My husband’s violin students have some unique opportunities to solo. When he invites me to tag along, I’ve found he doesn’t always give the full version. I was surprised to arrive at a dinner with William F. Buckley Jr. Once, we flew to Houston for a music competition but unbeknownst to us, it was the pre-conference for the NAACP. When attendees flooded the arena, I went looking for signage for where exactly are we? How will they accept us? Another competition was held in a church famous for stained glass windows. Scheduled tours were regular.
These little stories have taught me to investigate and anticipate what kinds of stories I might encounter. I link it with photography because photojournalists who know where they’re going and what story they’re likely to tell- tend to walk away with better storytelling photos.
I’ve found a few questions that help me prepare in advance.
- Is there anything unique about the location: architecturally, historically, or in the landscape?
- What’s the schedule? How will things run?
- Will photos be vignettes, slice-of-life, or photos of someone competing or achieving?
- What three shots would best tell the beginning, the middle and the end.
- Am I taking photos to tell my experience or to document a story about someone at the center of the larger story?
- What kinds of compositions do I foresee? Close-ups? Wide angle?
- If I arrive early and/or stay late, what could be some shots that would help tell my story.
Be Open to the Unexpected
Preparing helps to anticipate some of the storylines, but there’ll be some things you never expect. Stop and choose three or four words to describe the scene when you first arrive. What caught your attention. It may be a sight, a smell, or a mood. Do you feel the atmosphere is formal, casual, or hurried? And then what photos would capture these words? This habit will add some details, so your story is alive.
I’ll use a summer outdoor wedding as an example because it has more exaggerated details. My words were heat, humidity, rustic, and scents from flowers. The reception words were fairytale and a solid brass section in the band. Then I aimed for photos to best represent the words of what all caught my attention.
Feel Comfortable on Your Camera
Search for guidance from professional photographers even when they don’t tell your genre of stories. B&H offers a wide range of tutorials. Wander around, get lost in the tutorials.
A 365-project will put you at ease on your camera. You’ll know how to get what you want because you use it daily. Then, when the whirlwind of the story begins, you won’t be searching for menus and settings and buttons and a guide. You’ll feel comfortable and at ease with your camera.
Photo by Andre Furtado via Unsplash