A photographic essay can be a powerful tool for educating and engaging the public. While one photo can draw in interest, multiple photos can tell a vivid and in-depth story. A photo essay allows you to present a more complex issue that would otherwise be impossible to portray in a single photo.

However, determining what story to tell can be a challenge. If you are thinking of creating a photographic essay, then you know that choosing an appropriate subject can be a difficult task. If you find yourself at a loss for ideas, or are overwhelmed by possibilities, take a moment to outline your thoughts. Brainstorm ideas and consider the resources that are immediately available to you.

  1. Initially ask yourself what issues you find important. If one idea does not immediately come to mind consider what resources are available in your community.
  2. Consider ideas that are relevant and in the news today. Look in local newspapers to determine what topics are in the headlines and what is important to your community.
  3. Are you affiliated with a nonprofit organization that you could use as a resource? Nonprofit organizations will often support your idea. Both the photographer and the organization benefit from the resulting essay and publicity.
  4. If you are not currently connected with a local organization, do some research. Find an organization that might benefit from your work. (Idealist.org and Wiserearth.org both provide a worldwide directory of nonprofit organizations. Collective Lens is also accumulating a growing list of organizations.)
  5. If contacting an organization directly does not work for you, look into volunteer opportunities. Participating on a weekend project is a great opportunity to catalogue how people are making a difference. These experiences will familiarize you with areas where more help is needed. This personal contact can give you an inside angle for your photographic essay.
  6. Finally, look at photography publications to familiarize yourself with what other photographers are publishing. While you don’t want to duplicate another photographer’s vision, this is a good brainstorming technique to help you get started.

When choosing your topic, consider what type of photography you enjoy. What type of subjects do you enjoy working with? Do you have any contacts that would allow you to get some powerful and candid shots. Utilize these resources. When choosing a topic, determine how broad or narrow you’d like your focus to be. While a broad subject matter such as homelessness might provide you with more options to photograph, a narrow focus can often tell a more powerful story. For example, if a homeless shelter is closing in your community, highlight who will be affected and how.
Remember, once you’ve selected a topic, remain flexible and allow the subjects to inspire you. This flexibility will allow for the most powerful photos.