{"id":1896,"date":"2022-07-06T22:56:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-06T22:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/taratwphoto.com\/?p=1896"},"modified":"2023-04-28T04:21:09","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T04:21:09","slug":"powerful-photo-essays-tips-for-visual-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/taratwphoto.com\/powerful-photo-essays-tips-for-visual-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Powerful photo essays: Tips for visual impact"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Photo essays are a great way to tell a visually impactful story about your work. If you\u2019re not sure where to begin or what to consider when crafting a photo essay, check out this Q&A where Tara shares her expertise on how to plan for and execute an effective photo essay.<\/em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(Responses edited for length and clarity.) <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are some creative ways a social impact organization could utilize a photo essay? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo essays are versatile storytelling tools. They\u2019re typically associated with more journalistic mediums, but can easily be used for NGO communications. Include a photo essay in an annual report to give your reader a break from the text. Or spruce up your Instagram presence with a carousel of photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Photo essays tend to be thematic or narrative. What is the first thing one should consider when choosing the right type of photo essay?  <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good question. A thematic approach<\/em><\/strong> is when you curate photos that relate to a similar topic. For example, if you\u2019re telling a story related to agricultural solutions in Latin America, you could curate a photo essay that showcases farming techniques in that region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A narrative approach<\/em><\/strong> follows more of a traditional story structure and typically is about one person or a group of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What kind of research goes into crafting a photo essay?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pre-work ideally includes site visits. If that\u2019s not possible, then talk to people who have been to the area recently and set up meetings with local leaders or people in the community who are knowledgeable about the topic. Also, try to interview the subject beforehand and think about how you\u2019d like to shape the story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you only need one photo, some level of pre-work is a good idea. It takes a lot of energy and money to execute a shoot, so once you\u2019re there maximize the opportunity!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Let\u2019s hone in on the narrative approach. To profile an individual, such as a local game-changer, what would you recommend?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When profiling an individual, it\u2019s important to understand the work they do and the life they lead before showing up for the shoot. We want to shoot action, so ask about any significant events that might be happening or daily routines that could be interesting to document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are some tips to capture a project where tons of pre-planning isn\u2019t possible?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Write out a plan as much as possible, even if it\u2019s just what you hope to see, and then embrace a spirit of flexibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Let\u2019s take a look at some case studies. Here is a <\/em><\/strong>Turkish All-Women\u2019s Theater Group that was featured in The Guardian.<\/em><\/strong><\/a> It tells a vivid story about this group of women and their lives. Tell us about your approach here.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This story is significant because it\u2019s about both an individual woman, Ummiye, and a community of female actors who are impacting their society in an unusual way. Ummiye was the founder of the troupe and I wanted to showcase her home life as well as what it was like traveling with the group. I was allowed backstage and in her home and it was an honor to document. It\u2019s a story of resilience and change, the type I love capturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Turkish All-Women’s Theater Group<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Q: And let\u2019s also take a look at this photography <\/em><\/strong>featuring chhaupadi, a ritual in western Nepal<\/em><\/strong><\/a> in which menstruating women are isolated. This was featured in a New York Times article. Would you still consider this photo essay narrative or thematic?<\/em><\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good question. The photos captured for this story are both narrative and thematic. The part about the woman who changed her village\u2019s perspective about chhaupadi<\/em> has a narrative effect. In other parts of the story, it\u2019s more about providing background knowledge about the practice and how it affects women, so the photos in this instance provide a thematic purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both approaches were necessary to tell the story: to show how widespread the practice is, while also focusing on individuals like the teacher who changed her entire village\u2019s approach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chhaupadi photo selects for the NY Times<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are things to consider when reviewing a photo essay before publishing it? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be brutal while reviewing your photo essay. One of the most common mistakes we see are nearly identical photos side-by-side. Each photo should contribute a significant and distinct part to the story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are some tips on how to do a photo essay with a tight budget?<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n