For Photographers
VISUAL STORY TELLING
Hey creative photographers.
Ready for something extraordinary? We call it Visual Storytelling – it’s a language of photographs and few words. We’ll dive into a world of boundless possibilities, fueled by creativity, passion, and vision.
Storytelling takes us beyond the usual. Turn a single moment into an unforgettable tale. Turn a group of pictures into an elegant narrative that will captivate viewers everywhere. As photographers, we’ve got the power to show raw emotion, to uncover hidden truths, and to reveal beauty in the ordinary. Now’s the time to use it.
Picture this: an image that speaks to the very embodiment of the soul. Louder than words ever could. You have the power to stir emotions, spark curiosity, and ignite change. With this amazing power comes responsibility. Use it wisely, with purpose and grace.
Improve your skills, broaden your horizons.
Pros or passionate amateurs, we’ll challenge you, inspire you, and push you further in your craft.
The mission: empower you to tell soul-stirring stories. Stories that leave a mark. We’ll dive into composition, color psychology, and light and shadow. You’ll learn to read visuals, see the world through your lens, and create images that resonate.
And, of course, practice makes perfect. Hands-on exercises and assignments will sharpen your skills, and help you find your photographic voice.
This isn’t just a class. It’s a community. We’re united by our passion for photography and the desire to push ourselves further. You’ll collaborate and learn from your peers in a troll-free, supportive environment.
Mastery is a never-ending journey. This class is just one step. We want it to be your foundation.
Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone, and unleash your creativity?
If yes, this class is for you.
Let’s crack the code of visual storytelling, and redefine your photography.
Don’t miss this chance to level up your craft, and become the storyteller you were born to be.
Join us. The world is waiting for your story.
FIRST CLASS: TUESDAY
JULY 2, 2024
4:30 PM, Pacific
Classes are weekly on Tuesdays, 4:30 PM Pacific
Module 1:
The Power of Visual Storytelling
Visual storytelling has played a crucial role in the evolution of photography. We will discover the traditional methods, and new forms as well.
Module 2:
Building Strong Narratives
Understanding the components of story and how they can relate to the cameras and photographic choices we make.
Module 3:
Establishing The Character
The character must be established. Whether the character is a single human, a place, or an adventure, it must be established first.
Module 4:
Composition and Framing
Your image tells a story about your subject. Learning to create story elements by framing, point-of-view, and composition is paramount.
Module 5:
Mood and Atmosphere
In the world of visual storytelling, lighting is the most powerful tool we can use to evoke emotions, set the mood, and create an atmosphere.
Module 6:
Developing Pacing and Rhythm
Pacing and rhythm are essential components of visual storytelling, We want to experiment with and expand on our presentation skills.
Module 7:
Editing/Sequencing Techniques
Crafting a compelling visual story requires careful attention to the individual images and the way they are organized and presented.
Module 8:
Effectively Present a Visual Story
Once crafted, a compelling visual narrative must be presented to your audience in a way that maximizes its impact and emotional resonance.
STORYTELLING IS IN HIGH DEMAND
Whether you shoot editorial, commercial, or for consumers, storytelling is the hottest thing going. Brands want stories that resonate with customers, advertisers want story-driven material to allow them to be seen as more authentic, and families want a legacy that is more powerful than a single photo in a frame. Story is everywhere. Learn to craft a story, shoot it, edit it, and present it in a myriad of ways. This is not your usual photo class. It will help you craft a personal project, put that story idea into the world, and build a portfolio that will create more interest.
Everything we want to do needs a captivating narrative and the ability to convey it effectively. Without an engaging or unique story, our venture risks being lost in the vast ocean of mediocrity that plagues many undertakings—a fatal outcome indeed.
It’s essential to understand the importance of stories to both humanity and marketing professionals. By knowing this, we can get into how to narrate them in the most compelling manner – visually.. Stories have been an integral part of our lives since humans first gathered around campfires. They have played, and continue to play, a significant role in our species’ survival and prosperity.
The dictionary describes a story as: “A narrative of actual or fictional events, people, and occurrences, told for amusement.” From biblical parables to the Bayeux Tapestry, and from Romeo and Juliet to John Lewis Christmas advertisements, we are enveloped in a myriad of tales. But why is the art of storytelling crucial for every marketer?
For marketers, storytelling extends far beyond advertisements or communications. It commences with recognizing the narrative of your brand, enterprise, or product—and determining how to make that narrative both captivating and persuasive.
Stories are the foundation of human dominance in the food chain. We are innately programmed for storytelling, and stories have played a pivotal role throughout the history of our species. Photographs bring those stories to life… and that is where we come in.
First and foremost, stories help us process information. Additionally, they have allowed us to endure by ensuring essential information for safety, warmth, and procreation was passed down. John Yorke’s remarkable book on the science of stories, ‘Into the Woods,’ suggests that stories also provide closure for various issues. They serve as valuable tools for clarifying the enigmatic, demystifying the complex, or even exploring existential questions. Hence, it’s crucial for us to understand how to create and convey stories.
For marketers or business owners, stories are even more indispensable, particularly if we aspire to stand out or be chosen. According to Jennifer Aaker’s extraordinary work at Stanford, presenting information in the form of a story makes it 22 times more memorable than a mere fact.
Consider that statistic once more. Storytelling seems all the more powerful now, doesn’t it?
When a story is compelling enough, the brain remembers better because it genuinely believes it was part of the narrative. Daniel Kahneman has already demonstrated that our thought processes are primarily driven by emotion at an unconscious level.
Now… let’s make photographs.
WORKSHOP FEE: $189
About Don
I have been a professional photographer and educator for over 50 years, and my classes have been super successful. I teach real-world information with real-world critiques and expectations. This is one of my ongoing 8-week courses featuring food, tabletop, product, portrait, still life, and editorial photography, and it will be a blast.
Join us and make your own stories.
let’s Make Stories!
