STORYTELLING IN DEPTH

It’s not a novel idea anymore, to be a photographer who calls himself / herself a storyteller. But what does that actually mean? And more importantly, why should you care when it’s time to choose the right person to capture a moment in your life?

At its core, storytelling is about capturing emotion, context and connection. It’s about the why behind the moment, not just the who. A standard engagement photo might show a couple, hand in hand. Telling the couple’s story might show a series of images where the couple embraces and twirls, images that show the couple from behind sharing a sweet smile or the groom’s hand gently resting on the small of his soon-to-be bride’s back as they walk through the door. These are the details that bring a story to life - the unscripted moments that not only reflect who you are but what these moments in your life feel like.

Storytelling photographers will pay attention to the nuances of who you are, what makes you and your relationships unique and special. They’ll notice the moments in between and they’ll be ready to capture them. If you want images that transport you, make your heart flutter or your face flush, storytelling is what you’re looking for.

So How Do You Know if a Photographer is a Storyteller?

Here are a few signs to look for:

• their portfolio shows moments, not just poses

• they ask questions about you, your relationships and what matters most to you

• they value emotion and connection as much as lighting and composition

• they allow you to feel safe, seen and comfortable in front of the camera

This photography isn’t about buzzwords or clickbait. It’s about creating images that speak to your soul - the kind that make you smile, make you cry and make you remember how precious life is.