photo credit: Chris LeBoutillier

The subject of your photo story should be something that evokes emotions and captures the attention of your audience. It should be something that people can relate to, and that has a clear narrative arc.

photo credit: Andrew Furtada

Accessible subjects are those that you can easily reach and interact with. This proximity allows you to be present during important moments, capture spontaneous events, and have better control over the narrative. Being familiar with the subject matter allows you to understand its nuances, context, and cultural significance. This understanding helps you tell a more authentic and meaningful story, as you can capture subtle details that might be overlooked by an outsider.

photo credit: Rémi Walle

When you choose a subject that is accessible to you, you have the opportunity to build trust with the people or communities involved. Establishing trust is essential for gaining access to intimate moments and creating a genuine portrayal of the subject.

photo credit: Uyen Nguyen

Accessible subjects often involve people, communities, or environments that you have a connection to or can establish a relationship with. This connection helps in navigating ethical considerations, ensuring that your storytelling respects the dignity and privacy of those involved.

photo credit: Nubelson Fernandes

Research your subject thoroughly to understand its context, history, and significance. Plan the key moments you want to capture to tell a cohesive and impactful story.

photo credit: UX Indonesia

Before you start taking photos, plan out the shots you want to capture. Think about how each photo will fit into the overall story and how they will work together to convey the message. Shots should include a strong opening image, action/interaction photo, some strong portraits of your main subject/s, detail shots and a powerful closing image.

photo credit: Mark Timberlake

Each photo in your story should be visually interesting and well-composed. Pay attention to lighting, color, and framing to make sure each shot is strong on its own.

photo credit: Brigitta Schneiter

To keep your photo story engaging, use a mix of close-ups, wide shots, and action shots. This will help to break up the visual monotony and add depth to your story.

photo credit: Ksenia Makagonova

Emotions are a powerful tool for storytelling. Try to capture moments that evoke a range of emotions, from joy to sadness to hope.

photo credit: Malte Helmhold

Captions can provide context and add another layer to your story. Use them to provide information that is not immediately evident in the photos themselves.

photo credit: Glenn Carstens-Peters

Once you have captured all of your shots, be ruthless in your editing. Choose only the strongest images that contribute to the overall story, and discard any that do not.