What are the steps in making a photo essay?

Before you start shooting, decide what kind of photo essay you want to make. There are two main types – thematic and narrative. Thematic essays look at a larger idea in the world and present photos that are related to it, while narratives tell a specific story with a beginning, middle and end. Once you’ve decided how to approach your essay, it will be easier to find the right photos to suit your needs.

Then, research your topic. This is especially important if you’re doing a thematic photo essay. Look at other photo essays that are similar to yours and pay special attention to the composition of each image. This will help you to understand how your photos will fit together and what type of captions, if any, you should include.

Finally, think about the emotions you want to convey with your photos. There are many ways to do this, including showing emotions on your subject’s face or photographing meaningful scenes. When you’re taking the photos, try to feel the emotions yourself as well – this will come through in your work and give it a unique, powerful effect.

Once you’ve taken all of your photos, choose the best ones to include in your photo essay. Then, create a rough outline of the essay and start putting it all together. It’s important to be patient when working on a photo essay, as it takes time to find the right photos and put them in order. It’s also a good idea to review your essay once it’s finished, to ensure that everything fits together and makes sense.