As a photographer, you have the immense power to tell stories through your images. Whether you shoot weddings, portraits, or landscapes, every photo has the potential to convey a unique narrative. When done right, viewers become immersed in the scene, experiencing the emotions and connections you intend to share.
Choose a central theme or idea
Before picking up your camera, spend time brainstorming the overarching concept or message you want your images to communicate. Are you trying to showcase the whimsical joy of childhood? Document a couple’s unwavering love through 50 years of marriage. Convey the still serenity of nature? Identify the core theme that connects your photos into a cohesive visual storyline. Discuss ideas with your clients to align on an approach. Write down adjectives that describe the mood and feeling you want to achieve. This creative work upfront is essential to snapping shots that collectively “tell a story.”
Plan shot lists that pull viewers in
Once you’ve defined your theme and locations, thoughtfully plan the individual shots to compile. Outline a logical sequence that pulls viewers in, arouses curiosity, and takes them on a journey through your images mix wider establishing shots with tighter close-ups. Vary perspectives and angles. Use natural transitions like a child laughing to a close-up of their joyful expression. Your shot list should flow seamlessly from one image to the next. Assign a purpose to every image so each plays a role in advancing the overarching story.
Leverage stylistic choices to set a mood
Tony Ebersole Photography you also get to choose how to portray your story through creative styles and aesthetics. Do you want a bright, ethereal look or moody black-and-white? Shoot warm images in the glow of golden hour or cooler tones in soft shade? Frame subjects prominently in the foreground or small in a vast landscape? Use natural light or off-camera flashes? Shoot candid interactions or posed portraits? Narrow your aperture for dreamy bokeh or widen it for sharp details? Consider how your stylistic choices reinforce the desired mood and emotional experience of your photo narrative.
Capture authentic emotional moments
Great storytelling images are honest, not staged. Rather than posing people and forcing expressions, be patient and observant. Notice fleeting instants that reveal authentic emotion: a shared smile between spouses, the unbridled laugh of a child, and peaceful contemplation in nature. Emotions like love, joy, wonder, and calm can’t be easily faked. To photograph these moments genuinely, stay alert and ready. You may only get a few seconds to snap that perfect, storytelling reaction.
Shoot more than you need
It’s always better to have too many options than too few when curating images later. Don’t just take one or two shots of a moment before moving on. Burst multiple frames to vary angles and capture nuanced changes in expression. You pare down a robust set of images, but you can’t recreate missing shots. Additionally, give yourself options for pacing your sequence. More photos allow you to insert breaks and pauses between key story beats for greater impact. Shooting abundantly gives you creative flexibility in post-production.
