A photo essay is a narrative or a collection of photos that tells a story. The purpose is to convey emotion or inform. Photo essays often focus on feelings, emotions, or experiences. They can also be thematic.

Great photo essays take time to prepare, research, and edit. They can incorporate multiple perspectives and use a range of photography styles. For example, a photo essay could explore a person’s life through portraits and landscapes. It could also document a child’s first month of life, a birthday party, or a school drama production.

A good photo essay must include a lead shot. This photo introduces the subject and sets the stage for the rest of the story. It should leave the viewer wanting to know more.

A clincher or closing image is the last image in the photo essay. This shot should leave the viewer with an emotional impression.

In order to create a photo essay that engages viewers, the photographer needs to select the photos carefully. The most effective stories can be told with a few powerful images.

Photographers must also be objective when selecting the content. They need to look for human-interest stories that offer the audience an inside look into culture. Ideally, the photographer should spend some time getting to know the subject without the camera.

Storyboards are an important part of the process of creating a photo essay. These boards can help the photographer convert their vision into a concrete plan.