Make your photo more interesting by telling a story in it

Monday 6 September 2021, 20:02 by Elja Trum | 5,267 views | 4 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Can you already take a technically good portrait photo? Then it might be time to give your photo more depth by telling a story in it. This makes your photo more interesting to look at.

1. Think of a little story

It doesn't have to be a whole novel. Often, it is enough for your model to be doing something.

You create a situation that you are really watching as a spectator. Your model often no longer has direct contact with the camera. In a way, they are acting out a little play.

You can use books, films or series for inspiration, for example. It also helps to write out your little story. You often come up with extra ideas that fit into the image. It also makes it easier to explain clearly to your model what you have in mind.

2. Find a location

You can then get started.
Now that you have a story, you can look for where the scene could take place. A studio is often less suitable for telling a story. You then have to create the entire scene yourself.

It is therefore useful to find a suitable location. This could simply be at home, in a hotel, in a museum or somewhere outside.

Urbex location

3. Find a suitable model

Of course, your model also needs to fit the scene. The fun thing about coming up with the story is that you probably already have an image in mind. So you already know what your model should look like. That makes searching easier.

You can find models through Facebook groups for models and photographers, for example. You can often work on a TFP basis. Neither you nor your model charges a fee. In return for their time, your model receives the photos.

4. The right clothing

Adapt your model's clothing to the scene you have in mind. Through a website such as Vinted.nl, you can often find second-hand clothing cheaply. Handy for photo shoots.

You can usually get a piece of clothing for less than ten euros. By now, I have collected quite a large wardrobe myself. You can usually use clothing several times for different shoots.

Of course, you can also ask your model to bring suitable clothing. That way, you know the size will be right, and it also gives you more variety. After all, you have not used those clothes in other shoots.

5. The right accessories

You dress your scene with accessories. Props. Matching the image you have in mind. Does the situation take place in the present, the past or the future?

You can of course look at what you already have lying around for accessories, but it is often worth searching Marktplaats for the right props too. Or visit a local second-hand shop.

6. The post-processing

You can also give the photo you have taken suitable post-processing. The editing adds a lot to the final result and to how the story is perceived.

For example, a photo set in the past may benefit from an 'older look' with faded colours and added noise.

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