4 Goals when taking pictures that tell a story

Pictures can transport us into a narrative woven with emotions, connections, and timeless tales.

Let’s explore how photography, like a painter’s brush or a writer’s pen, becomes a captivating tool for storytelling.

When we hire a photographer, we expect to get the staple picture where everyone is looking at the camera smiling. When we share that picture, the observer can imagine the photographer instructing everyone to “stand close together, look at me, and smile”. But within that frozen frame could lie a tale of frustration where a loving mother tries to soothe her wiggly child who does not want to sit still.

In the days before my own journey into photography, I entrusted my dear friend Veronika to capture our family’s pictures. It was not the typical portrait I sought but a glimpse into our very souls—the tapestry of our personalities, interests, faith, and boundless play. *This type of photography is also known as Lifestyle photography. However, there’s a slight difference between storytelling and Lifestyle photography but more about that later. I orchestrated events, and Veronika, with her lens, became our silent storyteller. I wanted anyone who looked at those pictures to be transported into a narrative, whether true or imagined, where they saw the plot unfold before their eyes. They became part of the story, perhaps even picturing their own family engaged in similar adventures. And as I look back upon those cherished photographs, I recall the pure joy we experienced in those fleeting moments. Such as the time when we had a picnic or roasted marshmallows. The camera, almost forgotten, captured our genuine smiles, real emotions, and the essence of that joyous occasion. The image now serves as a portal, transporting us back to that time of mirth and revelry. And yet, it is those authentic moments, rather than the posed portraits, that I hold most dear.

So the goal for these pictures are

1. For the pictures to tell the story of what is happening.
2. The candid moments and expressions are real.
3. The family remembers a good moment and experience when they look at the picture.
4. Someone looking at the picture can become part of the story, perhaps even picturing their own family engaged in similar adventures.

This is the kind of photography I invite you to hire me for. The pictures will tell a story and remind you of a beautiful moment in your life. Whether it’s a serene landscape or an intimate moment between loved ones, we’ll learn how to cultivate our imagination to hear the whispers of untold tales.

Follow me and discover the secrets of storytelling photography. Allow me to guide you towards freezing these precious moments, capturing the essence of your journey through life in the most enchanting and evocative ways. Together, we shall embark on an extraordinary odyssey, where the realms of reality and imagination merge, forever etching your story upon the tapestry of time.

STORYTELLING CHALLENGE: Discover the power of a single photograph to weave captivating narratives. Find or capture an image brimming with action, whether it be children catching bugs or someone delicately plucking flowers. Now, immerse yourself in the realm of storytelling by crafting two short tales—one true, and one fiction. Engage your audience by inviting them to guess which story is real or encouraging them to create their own interpretation of the captivating scene before them.

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