As a storyteller and conservation wildlife photojournalist, I am driven to capture compelling stories with my camera. Whether documenting the wonders of nature, showcasing scientific discoveries, or highlighting the efforts of NGOs on the front lines of protecting our wild spaces, my work serves as a powerful tool to raise awareness and inspire action on conservation issues.
My career has taken me across the globe to communicate important conservation stories. Learning how to tell a good story can enhance many aspects of your career beyond photography. It has enabled me to become a better writer, artist, and communicator, and it can even help establish relationships with brands. Story is at the heart of everything; once you learn how to find it, doors will open for you.
Telling stories through art has been an integral part of human culture for thousands of years. These stories connect us, and art preserves them in history forever. In today’s rapidly changing world, there has never been a more perfect moment to be a conservation photographer. Climate and environmental stories are in abundance, often right in our backyards. As an aspiring visual storyteller, starting locally offers numerous advantages. It allows you to connect with your community, immerse yourself in the story and its characters without time constraints, and refine your photography skills until you capture the perfect shots.
A well-crafted conservation photo story can evoke emotions, educate the public, and inspire change. The key to telling a compelling visual story is to lead with your heart; it is this heartfelt approach that brings the magic. Here’s a step-by-step guide from my experience to creating a compelling conservation photo story.
1. Find Your Passion
Before picking up the camera, you need to find your “why” – the driving force that keeps you awake at night and excites you. Every conservation photographer should start by asking themselves: Why am I passionate about conservation? What stories excite me? What change do I want to bring to the world through my work? If you aren’t passionate about the story or subject matter you’re communicating, it will be challenging to inspire passion and excitement in others.
It’s this passion that creates magic in every photo. Understanding your motivations will guide your work and give it purpose. Whether your goal is to raise awareness about endangered species, protect a local natural area, or inspire others to take action, having a strong sense of purpose will help you create meaningful and impactful stories.
2. Do Your Research
So you have found your “why” and your passion. Now, let’s find some stories. Whether you are at the beginning of your photojournalism journey or more experienced, focusing on local stories that are easily accessible and require minimal funding is the perfect place to start.
Selecting a local conservation issue that is relevant, current, and resonates deeply with you is how impactful images are born. Topics may include endangered species, habitat destruction, climate change, or successful conservation efforts. Stay up-to-date with the news, use Google Alerts for topics of interest, and engage with local journalists, conservationists, organizations, and community members to gain a deeper understanding of the issue. This approach allows you to contribute to your community while honing your skills. By sticking with local stories, you can gradually build trust within the community, which is essential for capturing the most compelling images.
One crucial lesson I’ve learned is that if the subject doesn’t want you to do a story on them or the topic, then there isn’t a story there for you. It’s important to recognize when to stop pursuing a story and move on to the next.
Remember, photojournalism is a marathon, not a sprint, and it can take many years to complete a story. Building trust and understanding within the community will eventually lead to the most powerful and authentic work.
3. Finding Your Story's Structure
Once you have found your story, it is crucial to fully understand it before you start shooting. It’s important to distinguish between a story and a topic. Topics are broad and general, serving as umbrellas under which more specific stories and angles can be developed. Stories add specificity and context to topics, providing insights into how, why, and when events occur.
For compelling photo stories, focus on the story, not the entire topic. Each story should have three main elements: Characters, Conflict, and Timeliness. When choosing your main character, think outside the box. While characters are often people, they can also be wildlife, cities, buildings, locations, or objects. Consider these questions when identifying your character: Who are they? What are their values? What are their desires and goals?
Like a storybook, your photo story should have a beginning, middle, and end, usually following a journey or process. This journey can be broken down into three actions to make it more compelling and emotionally engaging:
- Call to Action: Something happens that the character can no longer ignore, prompting them to act on their desires or motives.
- Conflict: Challenges or obstacles that the main character faces and must overcome.
- Resolution: How the character achieves or fails to achieve their desires. Consider what has changed and photograph how the main character’s emotions have shifted. This can be illustrated through color, location or lighting.
By finding your story, honing in on your character’s wants, needs, and desires, and following a strong structure and narrative, you will be on the road to creating a successful photo story.
4. Plan and Visualize Your Shots
Now that you’ve identified your passion, found a story, and planned its structure, it’s time for the fun part: visualizing your shots. Before heading into the field, I recommend meeting with key people involved in the story – scientists, conservationists, and community members. Read research papers and other materials to deepen your understanding. If you can’t visit the location yet, watch documentaries, find photos, and use Google Maps to get a sense of the place.
To convey your message effectively, shoot with purpose. Ensure you capture three essential types of shots: a close-up detailed shot, a medium-angle shot, and a wide shot, making sure no image repeats itself. Start with the ‘safe shot’ and then experiment with different angles, lighting, and compositions. This variety will give you a rich pool of images to choose from when compiling your photo story.
Drawing your story in thumbnails beforehand can help you visualize and approach your work with a clear idea. Think of a photo story like a wordless comic strip, a method inspired by my studies in illustration. This approach helps me stay focused on capturing all the necessary shots.
Finally, think outside the box. If a story has already been covered, find a unique angle or perspective. Remember, you are an artist, using your camera as a paintbrush to illuminate important stories. Let creativity guide you, and don’t hesitate to use tools like camera flashes, filters, and artistic lenses to create different effects.
5. Capturing The Moment
While in the field, remember that you are the messenger, there to capture, not to interfere. Ethical considerations are paramount; your presence should not harm the environment or disturb wildlife. Follow guidelines and regulations for photographing in protected areas, obtain necessary permissions, and respect the dignity and privacy of individuals. Building trust is crucial as you document people’s lives. Approach your work with care, sensitivity, and respect.
Most importantly, enjoy the experience. The most rewarding work of my photography career has been out in nature or with people on the front lines protecting our wild spaces. It’s enriching and fulfilling to make new connections, understand new places, and spend time with new creatures.
6. Be a Ruthless Photo Editor
Your first photo story is complete, congratulations! Now comes the editing process, where you need to be blunt with your work. If a shot is beautiful but doesn’t serve the story, don’t use it.
Avoid editing images on the same day you shoot; it’s easier to be objective after some time has passed. After a few days, select the best 25-50 photos from your shoot. A day or more later, narrow those down to the top 10 images, ensuring each photo serves your original story concept. Aim for 5-10 photos in your final photo story.
Seek advice from trusted friends, colleagues, or family who aren’t emotionally attached to the story. Give them your top 25-50 photos and ask them to select their top 10. This can provide valuable insight into how effectively you’ve captured the story.
Don’t fear failure. With each photo story, you’ll grow and learn. Over time, you’ll become more confident, bolder in your experiments, and more attuned to what to look for. Practice, courage, and curiosity are key to your development as a conservation photojournalist.
7. Getting It Out There
Now that your photo story is complete, it’s time to share it with the world. If no one sees your work, the power of storytelling remains hidden. Share your story on social media, and engage with your audience by sharing behind-the-scenes insights and personal reflections. Try to get it shown at local community centers and exhibitions. Contact reputable publications with large audiences that pay photographers for their work, such as news outlets, papers, and magazines. Encourage viewers to learn more, support conservation efforts, and share the story within their networks. The more people who see your work, the greater its impact will be.
Storytelling and photography are powerful tools that amplify the voices of others. Crafting a compelling conservation photo story requires passion, dedication, and creativity. In a world facing significant environmental challenges, your photography can be a beacon of hope and a call to action. Let your lens bring hidden stories to light and drive meaningful change.
Now, go unleash your creativity and tell some stories!
This article was written by Francesca Page, published illustrator, award-winning photographer, writer, dive professional and GWC Ambassador.
Fabulous Post!!! Insightful and full of wonderful tips for those who seek image storytelling! Thank you!