At Yarn, we’re (obviously) obsessed with storytelling — especially through photography. The people we work with often need us to express a whole spectrum of emotion: sadness, anger, fear, joy, excitement. Sometimes the subject matter is complex — bereavement, abuse, loss — but whatever the brief, we always return to our golden threads: photography that feels human, authentic, and purposeful.
Here are nine ways to make sure your photography tells the strongest story possible.
1. Plan Your Story
Start with clarity. What’s the story you want to tell? What emotions do you want to evoke? What’s the message you need to land? Whether your focus is a personal journey, a social issue, or a quiet moment of beauty, defining the narrative before you shoot is everything.
2. Choose Your Subject
Your subject is the anchor. A person, a place, an object, a fleeting moment — it doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it connects deeply to the story you’re telling. The stronger your connection to the subject, the more compelling the end result will be.
3. Composition and Framing
Composition is what transforms a snapshot into a story. Use the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing to guide the eye. Experiment with angles and perspective. Don’t underestimate negative space — it can add quiet drama or emotion.
4. Use Light and Shadow
Light shapes mood. The soft warmth of golden hour, the sharp contrast of shadow — both can define the emotional tone of your story. Experiment. Move around your subject. Let light work with your narrative, not against it.
5. Capture Emotion
Good photography isn’t just visual — it’s emotional. Candid moments nearly always beat staged ones. Catch expressions of joy, connection, grief, or stillness. Real emotion is what makes a story feel true.
6. Focus on the Details
Details give depth. The crease of a hand, the worn spine of a book, the curl of a smile — small things make stories richer. Look closer than feels comfortable. The essence of your narrative is often hiding in the fine print.
7. Sequence Your Shots
If you’re telling a story through multiple images, treat them like a film sequence. Open strong, build rhythm, and close with impact. Each image should earn its place and move the story forward.
8. Edit with Intention
Post-processing isn’t cheating — it’s part of the craft. Use it to enhance tone and mood, not to over-polish. Subtlety matters. The goal is emotional truth, not perfection.
9. Make It Personal
Photography is interpretation. Let your perspective show. Your relationship to the subject — what you felt, noticed, cared about — is what makes your work distinctive. The camera might be objective, but the story never is.