Storytelling // Intro to the Photo Essay

Helpful links to look at:

How to use visual storytelling in the marketing world.

A Photoessay: The Framework

What a photo essay actually looks like:

  1.  Star with a brief intro of 1-2 paragraphs that discuss your project. The goal is to introduce your topic, and get the viewers excited to look at your photos.

  2. Lead photo--strong image that draws your audience in.  

  3. Set the stage--show the scene or location

  4. Include detail shots that focus on important aspects of your story

  5. Include portraits, and a portrait of subject(s) surrounded by their environment

  6. Action shots

  7. End with the clincher--it should evoke emotion

Unity- you want all of your photos to be viewed as one story. Stay open-minded. Keep a good pace. Do lots of research before you start shooting. Try to stay open-minded.


Examples of Photo essays we looked at in class:

https://www.moms.com/around-the-world-20-family-dinners/

https://www.magnumphotos.com/newsroom/society/w-eugene-smith-country-doctor/

http://www.jesseneider.com/stories-series/beyond-the-dark-usa/04720100903_blind_postbirth_0096l-3w/

https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/josh-haner

https://bittersoutherner.com/lets-stay-together-jamie-harmon-quarantine-portrait-series-memphis