A photo essay is an art form that requires more than a good camera. It may require hundreds of photos and a fair bit of post-processing. This is why it is important to invest time in your project. Choosing a topic and capturing the best images are the basics.

In a nutshell, a photo essay is a collection of photos and texts designed to convey a story. It can be a documentary, a narrative, or a thematic one. Depending on the type of subject, the resulting work might take as many as 15 attempts to achieve publication.

Like any piece of art, a photo essay has its own strengths and weaknesses. To maximize the value of your efforts, research the topic and its limitations. Make sure you know exactly what you’re doing before you start shooting. You might even want to talk to other photographers. Getting their feedback on your photos will help you see where you need to improve.

You’ll also need to make a shot list. You’ll have to decide on the best way to show your audience the story. If you’re doing a documentary photo essay, you’ll need to find a local guide to tell you the ins and outs of a certain location.

Similarly, you’ll need to decide on the right title. The best titles are ones that fit the premise of your essay.

Lastly, you’ll need to have some kind of schedule. Ideally, you’ll have a timeline and an end date for your photo essay. This will allow you to document a story from beginning to end.