Three Tips for Telling a Story With Every Image
Do you want to make your images more meaningful? Then I have three quick and easy steps for you. Anyone can take photographs of their friends, family, or kids. However, taking images that capture the moment and tell a story can be trickier because while saying "cheese" and snapping a picture will freeze the face, it won't capture the story. It doesn't matter if you use a camera or a phone. These tips will highlight the story on the other side of any lens.
One: Don't Interrupt
Be careful not to stop or freeze the moment. Eye contact photographs can be great, but when you freeze what people are doing to get “the perfect picture", you actually disrupt the emotions that are accompanying that moment thus making the original story impossible to capture.
For example: Father and Daughter aren’t looking at the camera in this image but there is a special moment of connection happening between them as she holds her Daddy’s hand and he points out a large bird to her that’s flying through that valley blow.
Two: Prioritize Composition
Remember that the surroundings are the setting for the story. Therefore, think about what content you are choosing to include or exclude. When you compose an image you are choosing how to frame the moment and this frame will inevitably influence the message and prioritize certain aspects within the image.
For example: this image has a clear composition choice. Much of the landscape is included telling the story of this couple overlooking the view that they hope will be the backdrop for their wedding someday.
Three: Be Patient
If you truly want images that tell a story, then you have to be patient. Know when it is the right time to pull out the camera or phone. Are people going to roll their eyes because you are taking another picture? Or are they invested in the moment and they won't mind? The story telling moment can only happen when you allow people to live and you capture them in their experience.
For example: this image is powerful, but I had to be patient to capture it. Grandpa and Granddaughter were done with their photographs and walking back to the car when they had this sweet moment. It wasn’t posed, and it actually happened because they thought I was no longer taking photos.
Although the example images above do not include people facing the camera itself each of these principles can be applied to any situation. So now you have three steps to help you tell a story with the images you take. Whether you are using a camera or just a phone I believe in you and I hope you enjoy taking your photographs to the next level. If you would like to download my free guide that goes over each of these three steps with more examples then click the button below.
As always, if you have any questions, would like to talk, or book a session then feel free to reach out! Until next time enjoy taking pictures of your friends and family like a pro!
