final selection

Editing your work can be one of the hardest parts of doing a photo essay. Sometimes we can be overly critical, and others, we get attached to bad photos because we put a lot of effort into them or we had a great time doing them.

Try to be as objective as possible, don’t be afraid to ask for opinions and make various revisions before settling down on a final cut.

7 Photo Essay Topics, Ideas & Examples

Credit: Michelle Leman

• Architectural photo essay

Using architecture as your main subject, there are tons of photo essay ideas that you can do. For some inspiration, you can check out the work of Francisco Marin – who was trained as an architect and then turned to photography to “explore a different way to perceive things”.

You can also lookup Luisa Lambri. Amongst her series, you’ll find many photo essay examples in which architecture is the subject she uses to explore the relationship between photography and space.

• Process and transformation photo essay

This is one of the best photo essay topics for beginners because the story tells itself. Pick something that has a beginning and an end, for example, pregnancy, the metamorphosis of a butterfly, the life-cycle of a plant, etc.

Keep in mind that these topics are linear and give you an easy way into the narrative flow – however, it might be difficult to find an interesting perspective and a unique point of view.

• A day in the life of ‘X’ photo essay

There are tons of interesting photo essay ideas in this category – you can follow around a celebrity, a worker, your child, etc. You don’t even have to do it about a human subject – think about doing a photo essay about a day in the life of a racing horse, for example – find something that’s interesting for you.

• Time passing by photo essay

It can be a natural site or a landmark photo essay – whatever is close to you will work best as you’ll need to come back multiple times to capture time passing by. For example, how this place changes throughout the seasons or maybe even over the years.

A fun option if you live with family is to document a birthday party each year, seeing how the subject changes over time. This can be combined with a transformation essay or sorts, documenting the changes in interpersonal relationships over time.

• Travel photo essay

Do you want to make the jump from tourist snapshots into a travel photo essay? Research the place you’re going to be travelling to. Then, choose a topic.

If you’re having trouble with how to do this, check out any travel magazine – National Geographic, for example. They won’t do a generic article about Texas – they do an article about the beach life on the Texas Gulf Coast and another one about the diverse flavors of Texas.

The more specific you get, the deeper you can go with the story.

• Socio-political issues photo essay

This is one of the most popular photo essay examples – it falls under the category of photojournalism or documental photography. They are usually thematic, although it’s also possible to do a narrative one.

Depending on your topic of interest, you can choose topics that involve nature – for example, document the effects of global warming. Another idea is to photograph protests or make an education photo essay.

It doesn’t have to be a big global issue; you can choose something specific to your community – are there too many stray dogs? Make a photo essay about a local animal shelter. The topics are endless.

• Behind the scenes photo essay

A behind-the-scenes always make for a good photo story – people are curious to know what happens and how everything comes together before a show.

Depending on your own interests, this can be a photo essay about a fashion show, a theatre play, a concert, and so on. You’ll probably need to get some permissions, though, not only to shoot but also to showcase or publish those images.

4 Best Photo Essays in Recent times

Now that you know all the techniques about it, it might be helpful to look at some photo essay examples to see how you can put the concept into practice. Here are some famous photo essays from recent times to give you some inspiration.

Habibi by Antonio Faccilongo

This photo essay wan the World Press Photo Story of the Year in 2021. Faccilongo explores a very big conflict from a very specific and intimate point of view – how the Israeli-Palestinian war affects the families.

He chose to use a square format because it allows him to give order to things and eliminate unnecessary elements in his pictures.

With this long-term photo essay, he wanted to highlight the sense of absence and melancholy women and families feel towards their husbands away at war.

The project then became a book edited by Sarah Leen and the graphics of Ramon Pez.

Picture This: New Orleans by Mary Ellen Mark

The last assignment before her passing, Mary Ellen Mark travelled to New Orleans to register the city after a decade after Hurricane Katrina.

The images of the project “bring to life the rebirth and resilience of the people at the heart of this tale”, – says CNNMoney, commissioner of the work.

Each survivor of the hurricane has a story, and Mary Ellen Mark was there to record it. Some of them have heartbreaking stories about everything they had to leave behind.

Others have a story of hope – like Sam and Ben, two eight-year-olds born from frozen embryos kept in a hospital that lost power supply during the hurricane, yet they managed to survive.

Selfie by Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is an American photographer whose work is mainly done through self-portraits. With them, she explores the concept of identity, gender stereotypes, as well as visual and cultural codes.

One of her latest photo essays was a collaboration with W Magazine entitled Selfie. In it, the author explores the concept of planned candid photos (‘plandid’).

The work was made for Instagram, as the platform is well known for the conflict between the ‘real self’ and the one people present online. Sherman started using Facetune, Perfect365 and YouCam to alter her appearance on selfies – in Photoshop, you can modify everything, but these apps were designed specifically to “make things prettier”- she says, and that’s what she wants to explore in this photo essay.

Tokyo Compression by Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf has an interest in the broad-gauge topic Life in Cities. From there, many photo essays have been derived – amongst them – Tokyo Compression .

He was horrified by the way people in Tokyo are forced to move to the suburbs because of the high prices of the city. Therefore, they are required to make long commutes facing 1,5 hours of train to start their 8+ hour workday followed by another 1,5 hours to get back home.

To portray this way of life, he photographed the people inside the train pressed against the windows looking exhausted, angry or simply absent due to this way of life.

You can visit his website to see other photo essays that revolve around the topic of life in megacities.

Final Words

It’s not easy to make photo essays, so don’t expect to be great at it right from your first project.

Start off small by choosing a specific subject that’s interesting to you –  that will come from an honest place, and it will be a great practice for some bigger projects along the line.

Whether you like to shoot still life or you’re a travel photographer, I hope these photo essay tips and photo essay examples can help you get started and grow in your photography.

Let us know which topics you are working on right now – we’ll love to hear from you!

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Ana Mireles is a Mexican researcher that specializes in photography and communications for the arts and culture sector.

Penelope G. To Ana Mireles Such a well written and helpful article for an writer who wants to inclue photo essay in her memoir. Thank you. I will get to work on this new skill. Penelope G.

Herman Krieger Photo essays in black and white

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Ten examples of immersive photo essays

By Marissa Sapega — Contributing Writer

Photo essays are one of the most powerful forms of storytelling in the last century. From the great depression photographer W. Eugene Smith to the photojournalism of National Geographic or Life Magazine , the best photo essays entertain, educate, and move readers more than words alone ever could. 

But photo essays have changed. Over the last decade, web publishing technologies — including web browsers and file formats — have improved by leaps and bounds. A good photo essays today is more than a collection of images. It’s a truly interactive, immersive, and multimedia experiences.

In this guide, we introduce 10 stunning examples of visually arresting interactive photo essays to fuel your creative juices.

Now, let's set the scene with a short introduction to immersive, interactive photo essays on the web.

What do the BBC, Tripadvisor, and Penguin have in common? They craft stunning, interactive web content with Shorthand. And so can you! Publish your first story for free — no code or web design skills required. Sign up now.

The rise of immersive, interactive photo essays

What is an immersive, interactive photo essay? Let's take these terms one at a time. 

An immersive photo essay uses rich media and story design to capture and keep the reader's attention. Immersive content is typically free of the most distracting elements of the web, such as pop-ups, skyscrapers, and other intrusions on the reading experience.

As a basic rule of thumb, immersive content respects the reader's attention. 

An interactive photo essay is one that allows the reader to control how the content appears. It may include interactive elements, like maps and embedded applications.

More commonly, modern interactive photo stories use a technique known as scrollytelling . Scrollytelling stories allow the reader to trigger animations and other visual effects as they scroll. Many of the examples in this guide use scrollytelling techniques. Read more scrollytelling examples .

Until relatively recently, immersive, interactive photo essays could only be created with the help of a designer or web developer. But with the rise of digital storytelling platforms , anyone can create compelling, dynamic stories without writing a single line of code.

If you're looking to learn more about how to create a photo essay — or are looking for more photo essay ideas  — check out our introduction to photo essays . 

Photo essay topics

If you’re looking for photo essay examples, chances are you’re looking to create a photo essay for yourself. If you’re just getting started, you might want some guidance on exactly what kinds of topics make for great photo essays.

More experienced photographers — feel free to skip this section. But for those who are just starting out, here’s a quick list of classic photo essay subject matter, for all types of photo essays.

• Local events. A great way to start out is photograph local events in your community, such as a high school fundraiser. A bonus is that you’ll have a ready
• Historic sites. Another classic photo essay topic is an exploration of a historic site. This could be a building, a monument, or even just a specific location that has significance.
• Profile of a person. A great way to get to know someone is to profile them in a photo essay. This could be a family member, friend, or even just someone you’ve met.
• Animals in captivity. Another popular subject matter for photo essays is animals in captivity, whether that’s at a zoo or elsewhere.
• A day in the life. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live someone else’s life for a day? Why not find out and document it in a photo essay?
• Street photography. Another great way to practice your photography skills is to head out into the streets and photograph the everyday lives of people around you. The world has plenty of photo essays of cities like New York and London. But what about street photography in your own backyard?
• Still life photography. Still life photography is all about capturing inanimate objects on film. This could be anything from flowers to furniture to food. It’s a great way to practice your photography skills and learn about composition
• Landscapes . Landscape photography is one of the most popular genres, and for good reason. There are endless possibilities when it comes to finding interesting subjects to shoot. So get out there and start exploring!
• Abandoned buildings. There’s something fascinating about abandoned buildings. They offer a glimpse into the past, and can be eerily beautiful. If you have any in your area, they make for great photo essay subjects.
• Lifestyles. Document someone who lives a lifestyle that’s different from your own. This could be a portrayal of an everyday person, or it could be someone with an unusual job or hobby.
• Social issues. Take photos depicting significant social issues in your community, remembering to respect your subjects.

Ten inspiring photo essay examples

Pink lagoon and peculiar galaxies — July’s best science images

In Pink lagoon and peculiar galaxies , Nature present a mesmerising series of images from the natural world. Highlights include:

• a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it photo of rare albino orcas performing feats of synchronized swimming;
• an arresting aerial view of the aftermath of the flash floods in Germany; and,
• a scarlet gawping Venus flytrap sea anemone. 

The best part? Nature publishes similarly powerful photo essays every month, showcasing some of the best and most creative photography of the natural world anywhere on the web.

Vanishing Lands

Vanishing lands — an ominously interesting photo essay from media company Stuff — opens with a bucolic visual featuring meandering sheep flanked by breathtaking mountains that blur into obscurity.

Soon, more awe-inspiring photos of breathtaking New Zealand farmland appear, accompanied by expressive prose whose tone matches the visuals’ stark beauty.

In this unflinchingly honest photographic essay, Stuff takes the viewer behind the scenes with a day in the life of a high country sheep farmer facing an uncertain future. One stunning photo fades into the next as you scroll through, broken only by the occasional noteworthy quote and accompanying narrative.

Olympic photos: Emotion runs high

This emotionally wrought sports story from NBC begins with a close-up of an anxious Simone Biles, her expression exemplifying the tension and frustration echoed on so many of her fellow athletes’ faces.

The subtitle puts it perfectly: “The agony—and thrill—of competition at the Olympics is written all over their faces.”

Devastation, disappointment, and defeat take centre stage in this piece — but not all the subjects of the photos in this compelling photography essay depict misery. Some of the images, like that taken of the gold medal-winning Russian artistic gymnasts, manage to project the athletes’ joy almost beyond the edges of the screen.

The NBC editors who created this visual story chose to display the series of photos using the entire screen width and limit the copy to simple captions, letting the visuals speak for themselves. The result is a riveting montage of photographs that manage to capture the overarching sentiment of the 2020 Olympic Games.

James Epp: A Twist of the Hand

In A Twist of the Hand , the Museum of Classical Archaeology at the University of Cambridge have produced a gorgeous photo essay. This online art show showcases artist James Epp’s installation, combining photographs of the exhibit with images of museum prints and authentic artefacts.

As you scroll down, close-up shots of the installation make you feel like you’re physically wandering among the ancient sculptures, able to examine hairline spider cracks and tiny divots marking the surface of every antiquated figure. In between the photos—and often flanked by museum prints—are James Epp's musings about what inspired him to create the pieces. It’s an absorbing virtual gallery that will no doubt inspire real life visits to the exhibition.

The Café Racer Revolution

Though it’s a cleverly built piece of interactive content marketing , Honda’s “ Café Racer Revolution ” is also a great photo essay. Alongside information about the latest and greatest motorcycles Honda has to offer, it details the history of the bikers who sought to employ motorcycles (specifically “café racers”) as a way to forge an identity for themselves and project a “statement of individuality.”

Scroll down, and nostalgic black-and-white photos give way to contemporary action shots featuring fully decked-out motorcyclists on various Honda models.

Dynamic photos of bikes rotate them 360 degrees when you mouse over them, and text superimposed over flashy shots rolls smoothly down the screen as you scroll. This photo essay will stir a longing to hit the open road for anyone who has ever dreamed of owning one of Honda’s zippy bikes.

Built to keep Black from white

In Built to keep Black from white , NBC News and BridgeDetroit have built a stunning narrative photo essay that encapsulates the history of Detroit’s Birwood Wall — a literal dividing line intended to separate neighborhoods inhabited by people of different races. 

The piece begins with a brief history of the concrete barrier. Between paragraphs of text, it weaves in quotes from residents who grew up as the wall was erected and a short video. Animated maps highlighting the affected neighborhoods unspool across the screen as you scroll down, accompanied by brief explanations of what the maps represent.

In the series of photographs that follow, contemporary images transition into decades-old shots of the wall when it was newly constructed. This is followed by images of original real estate documents, resident portraits, and additional animated maps — each considering the issue from different angles.

The piece ends with an interactive display of how Detroit’s racial makeup has changed over the past several decades, from majority white to black, and how the wall has impacted the lives of its residents who lived (and died) within its borders.

The story of Black Lives Matter in sport

The BBC pairs illustrations and bold imagery in this photo essay on how athletes participated in the Black Lives Matter movement . At the start, a narrow column of text leads into an iconic image of American football players kneeling during the pre-game national anthem in a solemn protest against police brutality. 

The first excerpt, a summary of Trayvon Martin’s death in 2012, draws you in with piercing prose capped off with photographs that bleed into one another. Every account in the photo essay follows this layout.

WaterAid Climate Stories

Climate change affects everyone on the planet, but some people are feeling the effects more than others. WaterAid’s scrollytelling photo essay illuminates the plight of individuals living in areas where extreme weather conditions — caused by climate change — have drastically impacted the water supply and environment, endangering their livelihoods and ability to survive.

This climate change story starts with an engrossing video that provides an up-close and personal look at the devastation that climate change-induced droughts have wreaked on people and the environment. As you scroll down, images of massively depleted bodies of water with superimposed text and quotes unfold before your eyes. It’s an efficient way to drive home the critical message WaterAid wants to convey: climate change is real, and it’s harming real people.

Each extreme weather story focuses on an individual to help viewers empathise and understand that climate change has real, drastic consequences for millions of people worldwide. The piece ends with a call to action to learn more about and financially support WaterAid’s fight to assist people living in the desperate situations depicted in the essay.

28 Days in Afghanistan

In this piece, Australian photo-journalist Andrew Quilty tells the story of the four weeks he spent in Afghanistan . He captures daily events ranging from the mundane—like a casual visit to his barber—to jarring. More than one photo documents blood-spattered victims of violence.

Viewers must scroll through the piece to follow Andrew’s daily musings and the striking photos that accompany them. His photo essay is a powerful example of how scrollytelling is transforming the art of long-form journalism .

La carrera lunática de Musk y Bezos (Musk and Bezos' lunatic careers)

Billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are angling to conquer the final frontier: space.

El Periódico captures their story via a whimsically illustrated photo essay, filled with neon line drawings and bold photos of the massive spaceships, the hangars that house them, and footprints on the moon. La carrera lunática de Musk y Bezos describes the battle between the two titans’ space companies (Blue Origin and SpaceX) for the honor of partially funding NASA’s next mission to the moon.

As you scroll down, white and fluorescent yellow words on a black background roll smoothly over images. The team at El Periódico slips in stylistic animations to break up the text—such as rocket ships with shimmering “vapour trails”—then ups the ante with a series of moon images that transition into portraits of the 12 U.S. astronauts who visited the celestial body.

The photo essay ends with the question: “Who will be the next to leave their footprints on the dusty lunar soil?” At the time of publishing, NASA had not yet decided between the two companies. (Spoiler alert: SpaceX won .)

Marissa Sapega is a seasoned writer, editor, and digital marketer with a background in web and graphic design.

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Why is photography important?

Photographs play an important role in everyone's lives because they allow us to keep in touch with the past and bring back fond memories of special times, people, and places. They can provide light on who we are and how we got here. Unfortunately, this is the case for many people who spent their formative years in a children's home or other institution; for these people, images take on an even greater significance since they lack access to the kinds of photographs that the rest of us take for granted.

That thought has probably occurred to you at some point in your life. When we could be snuggled up in bed, warm and cosy, there's no good reason to wake up at 4 a.m. to capture pictures of the sunrise. We could be watching TV or hanging out with our friends, but instead we spend countless hours perfecting our compositions and mastering the principles of photography.

The question is why we keep going even on the days when we feel completely uninspired and it's the hardest thing in the world to hit the shutter button. Can you explain what it is about images that makes them so captivating?

If they don't, you should rethink that decision. If you need advice on your wedding photography, check out our photography packages and services at Wild Romantic Photography .

Let’s get started.

What is Photography

Photography, from the Greek photos (light) and graphé (drawing), is the source of the English word (drawing). It's a lot like making a light drawing.

• Photography, in other words, is the practise of capturing and eternally preserving a moment in time.

Thanks to photography, we can now visualise the past, depict the present, and imagine the future. The camera obscura was the forerunner to the modern digital camera.

In the past, paintings were the most common way to depict significant moments in time. Since the invention of photography, humans have had the ability to create instantaneous and enduring works of art using light.

What’s the purpose of photography?

• Photography's major purposes are communication and the recording of ephemeral moments in time.

When you show someone a photo you took with your camera, you are essentially giving them a window into a specific time and place. Presently, there is a wealth of information available on a wide range of topics, from the state of the world to the activities of its inhabitants.

For example, if you're a city-based photojournalist, your work will be kept in archives long after it's first published. The photographs will provide future generations a view into the past, perhaps 50 years from now.

To be a wedding photographer is to be entrusted by a newlywed couple with documenting one of the most meaningful days of their lives. This endeavour seeks to record times of happiness, affection, and amusement. They will look at these pictures and think of you always.

Your wedding photographs will become your most prized keepsake after the big day. Not sure where to start when it comes to looking for your wedding photographer of choice?

Importance of Photography

One's ability to see artistically through photography. Regardless of your level of expertise, photography is an important tool for preserving memories and telling stories. We can classify the benefits of photography as follows.

Photos represent what’s important

Every one of us has precious memories captured in images stashed away in our homes and on our portable gadgets.

One of photography's key benefits is that it may keep precious memories alive for generations to come. It freezes time so you can look back on it and enjoy it even years after it was taken.

If you browse through individuals's photo collections, you'll likely find images of the people and things that mean the most to them, whether that's their family, friends, pets, or special places. You capture the things that are meaningful to you in your life with photographs. The pictures you shoot will add up to a narrative of your journey.

History through images

Photographs have the potential to transform the way we learn about and experience the past. Images let individuals relate to one another and also shed light on the past.

Images are preserved from one generation to the next, providing insight into not just the past but also the present in terms of clothing, architecture, transportation, and fauna.

• One reason why photographs are so useful in the study of history is that many people find it easier to learn about historical topics through visual means.

You don't even have to go far from home to get some truly breathtaking shots. In the convenience of your own residence, you can record priceless family occasions. Taking up photography as a pastime is great because it forces you to document your experiences. This allows you to create cherished memories with your loved ones by telling them stories about your life.

Over time, a lot of pictures become stored away. Several of the photographs were firsts in their field. Thanks to other people's insights, we learned more about ourselves and the world. They showed us things that we hadn't seen or recalled, and we didn't know they existed.

Countless additional images, in addition to these classic ones, also play a significant role in shaping our past. Opinions and improved decision-making in the future are both possible thanks to their assistance.

• Photographs not only have the potential to change the future, but also to help us better understand the past.

Photos are stories

There’s a story behind every image. By looking at a picture, you can conclude many things about it:

• When asked, "What do they like?"
• Away from us...
• The age range is...
• And how are they feeling about it?
• Look at the pictures you've taken of your loved ones, and you'll be carried back to that time and place, and you'll always know there's a tale behind every snapshot.

Tell me about the events of that morning. When did you leave, and where did you go? For what purpose did you snap that photo?

Photos evoke emotions

Have you ever looked at an old photo and remembered feeling the same way you did when you took it? As such is the potency of the photographic medium.

You don't get emotional about a picture because it's pretty; you get emotional about the feelings it captures.

Self-expression

Photography's relevance lies in its role as a means of self-expression, which is one of the strongest arguments in its favour. This excellent creative outlet allows you to communicate your innermost thoughts, beliefs, and passions.

One of the best parts is that you can do whatever you want to do. No of the "rules" or the techniques employed, photography has no bounds. All of your feelings and thoughts can be communicated in any method that works for you.

Standing on a beach with white sand and blue sea is soothing on a sunny day. It makes perfect sense to document the moment with a photo. Unfortunately, the final photo does not look very good. Many individuals have probably previously seen this photograph.

• In order to take striking photographs, you must challenge yourself.
• You need to be in the rain.
• You need to be in the cold.
• You need to be on the mountain.
• You need to be on the ground.
• You need to be somewhere dangerous.
• You need to get the shot.

Photography is an Art

Hobbies are important for mental health and happiness. Fantastic pastimes.

Investing numerous hours into a single pastime activity like watching Netflix or playing World of Warcraft is not a hobby. They're fun, easygoing, and occasionally fascinating. Contrarily, they are not something to be celebrated as a major success.

Taking up photography, which is both a pastime and an art form, can be done at any age. Whenever is most practical for you.

In order to participate in this pastime, you will need to get a camera (even if it's just a smartphone camera) and study basic photography techniques. Due to this, you can exhibit your originality.

It's possible to put your own personal touch to images in the same way that painters can to paintings. The use of light in painting is a relatively recent development. Software programmes allow for the modification and customization of photographs.

In this space, you are free to play around with different colour schemes, lighting setups, and contrasts. You can use the precision of science and the versatility of digital tools to compose images out of the elements of visual art. Through photography, you may show the world as YOU, the artist, see it.

Photography makes us artists

One of the many benefits of photography is that it provides a platform for personal artistic expression. The stunning scenery or the aged face of a stranger inspires us to pull out our cameras.

• Participants' motivations may vary, but they will all share an interest in creating something original.

No matter how unremarkable our 9-to-5 jobs are, if we take even a few minutes out of our day to create a picture, we are artists. The feeling is very pleasant.

Photography inspires

Traveling, having fun, and appreciating one's surroundings are all things that might be inspired by photography. It may help you appreciate the little things in life that could otherwise be taken for granted.

Taking pictures inspires you to have the desire to experience more and take risks. Looking for a Yarra Valley wedding photographer ? Look no further! Wild Romantic Photography has you covered.

Builds connections

• A passion for photography can open doors to meeting interesting individuals and developing meaningful relationships with them.

Photos of you strengthen relationships with loved ones who are unable to see you on a regular basis. It's a great way to stay in touch with loved ones who live far away.

• One picture has the potential to motivate individuals all across the world to make positive changes in their lives.
• Multiple powerful images inspire people to make positive changes in their life.

Human rights, climate change, and animal abuse are all concerns that must be discussed because they cannot be ignored in today's world.

Photos that move us in some manner have changed us forever. Even if others disagree with you, you know in your heart that this is the right thing to do.

Photography doesn’t judge

Anyone of any age, gender, or race can enjoy the benefits of photography and photo storage. To capture the moments you want to remember, you don't need a high-priced camera, and any camera will suffice (including the one on your phone). To get started, it doesn't matter where you are or what time it is.

Photography is a Language

Everybody can comprehend what you're saying if you only use words plainly in sentences, tell stories, make blog entries, and send messages.

Creating your own visual language is essential when working with pictures. Deep thinking and creative expression are required for this task.

Color, contrast, and composition are just few of the tools at your disposal for using photography to convey meaning and tell tales. The goal is to develop a vocabulary that can convey meanings beyond the scope of conventional verbal communication.

Photography Can Help You Make Money

Start making money from your photography by selling them to different clients. After studying photography and improving one's skills, one can use photography to earn a living in a number of different fields.

Planning your dream wedding and don’t want to miss out on the special moments on your big day? Worry no more, Wild Romantic Photography has you covered.

Join a stock photography site or sell your prints on an auction website. You may create a website or try your hand at real estate photography. The lesson here is that you can make money off of just about everything you're good at doing. Even if it's only a hobby at first, it could end up paying the bills.

Photography is Important for Your Business

In the modern era of the Internet and social media, business owners may utilise photography to reach out to new audiences and increase sales. Publishing photographs of your items or company on various web platforms might increase the reach of your content marketing efforts.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and it's true. It's a great tool for attracting new business, promoting brand recognition, and educating consumers about your offerings.

REASONS WHY PHOTOGRAPHY IS IMPORTANT IN TODAY’S SOCIETY

Connect with the world.

Even if you can't speak any languages besides your own, you understand the truth behind the adage "a picture is worth a thousand words." Because photos are a language that can be understood and felt by anybody, anywhere in the world, photography has the power to bring you closer to individuals all over the globe. Because the viewer's own feelings will come through in the portrait or street photography snap, a caption is unnecessary.

Capture history

Photography affords us the chance to record historical events as they happen. You collect information that will be irreplaceable to archaeologists in the future, and you preserve reality as it is in a particular time frame, covering everything from politics to sports to music and even everyday life.

See the beauty in your everyday life

Develop a practise of noticing the little things and learning to see the world in a fresh way; we know you're already doing this when you patiently wait for the perfect moment and search for the perfect composition in every photo you take.

Finding the unique character and charm in every facet of your environment will help you learn more than you ever imagined. There won't be a dull corner or static section of sky to be found on the hunt for the perfect shot. You'll find that the people and locations you frequent, as well as the streets themselves, are increasingly interesting to others.

Tell your story

Present reality is all that matters. Whether or whether others can relate to you, you will have the chance to portray the world as you see it, and others will learn about you through the photos you post. You should share your experience now since there is always a tale to be told and today is the right time to do it.

Make you feel happier

You are an artist of reality, as photography is an art form that you practise. Taking pictures gives you just the right amount of happiness that comes from making something original all by yourself; this is something that is truly unique and you should do it as often as you can. We have an exclusive range of wedding photography Mornington Peninsula services. Check them out here.

Discover the many diverse approaches to photography, and get acquainted with the various types of cameras. Photography is more than just snapping pictures with your phone. Get out of your head and into the real world without the blank screen constantly filtering your thoughts for you.

Check out the fun and exciting world of interchangeable lenses, or enjoy the immediate gratification of an instant camera. Photography is a rich source of personal growth and development because it mixes creative expression with scientific investigation.

Learn History

Photography is an essential medium that has been used to document our history and bring attention to important moments and figures. Many people throughout history have used this as their primary means of communication. Consider some of the most well-known snapshots from the last two centuries as a way to honour those who came before us.

Another option is to visit local archives to see how much photographic content has already been produced in your area, hopefully inspiring you to continue the cycle by creating your own images.

Find your message

Think about what you enjoy most about photography; that's a fantastic place to start figuring out what you want to say. The process of establishing your voice is similar to discovering your message. Perhaps you have a deep appreciation for photography and feel strongly about using it to advocate for the protection of endangered species. Once you know exactly what you want to say, it will be easy to inspire yourself to prepare and shoot more.

Take time to go through your old photos and print them out

You've spent years amassing a massive photo collection, and those files now consume the vast majority of your cloud storage. Now is the time to look back on all the great experiences you've had and assess how your photography has evolved.

Once you've found any that you like, don't be hesitant to print them out. Relax and enjoy the memories you've recorded; after all, the point of photography is to show them to others.

Explore the art of the selfie

One may be forgiven for believing this is a new phenomenon, yet artists have always been preoccupied with creating likenesses of themselves. The first known selfie was snapped by Philadelphian Robert Cornelius in 1839, and it's still a topic of conversation today. Selfies are capable of conveying more than just your current disposition; they can even lead to the composition of an entire narrative.

Some of the more well-liked schemes involve repeating the same composition in various locations throughout the world or taking a photo of oneself every day for an entire year. What makes this idea so revolutionary is that it ensures that you, no matter who else adopts it, will be different.

If you’d like to work with professional photographers for your wedding, book with us at Wild Romantic Photography .

One of photography's key benefits is that it allows us to record and relive some of life's most precious moments. It will allow us to show the world in all its glory, warts and all. It forces us to confront the serious problems we face and rise to the occasion.

Photography's major purposes are communication and the recording of ephemeral moments in time. Since the invention of photography, humans have had the ability to create works of art using light. Thanks to photography, we can now visualise the past, depict the present, and imagine the future. To be a wedding photographer is to be entrusted by a newlywed couple with documenting one of the most meaningful days of their lives. Photography is an important tool for preserving memories and telling stories.

Images let individuals relate to one another and also shed light on the past. Taking up photography is great because it forces you to document your experiences. It allows you to create cherished memories with your loved ones by telling them stories about your life. Photographs have the potential to change the future, and also to help us better understand the past. Photography is both a pastime and an art form.

It's possible to put your own personal touch to images in the same way that painters can to paintings. Through photography, you may show the world as YOU, the artist, see it. The feeling is very pleasant. Anyone can enjoy the benefits of photography and photo storage. A passion for photography can open doors to meeting interesting individuals.

It's a great way to stay in touch with loved ones who live far away. You don't need a high-priced camera, and any camera will suffice. Photography is an important tool for business owners to use to reach out to new audiences and increase sales. Join a stock photography site or sell your prints on an auction website. Develop a practise of noticing the little things in everyday life and learning to see the world in a fresh way.

You are an artist of reality, as photography is an art form that you practise. Discover the many diverse approaches to photography, and get acquainted with the various types of cameras. Get out of your head and into the real world without the blank screen filtering your thoughts for you. The first known selfie was snapped by Robert Cornelius in 1839, and it's still a topic of conversation today. Selfies are capable of conveying more than just your current disposition.

They can also lead to the composition of an entire narrative. Some of the more well-liked schemes involve repeating the same composition in various locations.

Content Summary:

• Photographs play an important role in everyone's lives because they allow us to keep in touch with the past and bring back fond memories of special times, people, and places.
• Unfortunately, this is the case for many people who spent their formative years in a children's home or other institution; for these people, images take on an even greater significance since they lack access to the kinds of photographs that the rest of us take for granted.
• That thought has probably occurred to you at some point in your life.
• Can you explain what it is about images that makes them so captivating?If they don't, you should rethink that decision.
• If you need advice on your wedding photography, check out our photography packages and services at Wild Romantic Photography.
• Thanks to photography, we can now visualise the past, depict the present, and imagine the future.
• For example, if you're a city-based photojournalist, your work will be kept in archives long after it's first published.
• The photographs will provide future generations a view into the past, perhaps 50 years from now.
• To be a wedding photographer is to be entrusted by a newlywed couple with documenting one of the most meaningful days of their lives.
• Your wedding photographs will become your most prized keepsake after the big day.
• Not sure where to start when it comes to looking for your wedding photographer of choice?
• One's ability to see artistically through photography.
• Regardless of your level of expertise, photography is an important tool for preserving memories and telling stories.
• We can classify the benefits of photography as follows.
• One of photography's key benefits is that it may keep precious memories alive for generations to come.
• You capture the things that are meaningful to you in your life with photographs.
• The pictures you shoot will add up to a narrative of your journey.
• Photographs have the potential to transform the way we learn about and experience the past.
• Images let individuals relate to one another and also shed light on the past.
• In the convenience of your own residence, you can record priceless family occasions.
• Taking up photography as a pastime is great because it forces you to document your experiences.
• This allows you to create cherished memories with your loved ones by telling them stories about your life.
• There's a story behind every image.
• As such is the potency of the photographic medium.
• Photography's relevance lies in its role as a means of self-expression, which is one of the strongest arguments in its favour.
• It makes perfect sense to document the moment with a photo.
• Hobbies are important for mental health and happiness.
• Fantastic pastimes.
• Investing numerous hours into a single pastime activity like watching Netflix or playing World of Warcraft is not a hobby.
• Taking up photography, which is both a pastime and an art form, can be done at any age.
• Whenever is most practical for you.
• In order to participate in this pastime, you will need to get a camera (even if it's just a smartphone camera) and study basic photography techniques.
• It's possible to put your own personal touch to images in the same way that painters can to paintings.
• Through photography, you may show the world as YOU, the artist, see it.
• Photography makes us artists One of the many benefits of photography is that it provides a platform for personal artistic expression.
• Taking pictures inspires you to have the desire to experience more and take risks.
• Photos of you strengthen relationships with loved ones who are unable to see you on a regular basis.
• Anyone of any age, gender, or race can enjoy the benefits of photography and photo storage.
• To capture the moments you want to remember, you don't need a high-priced camera, and any camera will suffice (including the one on your phone).
• Creating your own visual language is essential when working with pictures.
• Colour, contrast, and composition are just a few of the tools at your disposal for using photography to convey meaning and tell tales.
• Start making money from your photography by selling them to different clients.
• After studying photography and improving one's skills, one can use photography to earn a living in a number of different fields.
• Join a stock photography site or sell your prints on an auction website.
• You may create a website or try your hand at real estate photography.
• The lesson here is that you can make money off of just about everything you're good at doing.
• Even if it's only a hobby at first, it could end up paying the bills.
• In the modern era of the Internet and social media, business owners may utilise photography to reach out to new audiences and increase sales.
• Publishing photographs of your items or company on various web platforms might increase the reach of your content marketing efforts.
• They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and it's true.
• It's a great tool for attracting new business, promoting brand recognition, and educating consumers about your offerings.
• Because photos are a language that can be understood and felt by anybody, anywhere in the world, photography has the power to bring you closer to individuals all over the globe.
• Photography affords us the chance to record historical events as they happen.
• See the beauty in your everyday life. Develop a practise of noticing the little things and learning to see the world in a fresh way; we know you're already doing this when you patiently wait for the perfect moment and search for the perfect composition in every photo you take.
• Finding the unique character and charm in every facet of your environment will help you learn more than you ever imagined.
• You'll find that the people and locations you frequent, as well as the streets themselves, are increasingly interesting to others.
• Whether or not others can relate to you, you will have the chance to portray the world as you see it, and others will learn about you through the photos you post.
• You should share your experience now since there is always a tale to be told and today is the right time to do it.
• Make you feel happier You are an artist of reality, as photography is an art form that you practise.
• We have an exclusive range of wedding photography Mornington Peninsula services.
• Discover the many diverse approaches to photography, and get acquainted with the various types of cameras.
• Photography is more than just snapping pictures with your phone.
• Photography is an essential medium that has been used to document our history and bring attention to important moments and figures.
• Think about what you enjoy most about photography; that's a fantastic place to start figuring out what you want to say.
• The process of establishing your voice is similar to discovering your message.
• Once you know exactly what you want to say, it will be easy to inspire yourself to prepare and shoot more.
• Take time to go through your old photos and print them out You've spent years amassing a massive photo collection, and those files now consume the vast majority of your cloud storage.
• Now is the time to look back on all the great experiences you've had and assess how your photography has evolved.
• Once you've found any that you like, don't be hesitant to print them out.
• Relax and enjoy the memories you've recorded; after all, the point of photography is to show them to others.
• Explore the art of the selfie One may be forgiven for believing this is a new phenomenon, yet artists have always been preoccupied with creating likenesses of themselves.
• Some of the more well-liked schemes involve repeating the same composition in various locations throughout the world or taking a photo of oneself every day for an entire year.
• If you'd like to work with professional photographers for your wedding, book with us at Wild Romantic Photography.
• One of photography's key benefits is that it allows us to record and relive some of life's most precious moments.
• It will allow us to show the world in all its glory, warts and all.

FAQs About Photography

Photographs play an important role in everyone's life – they connect us to our past, they remind us of people, places, feelings, and stories. They can help us to know who we are.

Photography has the power to inspire many people and could lead to a change for the better. It's also a visual learning tool that helps non-verbal people communicate. Photography is important because it opens a view into a person's mind and allows them to convey messages.

With the proper camera and vision, photography can make your life much better. It can help lift our spirits when we are down, help us look beyond the disappointments life can sometimes throw at us and spark our creativity and imagination.

Teaching with objects and photographs creates a direct, sensory connection between learners and their subjects, resulting in new levels of interest and attention. Teaching with objects also gives students with higher levels of visual literacy.

Stopping and looking at a situation through your lens. Then planning the image you are going to create is how photography makes us look for the beauty in everything. The mundane, the sad, the unexpected and the everyday. For everything that happens in life, we can learn to be thankful.