A photo story, also called a photo essay, is basically storytelling through pictures. It's a powerful way to capture the heart of an event, a moment, or even a person's experience all without needing a single word (although captions help!).

Whether it's a pep rally, a drama production, or a day in the life of the cafeteria crew, a photo story lets you show what happened, how it felt, and why it mattered.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: KNOW YOUR STORY

Before even picking up the camera, figure out what story you're trying to tell. Is it a timeline of an event? A behind-the-scenes look at a performance? A day in the life of a student?

Once you've got your focus, make a shot list:

• 1 person
• 2 people
• Small group
• Large group
• Wide shots, close-ups, and details
• Action verbs like "cheering", "coaching", "laughing", "setting up"

This gives you a plan but stay flexible! Sometimes the best stories unfold in ways you didn't expect.

CAPTURE THE WHOLE PICTURE

A great photo story has variety. Think of it like a movie made of still frames:

• Start with a dominant photo that introduces the story.
• Use supporting photos to show different angles, emotions, and moments.
• Mix up your shots: wide, medium, tight, high, low, horizontal, vertical.
  
  

BUILD THE NARRATIVE

There are two main ways to structure your photo story:

• Time-based: beginning, middle, end (perfect for events).
• Space-based: Wide, medium, tight, detail (great for places or routines).

Either way, your goal is to guide the viewer through the story in a way that feels natural and complete.

BE PRESENT, NOT PUSHY

When photographing people, especially in more personal or emotional settings:

• Introduce yourself before pulling out your camera.
• Ask for permission.
• Chat with your subjects…let them tell you what matters to them.
• Be open to the story changing as you go.

And when you're done? Share a few photos with them. Let them know they'll be in the yearbook. It's a great way to build trust and excitement!

THINK LIKE A NEWCOMER

Imagine you're showing your photo story to someone who knows absolutely nothing about the event. Would they understand what happened? Would they feel something? Look for:

• tableaus (scenes that feel arranged or symbolic)
• reactions and interactions
• details that tell a bigger story (a scuffed shoe, a nervous glance, a high-five)
  
  

TIPS FOR SHOOTING A GREAT PHOTO STORY

• Be patient, and don't rush. Let the story unfold.
• Be honest. Choose stories you care about.
• Shoot lots. Give yourself options when editing.
• Shoot from different angles and distances.
• Use captions to add context or highlight what's unique about each photo.
• Keep your theme in mind. Does the story support the overall vibe of your book?
  
  

LAYING OUT YOUR PHOTO STORIES

Visit Volume 9: Layout for more on how to place your story on a spread, but here's a few main things to think about:

• Start with your strongest, most eye-catching image.
• Arrange the rest to guide the viewer through the story.
• Make sure the photos work together, not just as a bunch of cool shots but as a cohesive whole.
• Variety is key, but unity matters too. Look for recurring colours, moods, or subjects to tie it all together.