You’re ready to photograph a story… but what kind of story will it be? If you’ve never tackled a photo story before, this is your first big hurdle. But don’t worry – here are three types of photo stories that offer clearest place to begin your adventure – all while staying local to home. Which type of photo story is best for you?
Get started with simple photo stories near home
It’s a very exciting thing to decide that you want to photograph a conservation story, especially when that’s happening near you.
But here’s a common hiccup for inspired conservation photographers who have never tackled a story before…
You make this really important mindset shift into total confidence in photographing a story... and then you immediately hit the first hurdle: what kind of story is it that you’re going to photograph?
This is where a story idea can suddenly become overwhelming, confusing, or lose it’s focus entirely. Let’s not let that happen to you!
So, I want to walk through three types of photo stories that offer some clarity and direction. These certainly aren’t the only story types out there, but they are definitely my top choices for you to select from.
Person Profile: Documenting a Human Story
Why Choose a Person Profile?
A person profile is all about documenting someone’s story, including both what they do and who they are. This type of story is perfect for photographers who already have experience with people photography and want to move into conservation storytelling. It’s also great for photographers who feel uncomfortable photographing people but need to stretch their skills. Whether you’re used to documenting people at work or you need to build confidence in photographing the human side of conservation, a person profile will push your skills in valuable ways.
How to Approach a Person Profile
A person profile leans more toward an in-depth exploration rather than a news story. You’re looking to document not just what a person does but also who they are. For example, you could document the story of a local conservationist or the head of a conservation organization. Dive into their daily work, family life, and their role in the community. By focusing on a person, you create a narrative that’s both informative and emotionally engaging.
Real-World Example
One of my students in the Conservation Photography 101 course did a fantastic job identifying a local conservationist working on a fairly common issue. Despite the commonality of the issue, the conservationist’s unique and active approach on social media and in personal life made her a compelling subject. By highlighting her distinctive methods and charismatic personality, the student was able to create a captivating person profile that drew viewers into the conservation story.
Place Profile: Telling the Story of a Location
Why Choose a Place Profile?
A place profile is about documenting the story of a specific location. This type of story is excellent for photographers who want to develop their skills in connecting different elements of a story. Place profiles often require you to highlight various aspects of a location and its broader significance, which can be challenging but incredibly rewarding. Successfully pulling off a place profile can have far-reaching impacts, as protecting habitats means protecting countless species.
How to Approach a Place Profile
When choosing a place profile, you can go big or small. For beginners, I recommend starting small and specific. Highlight a particular benefit of the location, or explore how the place plays a larger role in the community. Documenting the story of a location involves capturing its beauty, its challenges, and its importance to both wildlife and people.
Real-World Example
One of my students wanted to highlight a local preserve to stop illegal camping and littering. After workshopping her idea, she decided to focus on the preserve’s role as a habitat for a migratory bird species. By emphasizing the preserve’s importance to this species, she could engage the community in protecting the area. This approach not only showcased the location but also tied in the community’s role in conservation, making it a compelling place profile.
Local Conservation Activity: Highlighting Broader Impacts
Why Choose a Local Conservation Activity?
A local conservation activity story focuses on a specific action with broader implications. This type of story allows you to explore various elements—from people to places to species—and how they all come together in a conservation effort. The key is to find an activity with a “so what” factor, something that matters locally but has significance beyond the immediate area.
How to Approach a Local Conservation Activity
Identify a conservation activity in your area that has broader implications. Document the people involved, the places affected, and the activity itself. Highlight why this activity is important locally and how it connects to larger conservation goals. By doing this, you create a story that resonates with a wider audience.
Real-World Example
On the Oregon coast, there’s a fantastic program called Coast Watchers. Volunteers adopt a mile of coastline, walking it regularly to report on various factors like litter, wildlife, and erosion. This citizen science initiative not only helps monitor the health of the coastline but also serves as a model for similar programs in other regions. Documenting such an activity would involve photographing volunteers, the coastline, and the data collection process, showcasing its importance locally and its potential impact globally.
Conclusion
These types of stories provide clear, structured paths to follow, making them perfect for photographers just starting in conservation storytelling. They also offer opportunities to stretch your skills and creativity, pushing you to become a more effective and persuasive conservation photographer. So, grab your camera, choose a story type that excites you, and dive into the world of conservation photography right in your own backyard.
