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How to Create an Engaging Photo Essay (with Examples)

Photo essays tell a story in pictures. They're a great way to improve at photography and story-telling skills at once. Learn how to do create a great one.

Learn | Photography Guides | By Ana Mireles

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Photography is a medium used to tell stories – sometimes they are told in one picture, sometimes you need a whole series. Those series can be photo essays.

If you’ve never done a photo essay before, or you’re simply struggling to find your next project, this article will be of help. I’ll be showing you what a photo essay is and how to go about doing one.

You’ll also find plenty of photo essay ideas and some famous photo essay examples from recent times that will serve you as inspiration.

If you’re ready to get started, let’s jump right in!

Table of Contents

What is a Photo Essay?

A photo essay is a series of images that share an overarching theme as well as a visual and technical coherence to tell a story. Some people refer to a photo essay as a photo series or a photo story – this often happens in photography competitions.

Photographic history is full of famous photo essays. Think about The Great Depression by Dorothea Lange, Like Brother Like Sister by Wolfgang Tillmans, Gandhi’s funeral by Henri Cartier Bresson, amongst others.

What are the types of photo essay?

Despite popular belief, the type of photo essay doesn’t depend on the type of photography that you do – in other words, journalism, documentary, fine art, or any other photographic genre is not a type of photo essay.

Instead, there are two main types of photo essays: narrative and thematic .

As you have probably already guessed, the thematic one presents images pulled together by a topic – for example, global warming. The images can be about animals and nature as well as natural disasters devastating cities. They can happen all over the world or in the same location, and they can be captured in different moments in time – there’s a lot of flexibility.

A narrative photo essa y, on the other hand, tells the story of a character (human or not), portraying a place or an event. For example, a narrative photo essay on coffee would document the process from the planting and harvesting – to the roasting and grinding until it reaches your morning cup.

What are some of the key elements of a photo essay?

  • Tell a unique story – A unique story doesn’t mean that you have to photograph something that nobody has done before – that would be almost impossible! It means that you should consider what you’re bringing to the table on a particular topic.
  • Put yourself into the work – One of the best ways to make a compelling photo essay is by adding your point of view, which can only be done with your life experiences and the way you see the world.
  • Add depth to the concept – The best photo essays are the ones that go past the obvious and dig deeper in the story, going behind the scenes, or examining a day in the life of the subject matter – that’s what pulls in the spectator.
  • Nail the technique – Even if the concept and the story are the most important part of a photo essay, it won’t have the same success if it’s poorly executed.
  • Build a structure – A photo essay is about telling a thought-provoking story – so, think about it in a narrative way. Which images are going to introduce the topic? Which ones represent a climax? How is it going to end – how do you want the viewer to feel after seeing your photo series?
  • Make strong choices – If you really want to convey an emotion and a unique point of view, you’re going to need to make some hard decisions. Which light are you using? Which lens? How many images will there be in the series? etc., and most importantly for a great photo essay is the why behind those choices.

9 Tips for Creating a Photo Essay

photo essay 2017

Credit: Laura James

1. Choose something you know

To make a good photo essay, you don’t need to travel to an exotic location or document a civil war – I mean, it’s great if you can, but you can start close to home.

Depending on the type of photography you do and the topic you’re looking for in your photographic essay, you can photograph a local event or visit an abandoned building outside your town.

It will be much easier for you to find a unique perspective and tell a better story if you’re already familiar with the subject. Also, consider that you might have to return a few times to the same location to get all the photos you need.

2. Follow your passion

Most photo essays take dedication and passion. If you choose a subject that might be easy, but you’re not really into it – the results won’t be as exciting. Taking photos will always be easier and more fun if you’re covering something you’re passionate about.

3. Take your time

A great photo essay is not done in a few hours. You need to put in the time to research it, conceptualizing it, editing, etc. That’s why I previously recommended following your passion because it takes a lot of dedication, and if you’re not passionate about it – it’s difficult to push through.

4. Write a summary or statement

Photo essays are always accompanied by some text. You can do this in the form of an introduction, write captions for each photo or write it as a conclusion. That’s up to you and how you want to present the work.

5. Learn from the masters

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Making a photographic essay takes a lot of practice and knowledge. A great way to become a better photographer and improve your storytelling skills is by studying the work of others. You can go to art shows, review books and magazines and look at the winners in photo contests – most of the time, there’s a category for photo series.

6. Get a wide variety of photos

Think about a story – a literary one. It usually tells you where the story is happening, who is the main character, and it gives you a few details to make you engage with it, right?

The same thing happens with a visual story in a photo essay – you can do some wide-angle shots to establish the scenes and some close-ups to show the details. Make a shot list to ensure you cover all the different angles.

Some of your pictures should guide the viewer in, while others are more climatic and regard the experience they are taking out of your photos.

7. Follow a consistent look

Both in style and aesthetics, all the images in your series need to be coherent. You can achieve this in different ways, from the choice of lighting, the mood, the post-processing, etc.

8. Be self-critical

Once you have all the photos, make sure you edit them with a good dose of self-criticism. Not all the pictures that you took belong in the photo essay. Choose only the best ones and make sure they tell the full story.

9. Ask for constructive feedback

Often, when we’re working on a photo essay project for a long time, everything makes perfect sense in our heads. However, someone outside the project might not be getting the idea. It’s important that you get honest and constructive criticism to improve your photography.

How to Create a Photo Essay in 5 Steps

photo essay 2017

Credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh

1. Choose your topic

This is the first step that you need to take to decide if your photo essay is going to be narrative or thematic. Then, choose what is it going to be about?

Ideally, it should be something that you’re interested in, that you have something to say about it, and it can connect with other people.

2. Research your topic

To tell a good story about something, you need to be familiar with that something. This is especially true when you want to go deeper and make a compelling photo essay. Day in the life photo essays are a popular choice, since often, these can be performed with friends and family, whom you already should know well.

3. Plan your photoshoot

Depending on what you’re photographing, this step can be very different from one project to the next. For a fine art project, you might need to find a location, props, models, a shot list, etc., while a documentary photo essay is about planning the best time to do the photos, what gear to bring with you, finding a local guide, etc.

Every photo essay will need different planning, so before taking pictures, put in the required time to get things right.

4. Experiment

It’s one thing to plan your photo shoot and having a shot list that you have to get, or else the photo essay won’t be complete. It’s another thing to miss out on some amazing photo opportunities that you couldn’t foresee.

So, be prepared but also stay open-minded and experiment with different settings, different perspectives, etc.

5. Make a final selection

Editing your work can be one of the hardest parts of doing a photo essay. Sometimes we can be overly critical, and others, we get attached to bad photos because we put a lot of effort into them or we had a great time doing them.

Try to be as objective as possible, don’t be afraid to ask for opinions and make various revisions before settling down on a final cut.

7 Photo Essay Topics, Ideas & Examples

photo essay 2017

Credit: Michelle Leman

  • Architectural photo essay

Using architecture as your main subject, there are tons of photo essay ideas that you can do. For some inspiration, you can check out the work of Francisco Marin – who was trained as an architect and then turned to photography to “explore a different way to perceive things”.

You can also lookup Luisa Lambri. Amongst her series, you’ll find many photo essay examples in which architecture is the subject she uses to explore the relationship between photography and space.

  • Process and transformation photo essay

This is one of the best photo essay topics for beginners because the story tells itself. Pick something that has a beginning and an end, for example, pregnancy, the metamorphosis of a butterfly, the life-cycle of a plant, etc.

Keep in mind that these topics are linear and give you an easy way into the narrative flow – however, it might be difficult to find an interesting perspective and a unique point of view.

  • A day in the life of ‘X’ photo essay

There are tons of interesting photo essay ideas in this category – you can follow around a celebrity, a worker, your child, etc. You don’t even have to do it about a human subject – think about doing a photo essay about a day in the life of a racing horse, for example – find something that’s interesting for you.

  • Time passing by photo essay

It can be a natural site or a landmark photo essay – whatever is close to you will work best as you’ll need to come back multiple times to capture time passing by. For example, how this place changes throughout the seasons or maybe even over the years.

A fun option if you live with family is to document a birthday party each year, seeing how the subject changes over time. This can be combined with a transformation essay or sorts, documenting the changes in interpersonal relationships over time.

  • Travel photo essay

Do you want to make the jump from tourist snapshots into a travel photo essay? Research the place you’re going to be travelling to. Then, choose a topic.

If you’re having trouble with how to do this, check out any travel magazine – National Geographic, for example. They won’t do a generic article about Texas – they do an article about the beach life on the Texas Gulf Coast and another one about the diverse flavors of Texas.

The more specific you get, the deeper you can go with the story.

  • Socio-political issues photo essay

This is one of the most popular photo essay examples – it falls under the category of photojournalism or documental photography. They are usually thematic, although it’s also possible to do a narrative one.

Depending on your topic of interest, you can choose topics that involve nature – for example, document the effects of global warming. Another idea is to photograph protests or make an education photo essay.

It doesn’t have to be a big global issue; you can choose something specific to your community – are there too many stray dogs? Make a photo essay about a local animal shelter. The topics are endless.

  • Behind the scenes photo essay

A behind-the-scenes always make for a good photo story – people are curious to know what happens and how everything comes together before a show.

Depending on your own interests, this can be a photo essay about a fashion show, a theatre play, a concert, and so on. You’ll probably need to get some permissions, though, not only to shoot but also to showcase or publish those images.

4 Best Photo Essays in Recent times

Now that you know all the techniques about it, it might be helpful to look at some photo essay examples to see how you can put the concept into practice. Here are some famous photo essays from recent times to give you some inspiration.

Habibi by Antonio Faccilongo

This photo essay wan the World Press Photo Story of the Year in 2021. Faccilongo explores a very big conflict from a very specific and intimate point of view – how the Israeli-Palestinian war affects the families.

He chose to use a square format because it allows him to give order to things and eliminate unnecessary elements in his pictures.

With this long-term photo essay, he wanted to highlight the sense of absence and melancholy women and families feel towards their husbands away at war.

The project then became a book edited by Sarah Leen and the graphics of Ramon Pez.

photo essay 2017

Picture This: New Orleans by Mary Ellen Mark

The last assignment before her passing, Mary Ellen Mark travelled to New Orleans to register the city after a decade after Hurricane Katrina.

The images of the project “bring to life the rebirth and resilience of the people at the heart of this tale”, – says CNNMoney, commissioner of the work.

Each survivor of the hurricane has a story, and Mary Ellen Mark was there to record it. Some of them have heartbreaking stories about everything they had to leave behind.

Others have a story of hope – like Sam and Ben, two eight-year-olds born from frozen embryos kept in a hospital that lost power supply during the hurricane, yet they managed to survive.

photo essay 2017

Selfie by Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is an American photographer whose work is mainly done through self-portraits. With them, she explores the concept of identity, gender stereotypes, as well as visual and cultural codes.

One of her latest photo essays was a collaboration with W Magazine entitled Selfie. In it, the author explores the concept of planned candid photos (‘plandid’).

The work was made for Instagram, as the platform is well known for the conflict between the ‘real self’ and the one people present online. Sherman started using Facetune, Perfect365 and YouCam to alter her appearance on selfies – in Photoshop, you can modify everything, but these apps were designed specifically to “make things prettier”- she says, and that’s what she wants to explore in this photo essay.

Tokyo Compression by Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf has an interest in the broad-gauge topic Life in Cities. From there, many photo essays have been derived – amongst them – Tokyo Compression .

He was horrified by the way people in Tokyo are forced to move to the suburbs because of the high prices of the city. Therefore, they are required to make long commutes facing 1,5 hours of train to start their 8+ hour workday followed by another 1,5 hours to get back home.

To portray this way of life, he photographed the people inside the train pressed against the windows looking exhausted, angry or simply absent due to this way of life.

You can visit his website to see other photo essays that revolve around the topic of life in megacities.

Final Words

It’s not easy to make photo essays, so don’t expect to be great at it right from your first project.

Start off small by choosing a specific subject that’s interesting to you –  that will come from an honest place, and it will be a great practice for some bigger projects along the line.

Whether you like to shoot still life or you’re a travel photographer, I hope these photo essay tips and photo essay examples can help you get started and grow in your photography.

Let us know which topics you are working on right now – we’ll love to hear from you!

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Ana Mireles is a Mexican researcher that specializes in photography and communications for the arts and culture sector.

Penelope G. To Ana Mireles Such a well written and helpful article for an writer who wants to inclue photo essay in her memoir. Thank you. I will get to work on this new skill. Penelope G.

Herman Krieger Photo essays in black and white

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The Mobile Photography Awards were founded in 2011 to recognize and celebrate the talent and imagery of the mobile photo & art communities. Alongside our annual competition (October-December), we produce themed exhibits with international open calls throughout the year.

If it’s true what Henri Cartier-Bresson says, that our first 10,000 photos will be our worst, then mobile photography has given people an historic opportunity to quickly get past 10,001. The MPA is a showcase for photographers and artists who have embraced this decisive moment.

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How to Make a Photo Essay

Last Updated: September 27, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Heather Gallagher . Heather Gallagher is a Photojournalist & Photographer based in Austin, Texas. She runs her own photography studio named "Heather Gallagher Photography" which was voted Austin's Best Family Photographer and top 3 Birth Photographers in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Heather specializes in family Photojournalism and has over 15 years of experience documenting individuals, families, and businesses all over the world. Her clients include Delta Airlines, Oracle, Texas Monthly, and her work has been featured in The Washington Post and The Austin American Statesman. She is a member of the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP). There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 288,476 times.

Photo essays are an increasingly popular medium for journalists, bloggers, and advertisers alike. Whether you’re trying to show the emotional impact of a current news story or share your hobby with friends and family, images can capture your topic in a personal, emotional, and interesting way. Creating a photo essay can be as easy as choosing a topic, getting your images, and organizing the essay.

Things You Should Know

  • Reflect long and hard on your topic, considering your audience, current events, and whether to go for a thematic or narrative approach.
  • Create an outline, including your focus image, establishing shot, clincher, and other image details.
  • When you finally take your photos, remember to take more photos than you think you need and don't be afraid to let the project change as you create it.

Finding Your Topic

Step 1 Review current events.

  • Offer a photo essay of your place of business as a training tool.
  • Use a photo essay about your business as a sales or social tool by publishing it on your website or social media page.
  • Create a how to photo essay to help others learn about your hobby, so they can take it up as well. [4] X Research source

Step 4 Select an interesting subject.

  • Thematic subjects are big ideas including things like local gun laws, at-risk youth, or welcoming home soldiers.
  • Narrative essays can include a day in the life, how to tutorials, or progression series that show changes over time such as tracking a building project.
  • If you have been given a commission or specific publication to work with, you may need to choose a topic that will fit a thematic or narrative approach as outlined by the publication. Make sure you are aware of any publication guidelines in advance.

Organizing Your Shoot

Step 1 Get permission.

  • Consider how difficult it will be to get permission to photograph your subjects. If you already have relationships established, it will be easier. If not, allow for extra time to get permission and/or waivers.
  • Schools, daycares, and other places with kids typically have more regulations on who can be photographed and for what purposes. You’ll usually need to get parental approval, in addition to permission from those in charge. [7] X Research source

Step 2 Research your subject.

  • Consider doing interviews with people involved prior to the shoot. Ask things like, “What’s the most interesting thing you do during this event?” or “How long have you been involved with this organization?”
  • These interviews are also a great opportunity to ask for permission and get waivers.
  • If you’re going to visit a job site, charitable event, or other large group activity, ask the person or persons in charge to explain what you’re doing to everyone before you arrive. [8] X Research source

Step 3 Create an outline.

Capturing Your Images

Step 1 Check the light.

  • Many new photographers stay away from high ISO shots because they allow more light through producing a “busy” image. However, these images are often easier to edit later as there’s more information to work with. [11] X Research source
  • If it’s very bright in your location or you’ve set up artificial lighting, a low ISO is likely adequate, For darker areas, you’ll likely need to use a higher ISO.
  • If you need one second to capture an image with a base ISO of 100, you’ll need one eighth of a second to capture with an ISO of 800. [13] X Research source

Step 2 Consider composition.

  • Even snapping candid shots, which you may need to capture quickly, take a few moments to think about how objects are placed to make the most impact.
  • Always think about how the main subject’s surroundings play into the overall image, and try to create different levels and points of interest.
  • You can change composition as part of the editing process in some cases, so if you can’t line up the shot just right, don’t let it deter you from capturing the image you want. [14] X Research source

Step 3 Take more photos than you need.

Organizing the Essay

Step 1 Exclude photos you don’t need.

  • If you’re doing a day in the life photo essay about a frustrated person working in an office, an image of that person struggling to open the front door against the wind might be an apt focus shot.
  • If your essay is about the process of building a home, your focus image may be something like a contractor and architect looking at blue prints with the framed up home in the background.
  • If your essay is about a family reunion, the focus image may be a funny shot of the whole family making faces, pretending to be fighting, or a serious photo of the family posed together. Capture whatever seems natural for the family. [18] X Research source

Step 3 Categorize your remaining photos.

  • Regardless of essay type, you’ll need a focus image to grab attention.
  • Use an overall shot to give context to your essay. Where is it, when is it happening, who’s involved, what’s going on, and why should someone be interested? The five “W’s” of journalism are a great way to determine what your overall shot should capture.
  • Find your final image. This should be something provocative that asks your viewer to think about the topic.
  • Between the focus and overall shot and ending image, include a series of images that move the viewer from the lead-in shots to its result. Use images that build in intensity or draw the viewers further into the essay.

Step 5 Ask for feedback.

  • If the images aren’t telling the story, ask your friends to look at your other photos and ask, “I wanted this image to make this point. You got a different idea. Would any of these images make this point to you more clearly?”
  • If the others like the images you’ve chosen, you may still want to ask them to look at your other photos and tell you if they think any of the images you didn’t include should be added in. They may see something you missed. [20] X Research source

Step 6 Add text.

  • If you're commissioned to add photos to an essay, you should make sure images reflect the written word, but also add emotion and context the writing could not capture. For example, an essay on poverty may include an image of a child and parent living on the street could capture more emotional context.
  • Captions should only include information the viewer could not derive from the photo itself. For instance, you can include a date, the subject’s name, or a statistic relevant to your subject in the caption.
  • If you choose not to have any text or just a title and some introductory and/or closing words, make sure you convey all necessary information succinctly. [21] X Research source

Expert Q&A

Heather Gallagher

  • Be creative with your topics. However, something as simple as "things I like" will suffice so long as you stay creative. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Make sure you're familiar with your camera. It will make the photo composition a lot easier. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Don't get discouraged. It may take several tries to get the desired results in your photos. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

photo essay 2017

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Write a Reflection Paper

  • ↑ http://digital-photography-school.com/5-photo-essay-tips/
  • ↑ Heather Gallagher. Professional Photojournalist & Photographer. Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.
  • ↑ http://improvephotography.com/30816/10-ideas-creative-photo-essays/
  • ↑ http://www.apogeephoto.com/how-to-create-a-photo-essay/
  • ↑ https://petapixel.com/how-to-create-a-photo-essay/
  • ↑ http://photo.journalism.cuny.edu/week-5/
  • ↑ http://clickitupanotch.com/2010/12/creating-a-photo-essay/
  • ↑ https://photographylife.com/what-is-iso-in-photography
  • ↑ https://wiredimpact.com/blog/how-to-make-a-photo-essay-nonprofit/
  • ↑ http://digital-photography-school.com/5-tips-for-creating-a-photo-essay-with-a-purpose/
  • ↑ https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/photography/how-to-make-photo-essay-examples

About This Article

Heather Gallagher

To make a photo essay, start by selecting a subject that is easy to capture and that inspires you, like a friend or a family pet. Then, decide if you want to present your photo essay as thematic, which shows specific examples of a big idea, or narrative, with a beginning, middle, and end. Next, create an outline of your essay to determine which photos you’ll need, like an establishing shot. Finally, take your photos, select which images you want to use in your essay, and organize them according to your theme before adding text to explain the essay. To learn how to capture the best images, keep scrolling! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Year in Review : A 2017 Photo Essay of Outdoor Adventures

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Going back through my library of photographs from 2017, I was able to truly discover how memorable it was. This 2017 Photo Essay will will take you along with me through the past year. We will experience all the outdoor adventures and stunning landscapes captured through the lens of my camera .

Year In Review : A 2017 Photo Essay of Outdoor Adventures

From California to Vancouver Island the year was full of stunning views that I hope you will enjoy. Special thanks to Campbell River Tourism, BC Ferries, Tourism Tofino, Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce and Black Ball Ferry Lines for the marketing projects . Additionally it was a fun year working with Altitude Sports , Valhalla Pure Outfitters , CV Collective Mag , Mill Bay Marine Group and Nanaimo Hospitality Association.

Vancouver Island

The diversity of Vancouver Island is what makes it so spectacular. Tofino’s world famous beaches, Strathcona Park’s magnificent mountains and Carmanah Walbran’s ancient old growth forest were highlights.

2017 Photo Essay Vancouver Island Tofino Chesterman Beach Chris Istace

Canadian Rockies

Defining the border of Alberta and British Columbia, the Canadian Rockies are an iconic landscape. I didn’t get to climb any mountains this year that I had hoped in the Rockies but still managed a few photos. Black and white photos to me is the best way to showcase these giants for my 2017 Photo Essay.

2017 Photo Essay Glacier National Park Mount Sir Donald Chris Istace

Mountain Biking

One thing I don’t share much of is all the mountain bike riding I do. Next to hiking and climbing mountains this is where I spent the majority of my time. The local Cowichan Valley mountains of Mount Tzouhalem and Maple Mountain are my go to spots. Trevor Thew is a fast local racer and one heck of a trail builder too. Nanaimo offered some cool trails and images on a visit in the spring.

Then comes Mark Matthews (Check out his website ) , a talented professional adventure mountain biker. This year I spent a good amount of time with Mark and we had an incredible riding roadtrip in Port Angeles and Bellingham, Washington. Thanks to local rider Mitch Lee of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance for showing us the amazing Bellingham trails.

Mountain Bike 2017 Photo Essay Round-up

2017 Photo Essay Chris Istace Vancouver Island Mountain Biking Nanaimo

United States Road Trips

For it’s proximity to Vancouver Island and ease of getting there I made several trips to the Olympic Peninsula. The most memorable trip for my 2017 Photo Essay was a Tourism project with Black Ball Ferry Line and Olympic Hiking Co . We were able to experience everything the Peninsula and Olympic National Park had to offer.

Mount Baker was a crazy adventure with some good friends who are always up to a challenge. We decided we would travel by car and then ferry to reach the trailhead, summit the 10,000 plus ft peak and then return to Vancouver Island all in one day.

California was a whirlwind trip with a great climbing partner and included a very long non stop drive from Vancouver Island. Eastern Sierra granite and mountains was the objective successfully climbing 4 peaks in 4 days. My very first 14,000 foot summit was achieved by scaling the East Ridge of Mount Russell.

Olympic Peninsula – Washington

Olympic Peninsula Second Beach Chris Istace

Mount Baker – Washington

Washington Mount Baker Coleman Deming Route Chris Istace

Eastern Sierra – California

Eastern Sierra California Chris Istace

Where Do We Go Next

After going through these images to create my 2017 photo essay I can’t wait for what 2018 has in store. I know I will do my best to #ExploreBeyondTheUsual as always. Returning to California’s Eastern Sierra is planned. Due to poor weather we didn’t get to climb Mt Whitney. In October I have a big mountain biking and hiking trip planned for Moab which should be a blast.

You can follow me throughout the year on Instagram at @Stasher_BC  to join me everyday on my adventures.

What is your favourite memory from this year?

What do you hope to do in 2018?

I would love to hear what you have to say in the comments below.

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photo essay 2017

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Join the discussion 19 comments.

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Thanks for sharing your amazing 2017! Awesome photos, as always.

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I was so busy this year and felt I missed out on a lot of trips I had planned. Now looking back all that work turned out to be some awesome experiences. Thanks for the kind words Simon

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Wow, incredible stuff Chris! I agree, Tofino is such an amazing place. I spent a week there in 2006 and would love to get back one day. And I’m super jealous of the Baker climb, that’s been on my list for a while now.

Amazing pictures, keep ’em coming and Happy New Year!

Tofino is awesome but it is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the awesomeness that is Vancouver Island. The alpine here is amazing a not many people realize it. Happy New Year to you as well !

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Georgeous photos, my man. Happy New Year!

Thanks so much for stopping by POF 🙂 Happy New Year

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Beautiful photos for sure! I’ve never tried mountain biking, but that looks like a lot of fun (and probably a lot easier to get into than many snow-based sports).

I really want to get into backcountry ski-touring but it is expensive (gear, avalanche equip, etc) and I already have money sunk into the mountain bike. On my financial path I need to be mindful of my spending and choose activities that align with my budget. Thanks for stopping by

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Jaw. On. Floor.

Mission Accomplished Thanks for reading and viewing my photo essay, means a lot that you stopped by. Happy New Year

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Wow! I can’t believe we have the same camera. I think we may have the same keyboard too, ha ha. You know what to do with your tools. And really live. I did do my first backpacking ever this year, so that is a start. I am amazed by all the the places you’ve been, just in 2017!

That’s great to hear you did your first backpacking trip, hope you had a blast. I really try to focus on going places and doing things that bring happiness into my life. We need to focus on doing what we enjoy while we still can.

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Beautiful – love the BW mountain photos. We climbed Whitney a few years ago – time for another trip!

Thanks for visiting and checking out my post Steve. I’m looking forward to returning to Whitney Portal and spending more time in the area again.

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These photos are incredible Chris!

Thanks Matt, it was an incredible year and great photos are easy when you are in stunning locations 🙂 Cheers

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Gorgeous, thank you for sharing!

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There are some very spectacular photos! Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with in 2018.

Thanks so much !

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Examples

Photo Essay

Photo essay generator.

photo essay 2017

We all know that photographs tell a story. These still images may be seen from various perspectives and are interpreted in different ways. Oftentimes, photographers like to give dramatic meaning to various scenarios. For instance, a blooming flower signifies a new life. Photographs always hold a deeper meaning than what they actually are.

In essay writing , photographs along with its supporting texts, play a significant role in conveying a message. Here are some examples of these kinds of photo-text combinations.

What is Photo Essay? A photo essay is a visual storytelling method that utilizes a sequence of carefully curated photographs to convey a narrative, explore a theme, or evoke specific emotions. It goes beyond individual images, aiming to tell a cohesive and impactful story through the arrangement and combination of pictures.

Photo Essay Format

A photo essay is a series of photographs that are intended to tell a story or evoke a series of emotions in the viewer. It is a powerful way to convey messages without the need for many words. Here is a format to guide you in creating an effective photo essay:

1. Choose a Compelling Topic

Select a subject that you are passionate about or that you find intriguing. Ensure the topic has a clear narrative that can be expressed visually.

2. Plan Your Shots

Outline the story you wish to tell. This could involve a beginning, middle, and end or a thematic approach. Decide on the types of shots you need (e.g., wide shots, close-ups, portraits, action shots) to best tell the story.

3. Take Your Photographs

Capture a variety of images to have a wide selection when editing your essay. Focus on images that convey emotion, tell a story, or highlight your theme.

4. Edit Your Photos

Select the strongest images that best convey your message or story. Edit for consistency in style, color, and lighting to ensure the essay flows smoothly.

5. Arrange Your Photos

Order your images in a way that makes sense narratively or thematically. Consider transitions between photos to ensure they lead the viewer naturally through the story.

6. Include Captions or Text (Optional)

Write captions to provide context, add depth, or explain the significance of each photo. Keep text concise and impactful, letting the images remain the focus.

7. Present Your Photo Essay

Choose a platform for presentation, whether online, in a gallery, or as a printed booklet. Consider the layout and design, ensuring that it complements and enhances the visual narrative.

8. Conclude with Impact

End with a strong image or a conclusion that encapsulates the essence of your essay. Leave the viewer with something to ponder , reflecting on the message or emotions you aimed to convey.

Best Photo Essay Example?

One notable example of a powerful photo essay is “The Photographic Essay: Paul Fusco’s ‘RFK Funeral Train'” by Paul Fusco. This photo essay captures the emotional journey of the train carrying the body of Robert F. Kennedy from New York to Washington, D.C., after his assassination in 1968. Fusco’s images beautifully and poignantly document the mourning and respect shown by people along the train route. The series is a moving portrayal of grief, unity, and the impact of a historical moment on the lives of ordinary individuals. The photographs are both artistically compelling and deeply human, making it a notable example of the potential for photo essays to convey complex emotions and historical narratives.

Photo Essay Examples and Ideas to Edit & Download

  • A Day in the Life Photo Essay
  • Behind the scenes Photo Essay
  • Event Photo Essay
  • Photo Essay on Meal
  • Photo Essay on Photo walking
  • Photo Essay on Protest
  • Photo Essay on Abandoned building
  • Education photo essay
  • Photo Essay on Events
  • Follow the change Photo Essay
  • Photo Essay on Personal experiences

Photo Essay Examples & Templates

1. narrative photo essay format example.

Narrative Photo Essay

nytimes.com

2. Student Photo Essay Example

Student Photo Example

3. Great Depression Essay Example

Great Depression Essay

thshistory.files.wordpress.com

4. Example of Photo Essay

Example of Photo Essay

weresearchit.co.uk

5. Photo Essay Examples About Nature

Photo Essay Examples About Nature

cge-media-library.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com

6. Travel Photo Example

Travel Photo Example2

theguardian.com

7. Free Photo Essay Example

Free Photo Essay

vasantvalley.org

Most Interesting Photo Essays of 2019

Now that you are educated with the fundamentals of photo essays, why not lay eyes on some great photo essays for inspiration. To give you a glimpse of a few epitomes, we collected the best and fascinating photo essays for you. The handpicked samples are as follows:

8. Toys and Us

Toys and Us

journals.openedition.org

This photo essay presents its subject which is the latest genre of photography, toy photography. In this type of picture taking, the photographer aims to give life on the toys and treat them as his/her model. This photography follows the idea of a toy researcher, Katrina Heljakka, who states that also adults and not only children are interested in reimagining and preserving the characters of their toys with the means of roleplay and creating a story about these toys. This photo essay is based on the self-reflection of the author on a friend’s toys in their home environment.

9. The Faces of Nature Example

The Faces of Nature

godandnature.asa3.org

This photo essay and collection caters the creativity of the author’s mind in seeing the world. In her composition, she justified that there are millions of faces that are naturally made that some of us have not noticed. She also presented tons of photos showing different natural objects that form patterns of faces. Though it was not mentioned in the essay itself, the author has unconsciously showcased the psychological phenomenon, pareidolia. This is the tendency to translate an obscure stimulus that let the observer see faces in inanimate objects or abstract patterns, or even hearing concealed messages in music.

10. The Country Doctor Example

The Country Doctor

us1.campaign-archive.com

This photo essay depicts the medical hardships in a small rural town in Colorado called Kremling. For 23 days, Smith shadowed Dr. Ernest Ceriani, witnessing the dramatic life of the small town and capturing the woeful crisis of the region. The picture in this photographic essay was photographed by Smith himself for Life magazine in 1948 but remained as fascinating as it was posted weeks ago.

11. New York City Coffeehouses

New York City Coffeehouses

lens.blogs.nytimes.com

Café Latte, cappuccino, espresso, or flat white—of course, you know these if you have visited a coffee shop at least once. However, the photographer of this photo essay took it to a whole new level of experience. Within two to three days of visiting various coffee places, Mr. Gavrysh stayed most of his day observing at the finest details such as the source of the coffee, the procedure of delivering them, and the process of roasting and grounding them. He also watched how did the baristas perfect the drinks and the reaction of the customers as they received their ordered coffee with delights in their faces. Gavrysh did not mean to compose a coffeehouse guide, but to make a composition that describes modern, local places where coffee is sipped and treated with respect.

12. Hungry Planet: What The World Eats

Hungry Planet What The World Eats

13. Photo Essay Example

Photo Essay Example

cah.utexas.edu

14. Photo Essay in PDF

Photo Essay in PDF

condor.depaul.edu

15. Sample Photo Essay Example

Sample Photo Essay

colorado.edu

16. Basic Photo Essay Example

Basic Photo Essay

adaptation-undp.org

17. Printable Photo Essay Example

Printable Photo Essay

One of the basic necessity of a person to live according to his/her will is food. In this photo essay, you will see how these necessities vary in several ways. In 2005, a pair of Peter Menzel and Faith D’ Aluisio released a book that showcased the meals of an average family in 24 countries. Ecuador, south-central Mali, China, Mexico, Kuwait, Norway, and Greenland are among the nations they visited.  This photo essay is written to raise awareness about the influence of environment and culture to the cost and calories of the foods laid on the various dining tables across the globe.

Photo essays are not just about photographic aesthetics but also the stories that authors built behind those pictures. In this collection of captivating photo essays, reflect on how to write your own. If you are allured and still can’t get enough, there’s no need for you to be frantic about. Besides, there are thousands of samples and templates on our website to browse. Visit us to check them all out.

What are good topics for a photo essay?

  • Urban Exploration: Document the unique architecture, street life, and cultural diversity of urban environments.
  • Environmental Conservation: Capture the beauty of natural landscapes or document environmental issues, showcasing the impact of climate change or conservation efforts.
  • Everyday Life in Your Community: Showcase the daily lives, traditions, and activities of people in your local community.
  • Family Traditions: Document the customs, rituals, and special moments within your own family or another family.
  • Youth Culture: Explore the lifestyle, challenges, and aspirations of young people in your community or around the world.
  • Behind-the-Scenes at an Event: Provide a backstage look at the preparation and execution of an event, such as a concert, festival, or sports competition.
  • A Day in the Life of a Profession: Follow a professional in their daily activities, offering insights into their work, challenges, and routines.
  • Social Issues: Address important social issues like homelessness, poverty, immigration, or healthcare, raising awareness through visual storytelling.
  • Cultural Celebrations: Document cultural festivals, ceremonies, or celebrations that showcase the diversity of traditions in your region or beyond.
  • Education Around the World: Explore the various facets of education globally, from classrooms to the challenges students face in different cultures.
  • Workplace Dynamics: Capture the atmosphere, interactions, and diversity within different workplaces or industries.
  • Street Art and Graffiti: Document the vibrant and dynamic world of street art, capturing the expressions of local artists.
  • Animal Rescues or Shelters: Focus on the efforts of organizations or individuals dedicated to rescuing and caring for animals.
  • Migration Stories: Explore the experiences and challenges of individuals or communities affected by migration.
  • Global Food Culture: Document the diversity of food cultures, from local markets to family meals, showcasing the role of food in different societies.

How to Write a Photo Essay

First of all, you would need to find a topic that you are interested in. With this, you can conduct thorough research on the topic that goes beyond what is common. This would mean that it would be necessary to look for facts that not a lot of people know about. Not only will this make your essay interesting, but this may also help you capture the necessary elements for your images.

Remember, the ability to manipulate the emotions of your audience will allow you to build a strong connection with them. Knowing this, you need to plan out your shots. With the different emotions and concepts in mind, your images should tell a story along with the essay outline .

1. Choose Your Topic

  • Select a compelling subject that interests you and can be explored visually.
  • Consider the story or message you want to convey. It should be something that can be expressed through images.

2. Plan Your Essay

  • Outline your narrative. Decide if your photo essay will tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end, or if it will explore a theme or concept.
  • Research your subject if necessary, especially if you’re covering a complex or unfamiliar topic.

3. Capture Your Images

  • Take a variety of photos. Include wide shots to establish the setting, close-ups to show details, and medium shots to focus on subjects.
  • Consider different angles and perspectives to add depth and interest to your essay.
  • Shoot more than you need. Having a large selection of images to choose from will make the editing process easier.

4. Select Your Images

  • Choose photos that best tell your story or convey your theme.
  • Look for images that evoke emotion or provoke thought.
  • Ensure there’s a mix of compositions to keep the viewer engaged.
  • Sequence your images in a way that makes narrative or thematic sense.
  • Consider the flow and how each image transitions to the next.
  • Use juxtaposition to highlight contrasts or similarities.

6. Add Captions or Text (Optional)

  • Write captions to provide context or additional information about each photo. Keep them brief and impactful.
  • Consider including an introduction or conclusion to frame your essay. This can be helpful in setting the stage or offering a final reflection.

7. Edit and Refine

  • Review the sequence of your photos. Make sure they flow smoothly and clearly convey your intended story or theme.
  • Adjust the layout as needed, ensuring that the visual arrangement is aesthetically pleasing and supports the narrative.

8. Share Your Essay

  • Choose the right platform for your photo essay, whether it’s a blog, online publication, exhibition, or print.
  • Consider your audience and tailor the presentation of your essay to suit their preferences and expectations.

Types of Photo Essay

Photo essays are a compelling medium to tell a story, convey emotions, or present a perspective through a series of photographs. Understanding the different types of photo essays can help photographers and storytellers choose the best approach for their project. Here are the main types of photo essays:

1. Narrative Photo Essays

  • Purpose: To tell a story or narrate an event in a chronological sequence.
  • Characteristics: Follows a clear storyline with a beginning, middle, and end. It often includes characters, a setting, and a plot.
  • Examples: A day in the life of a firefighter, the process of crafting traditional pottery.

2. Thematic Photo Essays

  • Purpose: To explore a specific theme, concept, or issue without being bound to a chronological sequence.
  • Characteristics: Centers around a unified theme, with each photo contributing to the overall concept.
  • Examples: The impact of urbanization on the environment, the beauty of natural landscapes.

3. Conceptual Photo Essays

  • Purpose: To convey an idea or evoke a series of emotions through abstract or metaphorical images.
  • Characteristics: Focuses on delivering a conceptual message or emotional response, often using symbolism.
  • Examples: Loneliness in the digital age, the concept of freedom.

4. Expository or Informative Photo Essays

  • Purpose: To inform or educate the viewer about a subject with a neutral viewpoint.
  • Characteristics: Presents factual information on a topic, often accompanied by captions or brief texts to provide context.
  • Examples: The process of coffee production, a day at an animal rescue center.

5. Persuasive Photo Essays

  • Purpose: To convince the viewer of a particular viewpoint or to highlight social issues.
  • Characteristics: Designed to persuade or elicit action, these essays may focus on social, environmental, or political issues.
  • Examples: The effects of plastic pollution, the importance of historical preservation.

6. Personal Photo Essays

  • Purpose: To express the photographer’s personal experiences, emotions, or journeys.
  • Characteristics: Highly subjective and personal, often reflecting the photographer’s intimate feelings or experiences.
  • Examples: A personal journey through grief, documenting one’s own home during quarantine.

7. Environmental Photo Essays

  • Purpose: To showcase landscapes, wildlife, and environmental issues.
  • Characteristics: Focuses on the natural world or environmental challenges, aiming to raise awareness or appreciation.
  • Examples: The melting ice caps, wildlife in urban settings.

8. Travel Photo Essays

  • Purpose: To explore and present the culture, landscapes, people, and experiences of different places.
  • Characteristics: Captures the essence of a location, showcasing its uniqueness and the experiences of traveling.
  • Examples: A road trip across the American Southwest, the vibrant streets of a bustling city.

How do you start a picture essay?

1. choose a compelling theme or topic:.

Select a theme or topic that resonates with you and has visual storytelling potential. It could be a personal project, an exploration of a social issue, or a visual journey through a specific place or event.

2. Research and Conceptualize:

Conduct research on your chosen theme to understand its nuances, context, and potential visual elements. Develop a conceptual framework for your photo essay, outlining the key aspects you want to capture.

3. Define Your Storytelling Approach:

Determine how you want to convey your narrative. Consider whether your photo essay will follow a chronological sequence, a thematic structure, or a more abstract and conceptual approach.

4. Create a Shot List:

Develop a list of specific shots you want to include in your essay. This can help guide your photography and ensure you capture a diverse range of images that contribute to your overall narrative.

5. Plan the Introduction:

Think about how you want to introduce your photo essay. The first image or series of images should grab the viewer’s attention and set the tone for the narrative.

6. Consider the Flow:

Plan the flow of your photo essay, ensuring a logical progression of images that tells a cohesive and engaging story. Consider the emotional impact and visual variety as you sequence your photographs.

7. Shoot with Purpose:

Start capturing images with your conceptual framework in mind. Focus on images that align with your theme and contribute to the overall narrative. Look for moments that convey emotion, tell a story, or reveal aspects of your chosen subject.

8. Experiment with Perspectives and Techniques:

Explore different perspectives, compositions, and photographic techniques to add visual interest and depth to your essay. Consider using a variety of shots, including wide-angle, close-ups, and detail shots.

9. Write Descriptive Captions:

As you capture images, think about the accompanying captions. Captions should provide context, additional information, or insights that enhance the viewer’s understanding of each photograph.

What are the key elements of a photo essay?

1. Theme or Topic:

Clearly defined subject matter or theme that unifies the photographs and tells a cohesive story.

2. Narrative Structure:

An intentional narrative structure that guides the viewer through the photo essay, whether chronological, thematic, or conceptual.

3. Introduction:

A strong introduction that captures the viewer’s attention and sets the tone for the photo essay.

4. Captivating Images:

A series of high-quality and visually compelling images that effectively convey the chosen theme or story.

5. Variety of Shots:

A variety of shots, including wide-angle, close-ups, detail shots, and different perspectives, to add visual interest and depth.

6. Sequencing:

Careful sequencing of images to create a logical flow and emotional impact, guiding the viewer through the narrative.

7. Captions and Text:

Thoughtful captions or accompanying text that provide context, additional information, or insights, enhancing the viewer’s understanding.

8. Conclusion:

A concluding section that brings the photo essay to a satisfying close, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer.

Purpose of a Photo Essay

With good writing skills , a person is able to tell a story through words. However, adding images for your essay will give it the dramatic effect it needs. The photographs and the text work hand in hand to create something compelling enough to attract an audience.

This connection goes beyond something visual, as photo essays are also able to connect with an audience emotionally. This is to create an essay that is effective enough to relay a given message.

5 Tips for Creating a Photo Essay

  • Don’t be afraid to experiment. Find the right angle and be dramatic with your description, just be creative.
  • Pay attention to detail. Chances are, your audience will notice every single detail of your photograph.
  • Shoot everything. Behind a single beautiful photo is a hundred more shots.
  • Don’t think twice about editing. Editing is where the magic happens. It has the ability to add more drama to your images.
  • Have fun. Don’t stress yourself out too much but instead, grow from your experience.

What is a photo essay for school?

A school photo essay is a visual storytelling project for educational purposes, typically assigned to students. It involves creating a narrative using a series of carefully curated photographs on a chosen theme.

How many pictures should be in a photo essay?

The number of pictures in a photo essay varies based on the chosen theme and narrative structure. It can range from a few impactful images to a more extensive series, typically around 10-20 photographs.

Is a photo essay a story?

Yes, a photo essay is a visual storytelling form. It uses a series of carefully curated photographs to convey a narrative, evoke emotions, or communicate a specific message or theme.

What makes a photo essay unforgettable?

An unforgettable photo essay is characterized by a powerful theme, emotionally resonant images, a well-crafted narrative structure, attention to detail, and a connection that leaves a lasting impact on viewers.

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Text prompt

  • Instructive
  • Professional

Create a Photo Essay on the theme of urban exploration.

Discuss the story of a local community event through a Photo Essay.

Millennials in the Gig Economy

  • Emily Anne Epstein and Alan Taylor
  • February 18, 2017

This photo essay features images of millennial freelancers living in Los Angeles, made by photographer Jessica Chou . In her words, here’s how the essay came about:

A full-time job with one employer has been the norm for decades, but in recent years, the gig economy has steadily grown. A study by Intuit predicts that by 2020, 40 percent of the American workforce will be independent contractors. This project explores the everyday lives of young people in Los Angeles working in short-term, temporary positions as freelancers.

To explore the motivations and better understand the circumstances, I photographed people in their 20s and 30s from different cultural and educational backgrounds working on-demand. While individual paths to the gig economy are as unique as the people themselves, the decisions are typically driven by a two factors — the chance to pursue one’s passion or the necessity to make ends meet. In some cases, it can be a combination of both. I’ve found that once they have found this autonomy, the 9- to-5 work life seems less and less attractive.

The gig economy offers a unique opportunity for people looking for purpose in their work. There is the freedom to manage one’s own time, room to explore different work methods to better suit one’s personality, and the ability to provide meaningful contributions to one’s community. There is also the satisfaction through the ownership of the work — the process of investing time and effort results in the building of one’s own business.

On the downside, workers who are full-time independent contractors have little to no social safety nets. Independent contractors assume all risks, so getting sick means losing income. Additionally, all the responsibilities of running a business, like branding, marketing and bookkeeping, are now the sole responsibility of the individual. And with little financial stability, making decisions about the future becomes more difficult.

The gig economy seems to reflect people’s changing values and ideas about priorities in life and work. While greater personal freedom can result in income instability, it also provides an opportunity to shape one’s life in a more profound way. As Mai-Tam Nguyen, a pastry chef from said, “Even if you can make a lot of money, if you are not happy, what is the point?”

  • Email/span>

photo essay 2017

Maceo Keeling, 31, who goes by Maceo Paisley professionally, is a social entrepreneur who focuses on social and cultural themes in his work. He runs a media platform called Citizens of Culture, where he offers event programming and marketing strategy consulting as well as workshops. He also co-runs a gallery, retail, and event space in Los Angeles' Chinatown called Nous Tous. On the side, he dances and does choreography for music videos and models in brand partnerships. #

photo essay 2017

Keeling chats with attendees at his magazine launch party at Pocket Square Clothing in Downtown Los Angeles. Through his events company, Citizens of Culture, he writes, edits, and publishes a biannual magazine called Correspondence. #

photo essay 2017

Keeling gives a talk about his philosophy and methods of work in a social entrepreneurship class at Loyola Marymount. “I have mixed feelings. I kinda wish people didn’t have to take on an entrepreneurial spirit in order to do what they wanted. Like why does corporate life have to be 9-5. Who said that? Why does it have to be that way? People are are just trying to adjust work to incorporate values that are important to them.” #

photo essay 2017

Michelle Mabugat, 31, an attorney specializing in criminal law, takes client calls at her home in Highland Park, CA, on November 21, 2016. Mabugat, who graduated from USC's Gould School of Law in 2011, began taking cases as a solo attorney while she waited for a hiring freeze to be lifted from the public defender's office. With few prospects in full-time employment and having had some success as a freelance attorney, she decided to try freelancing full-time. She created a small firm with three other attorneys to share overhead costs, but they essentially act as solo attorneys, getting their own business and handling their own cases. #

photo essay 2017

Mabugat meets with one of her clients in Beverly Hills, CA. On the side, Mabugat also ghostwrites for more established attorneys. Having worked for herself for the past five years, Mabugat finds it hard to imagine taking on a full-time employment job. #

photo essay 2017

Mabugat takes client calls at her home in Highland Park, CA, on November 21, 2016. "It would take really a special circumstance for me to accept a full-time-employment job. I'm really happy working for myself. Everything I do, it's building toward something that is completely mine. And the money I make doing this means way more than the money I'd make working for someone else. The only downside is that because I work for myself, all the risk is on me. I worry if I get sick, I won't be able to work. And If I don't work, then it means no income." #

photo essay 2017

Andrew Hardy, 37, handles orders and inventory at The Old Crow Speed Shop, a hot rod shop in Burbank, California, where he works as marketing and location manager. He also runs a motorcycle tour company with a friend called Rebel Motorcycle Tours. #

photo essay 2017

Hardy checks out a car race at the El Mirage dry lake bed in the Mojave Desert in California on November 13, 2016. He and his business partner, James Faria, like to scout locations for possible tour routes for their company. #

photo essay 2017

Hardy takes a phone call at The Old Crow Speed Shop. Between his gigs at the shop and the tour company, he is also studying for his real estate license. #

photo essay 2017

Kate Stewart, 31, an event planner, splits her week working out of various clients' offices around Los Angeles. Here, she works out of the headquarters of The Unique Space, a co-working space, where she is contracted to plan its events. #

photo essay 2017

Stewart finds that because she is constantly on the go, working out of her car or in coffeeshops, it doesn't make sense to have her own office. #

photo essay 2017

Stewart takes her dog for a walk. She sometimes brings him to client's dog-friendly offices. #

photo essay 2017

Mai-Tam Nguyen, 31, a pastry chef, preps food for one her clients, Hungry Bear Catering, at Fishburn Kitchens, a shared commercial kitchen in Los Angeles, CA on October 27, 2016. #

photo essay 2017

Nguyen has been working as an independent contractor for two years, specializes in making wedding cakes, macarons, and desserts. As she works to establish her business, Petit Sweets, she assists other chefs to set up their kitchens, handles their dessert menus, and organizes food prep for catering events. #

photo essay 2017

"I've been working for myself for two years now and it's starting to grow. It's not easy. and I know it takes time. But I'm thinking more long-term. I want to use the time I have now to establish myself, so in the future, if I wanted to have a family, I can control how I want to work. Working in a restaurant, you just don't get that kind of freedom. The hours are incredibly long, and at the end of the day, you go to work and you go home and you collect a paycheck. It's so much more rewarding when you're working toward building something that is your own." #

photo essay 2017

Heather Abbott, 30, works as digital communications designer at an architecture firm, HKS Inc, as her day job. On the side, she takes on other gigs that allow her to use her skills as a designer to engage in work that supports social justice efforts. #

photo essay 2017

Abbott takes a photo of a flower in Bolinas, California, where she attended a work retreat for The Dinner Party, a nonprofit that works with communities that have experienced loss. The Dinner Party is one of six jobs Abbott does. As an activist, she is passionate about the arts and social justice issues such as grief counseling, LGBTQ culture, and the Black Lives Matter movement. #

photo essay 2017

After her day job, Abbott answers e-mails for her other gigs. She runs an Instagram account called The Invisible Tomboy, an account that reflects LBGTQ life, and contributes designs and illustration for the Black Lives Matter movement. Her goal is ultimately to establish herself enough so she can focus solely on projects that reflect her passion. #

photo essay 2017

Nicole Santa Cruz, 31, a homicide reporter at The Los Angeles Times, interviews a woman about a young man who was gunned down behind his home in South Los Angeles. #

photo essay 2017

Cruz visits a memorial for the young man who was killed. To cope with the emotional nature of her job, Santa Cruz took on pilates as a way to balance the mental stress. #

photo essay 2017

As she trains to get her pilates instructor license, Santa Cruz practices teaching on a friend and colleague, Ameera Butt, at her home in Mar Vista, California. #

photo essay 2017

Ryan-James Velasco, 29, looks for a wig and a fat suit at Hollywood Toys & Costumes. He works in film production as a freelance assistant and coordinator for various production companies in the entertainment industry. "At first when I thought about freelancing, I was pretty scared. I wasn't sure if it was something I'd be able to pull off. But then I remembered there's always things like Postmates if I needed the extra income." #

photo essay 2017

Prior to working as a production assistant, he worked as a physical therapist for six years. When he realized that being a physical therapist was not something he actually wanted to do, he decided to try to get his foot in the door in the entertainment industry. It was something he had always been interested in and felt better suited his personality. #

photo essay 2017

“The work is active, every day is different, and I like the working in the industry. It’s fun, it's creative, and I like the feeling of working with a team to make something come together. And I can actually see myself going somewhere with this. I know in this industry, it's the experience that counts, and I'm willing to work my way up. I'd like to see myself as a creative producer one day." #

photo essay 2017

Vincent Venturella, 34, sets up the lights and camera for a video interview shoot while on assignment for The Hollywood Reporter at The Goodwill Community Enrichment Center in Glassell Park on November 19, 2016. #

photo essay 2017

In addition to shooting video and camera operating, Venturella creates music tracks for commercials and plays in a band called Castro. #

photo essay 2017

Venturella works on a music track in his home studio after a day of shooting. “If I wasn't doing this, I don't know what else I would do. And doing this, it doesn't feel like a job. The environment is just a lot more informal and feels more natural. Everyday is something different and I'm my own boss. I really can't imagine myself doing anything else." #

photo essay 2017

Juliet Seniff, 34, a screenwriter based in Los Angeles, California, decided to pursue her dream of being writer after working a few corporate marketing jobs. She uses her evenings and weekends to work the script on a new pilot she is creating for ABC called Twinsters. "I think in our particular generation, you expect to find meaning and fulfillment in your job. You're more willing to take risks in hope of something better, and you really have to believe in yourself." #

photo essay 2017

Seniff shares storyline ideas in the writer’s room of TBS's Angie Tribeca. "I feel like I tested out everything before deciding that writing is what I was going to go after. I tried the corporate life, I tried the 9 to 5. And I just discovered the work culture was just not for me. Working as a writer was just something that just suited my personalty so much more. It just made sense." #

photo essay 2017

"My career has given me so much more confidence, and I get so much satisfaction out of it, especially as something I specifically went after. It just gave me a real purpose and that I was finally doing the thing I could do best. It's way more rewarding and allowed me to find peace in that part of my life." #

photo essay 2017

Edward Do, 28, a music event producer and part-time IT technician, sets up lights and the stage of a party on October 21, 2016. Do produces events and parties for music and cultural event companies. #

photo essay 2017

While studying business at UCSB, Edward discovered the underground party scene and loved the music and the environment. #

photo essay 2017

"When I was studying at UCSB, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I studied business and economics just to pick something and make my parents happy. But I knew I just wanted to be part of something creative, and when I figured out what I can actually produce, these parties and make some money, I just decided to go for it. And I get to do this with my friends and be in an environment I actually like. And because of my experience of setting up stages and handling DJ equipment, I'm able to do other IT work as well." #

photo essay 2017

Sarah Kruger, 30, teaches an adult beginning ballet class at Studio A Dance in Silverlake, California, on November 20, 2016. “I had danced all my life as a kid and when I came to to Los Angeles to look for work in film production, dancing was something made me feel alive again. With teaching, I feel like I’m really contributing and doing some good. I’m providing a wonderful service to people around me and seeing my students grow as dancers and as human beings. I feel like I'm part of that and I get to fulfill myself creatively as well. It’s a really well-rounded gig and it's very satisfying because of that." #

photo essay 2017

Kruger teaches ballet at CA Dance Academy, Studio A Dance and at the YMCA as well as dances in gigs with her dance troupe, Cabaret Versatile. “Income stability is an issue and it’s definitely taught me how to be careful with my money. I had to learn how to save and be prepared for down times. In this line of work, there’s opportunity to make good money, but you never really know.” #

photo essay 2017

Kruger works on her dance reel with choreographer Cati Jean in Silverlake, California, on November 22, 2016. “I recently tried to pick up admin work to save some extra money, but I quickly realized I was not cut out to do desk work. After working for myself six years, where I was my own boss, working a desk job just felt so restrictive. It was just these long, tiring shifts with set break times, two ten minute breaks and a thirty minutes for lunch. I just felt locked down and at the end of the day, I just felt tired. And I wondered, what did I even accomplish?" #

photo essay 2017

Thomas Carroll, 31, works with a drone operator Alex Potter, on November 11, 2016, to create a web episode he is hosting in partnership with Los Angeles Parks and Recreation to promote the re-opening of L.A. Historic State Park. Carroll is the host and creator of the web series “Tom Explores LA,” using the series to share his passion for Los Angeles history. #

photo essay 2017

Carroll discusses the history of the Los Angeles River during a tour for the Los Angeles Explores Club on October 6, 2016. Through his show, he has picked up various gigs, working in partnership with organizations to give walking tours, make audio tours, and hosting podcast episodes. In addition, he works as a visiting researcher at Occidental College. #

photo essay 2017

Outside of work surrounding "Tom Explores L.A.," he works as a sign painter at a local grocery story in Los Angeles for reliable income. “For some of the stuff that I do, I’m not getting paid to do that stuff, but it’s still something that potentially gives me more reach and return.” #

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Commons : Wiki Loves Africa 2017/photo essay

2017 Photo essays winners : Commons:Wiki Loves Africa 2017/Winners

For Wiki Loves Africa 2017 , we want photographers to be able to tell the whole story. Not to just capture one or two images, but a series of images that encapsulate their interpretation of the theme.

Photo essays allow for the photographer, and (through their photographs) the viewer, to explore the full range of activities, ideas, and concepts encapsulated in one subject. In this context, and taking into account the Wiki Loves Africa 2017 theme of People at Work - with special focuses on Working Women and Rare, Fading or Threatened Traditional Craft, Styles or Ways of Working – a photo essay could be a series of people at the same occupation but in different contexts, or several people of a similar group doing different work, or a montage of images that explores one person going through the process of working, or a montage of images that explores a women-related professional issue.

There is a prize specifically for the best group of photographs by one photographer that captures an aspect of the theme.

How do you show that your images are part of a photo essay? When uploading your photos to the Wiki Loves Africa competition using the Upload Wizard, please make sure that the photos are numbered sequentially - for example:

  • Kisra Maker, Sudan Photo 1
  • Kisra Maker, Sudan Photo 2
  • Kisra Maker, Sudan Photo 3, etc.

Using google slides or another presentation method is not compatible with the licences that Commons use, unless you download or save the photo essay as a pdf and then submit the pdf to the competition.

  • 1 How to tag a collection of photo as photo essay ?
  • 2 What is a photo essay?
  • 3 What we would be looking for
  • 4 Examples to get inspired

How to tag a collection of photo as photo essay ? [ edit ]

  • Create a page with a title such as [[Commons:Wiki Loves Africa 2017/photo essay/foo]] (with foo being your specific title)
  • Add the category [[Category:Photo essay from Wiki Loves Africa 2017]] to that page

List your page below

  • Commons:Wiki Loves Africa 2017/photo essay/Traditional pottery in Nigeria (Nigeria)
  • Commons:Wiki Loves Africa 2017/photo essay/Rice processing in Nigeria (Nigeria)

What is a photo essay? [ edit ]

A photo-essay is a set or series of photographs that are made to create series of emotions in the viewer. A photo essay will often show pictures in deep emotional stages. Photo essays range from purely photographic works to photographs with captions or small comments to full text essays illustrated with photographs.

Examples of photo essays include:

  • An article in a publication, sometimes a full page or a two-page spread
  • A book or other complete publication.
  • A web page or portion of a web site.
  • A single montage or en:collage of photographic images, with text or other additions, intended to be viewed both as a whole and as individual photographs. Such a work may also fall in the category of en:mixed media .
  • An en:art show which is staged at a particular time and location. Some such shows also fall into other categories category.
  • In en:fashion publishing especially, a photo-editorial – an editorial-style article dominated by or entirely consisting of a series of thematic photographs

What we would be looking for [ edit ]

Within the theme of People at Work , we would be looking for photo-essays within either of those two sub-themes

  • Working Women or
  • Rare, Fading or Threatened Traditional Craft, Styles or Ways of Working

A photo essay could be

  • a series of people at the same occupation but in different contexts example , or
  • several people of a similar group doing different work, example1 or example2
  • a montage of images that explores one person going through the process of working example or
  • a montage of images that explores a women-related professional issue example

The photo essay could be either

  • a collection of photos with brief but descriptive legend for each photo example 1 ;
  • a more wordy narrative with illustrative photos example 1 ; example 2

The photo essay may be proposed

  • by one person or a group of people

We are aware that a photo-essay requires a significant amount of time and energy, but we think this approach could be a wonderful communication tool on the above listed topics. The photo-essay could be hosted not only in a Commons page, but also posted on a blog (such as the Wikimedia Foundation blog). A good photo-essay about working women could be relayed within the Wiki Loves Women network. A good photo-essay about Rare, Fading or Threatened Traditional Craft, Styles or Ways of Working would be likely to be relayed by Unesco. A good photo-essay could be published in a photo exhibition, during Wikimania 2018 in Cap Town or beyond. If you are interested in submitting a photo-essay, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We (the central team or the local teams) can probably help with the narrative.

Examples to get inspired [ edit ]

  • une story sur les femmes à la maison blanche : http://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=2K1HRGKUHAWP
  • les femmes somaliennes de Mineapolis : http://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=2K1HRGKG537C
  • native american women activists : http://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=2K1HRGKUHKMU
  • femmes à la NASA : http://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=2K1HRGKUHLXK
  • gold mining in Uganda : http://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=2K1HRGPYKIYV (I think this story is really excellent)
  • post coal depression in the Illinois Bassin : http://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=2K1HRGKG50OJ
  • http://time.com/3687500/photojournalism-links-january/
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29712786 (j'adore)
  • http://blog.conservation.org/2016/03/photo-essay-in-south-africa-a-womans-struggle-to-sustain-the-land-that-sustains-her/
  • http://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/multimedia/2017/2/photo-world-of-work (superbe)
  • https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jul/04/politicians-only-see-gold-and-oil-in-our-lands-the-wampis-nation-of-peru-photo-essay (plutôt compliqué)
  • https://www.theguardian.com/cities/ng-interactive/2016/sep/12/vatican-unseen-inside-secret-world-workers-photo-essay (très chouette)
  • http://thesmartlocal.com/read/dying-trades-sg (tout à fait dans l'esprit...)
  • https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala (implementation on a wikipedia page)

photo essay 2017

  • Photo essay from Wiki Loves Africa 2017

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A Year in Review: The 2017 Wanderlust Photo Essay

Celebrate the years past and to come with this collection of our favorite Wanderlust memories.

It’s almost December and we’re feeling nostalgic for this year’s plethora of Wanderlust events. From misty mountaintops to sun-laden seashores, from the wooded forests of Vermont to the blue waters of O’ahu, our festivals and 108s have left their mark on resorts and parks all across the globe. And while we’d love to sit down and share our experiences over a cup of coffee, pictures (as they say) are worth a thousand words.

Below are some of our favorite memories from this year’s Wanderlust events. Get ready to start fantasizing your travel plans for 2018—this list is sure to trigger your own desire to get out there and see the world.

 O’ahu, Hawaii

The journey started at sunrise. At Wanderlust O’ahu , we gathered at the Turtle Bay resort for sweaty yoga classes, cutting-edge talks, holistic island cuisine, mid-morning horseback rides, tropical hikes, and starlit dance parties. Many of us took advantage of the festival’s nature-laden campgrounds and savored the experience of waking up to lapping waves and salty ocean air. Oh—and did we mention the surfing? Newbies and seasoned wave-chasers alike shared the opportunity to get out there and brave Hawaii’s iconic, cerulean-shaded water. It’s the closest you can get to being one with Mama Earth.

Great Lake Taupo, New Zealand

The Wanderlust Festivals spread far and wide, as evident from these fabulous photos from our friends in New Zealand. From cliff-diving to farm-to-table cuisine, Wanderlust Great Lake Taupo was all about reconnecting with the gifts of the earth. Swimmers and paddle-boarders were even able to experience the warm, geothermal water currents unique to this breathtaking lake. And just north of Lake Taupo is New Zealand’s most visited attraction, the magnificent Huka Falls, where more than 220,000 liters of water tumble over the cliff every second. Talk about a photo op!

Snowshoe, West Virginia

We danced in the winds of the Allegheny Mountains for Wanderlust Snowshoe , located in the heart of West Virginia’s picturesque Pocahontas County. Perched at the summit of the mountain, festival attendees celebrated at the highest point of the entire state , creating an unsurpassed experience with their natural environment. Guests were also invited to wander the Appalachian hills and valleys, sample the locally-sourced cuisine, and try their hand at stand up paddle boarding at Snowshoe’s exhilarating Shavers Lake.

Stratton, Vermont

Nestled in the famed Green Mountains of Vermont, Wanderlust Stratton is a minefield of mindful activity. We witnessed talks from leading luminaries within the wellness industry and practiced alongside our friends. We danced under the stars to DJ Drez and found our breath in the meadow. We strengthened friendships and formed new ones. Fusing connection with the earth and connection to the self, this vivid and evocative festival experience is hard to beat.

Squaw Valley, California

The original Wanderlust, the Squaw Valley festival first made it’s appearance in 2008—though the destination itself was a source from mindful living from the very beginning. The deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, snow-capped mountains (even when it’s 70 degrees out!), and fields of wildflowers make Squaw Valley a playground of Mother Nature’s finest. We spent our mornings with sunrise hikes  followed by AcroYoga and Acai bowls. Come afternoon, it was time for slacklining on the lawn, Beyoncé flow, sake tastings with new friends, spontaneous parades, and camping under the stars. Enough talk—can we go back please?

Whistler, British Columbia

We found our true north at Wanderlust Whistler . Located in the awe-inspiring Coast Mountains of British Columbia just two hours north of Vancouver,  this year-round destination is ideal for the wide range of activities Wanderlust offers. The village offers myriad spas, shops, restaurants, bars, and accommodations, along  with breathtaking hiking trails and arguably the best mountain bike park in the world. Combined with inspiring talks from Wanderlust presenters, electric music shows, and a variety of yoga classes, Whistler offered us an unforgettable retreat into the deep North.

Tremblant, Quebec

Wanderlust Tremblant took us on a meditative adventure through the Laurentian Mountains. This iconic resort town is known for its forested hiking trails and and wide lakes, but we fell in love with so much more than the landscape. There were organic vegan lunches on the lawn, songs by the campfire, a silent disco, and meditations alongside the waterfall. It was the ultimate opportunity to unplug and tune in.

Wanderlust 108s

Who could forget the insane and expansive lineup of Wanderlust 108s? These day-long festivals swarmed the entire world with their signature lineup of a 5k, yoga, and meditation. Cities included New Orleans, Charlotte, Atlanta, Dallas, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Scottsdale, Portland, Chicago, Seattle, Kansas, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Denver, Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Tampa, Miami, Houston, Nashville, and Austin. We even broke a world record for Most Yoga in Pairs at Wanderlust Brooklyn!

The fun wasn’t limited to the United States. Internationally, we visited Sydney, Auckland, Melbourne, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Moscow, Hamburg, Paris, and more. Each 108 was an opportunity to make friends, try new things, and #cometogether. Below are just a few of our favorite memories.

2017 may be coming to an end, but the Wanderlust magic is set to continue. We’ll see ya next year!

Want to book your Wanderlust experience? Tickets for Wanderlust O’ahu are on sale now. For more information about future events, including festival and 108 locations and tickets, click here. 

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photo essay 2017

Let Me Be Free

Photo essay: our love of nature.

Carnamah 020

Growing up in the country I loved the wide open spaces and strong community spirit. As a child I had freedom to roam, take risks and learn about life for myself.

computer.JPG

Now I live in the city I feel life is always rushed, scheduled and too many people are caught up in their own lives. They don’t take time to notice their surrounds, smile and talk to passing strangers. I crave getting back to nature and to those wide open spaces.

hutt-lagoon

My mood changes when I am surrounded by nature and I have a clear state of mind. I don’t even realise that I feel stressed yet I can feel my body relax the tightness around my chest and shoulders disappears.  I feel calmer, my mind clears, my body relaxes and I finally I feel like I can breathe.

little-gum-nuts-024

My love of nature is now being passed down to my children.  With an overwhelming amount of evidence to show nature play has benefits for children such as improved cognitive function, increased creativity, improved interaction with adults, reduced attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and reduced rates of aggression. I feel it is my duty to immerse them in nature.

Carnamah Wildflowers

Whenever I can I get my children into nature. We go on walks in search of wildflowers.

Jumping in puddles.JPG

They experience pure joy as they jump, splash or feel the mud between their toes.

Dandelion.JPG

They make a wish and blow a dandelion. Watch the seeds float in the wind with the hope that their dreams will come true.

Dwellingup.JPG

Every path is an adventure. They are not afraid to venture off into the unknown.

Sunset.JPG

The children use their imagination, the whole family uses their senses in natural surrounds and I notice a change, we are calm, content and bonded as a family.

If you want to keep up with what is happening on Let Me Be Free you can follow on Instagram here and Facebook here .

Share this:

49 thoughts on “ photo essay: our love of nature ”.

This is a lovely photo essay. I can relate to your feeling and emotion.

Thank you, it is great that there are so many people who enjoy nature.

I like what you say about people being caught up in their own lives. Often we chase our tails over things that really don’t mean a lot.

I couldn’t agree more.

Like Liked by 1 person

Beautiful photos! My kids love to be outside – and the very best toy? A stick! I never knew how many different ways a stick could be used until I watched my kids play!

The good old stick! I think it is every kids favourite!

Beautiful – I love the laptop amidst that cos the idea of balance is important. I find writing (blogging) as rejuvenating / nourishing as the outdoors quite often so can appreciate that as well.

That is great that you have found something for you that is rejuvenating.

These photos are beautiful. I agree with the love for nature. I notice my daughter is much calmer and more content when we are outside. I try to take her out as much as possible. We were at the park at 7AM today and the beach at 6:30AM yesterday!

It is great to get out early before the heat hits! Good on you for getting out the door so early, I find it hard to get my kids ready to go in the morning!

Don’t worry. I only have one and she was up at 5AM – anything to keep her entertained!

Beautiful images and words!

Thank you, happy new year!

Some truly beautiful images here. Happy New Year. (Ducking in from the link-up)…

Thank you and happy new year to you too.

This is so true! I wish I could just nature trek everyday as it is relaxing. Our nearest naturific playground here is the beach so we go there at least once a week. Happy new year! xx

Jacq jacqwritesworld.com

I love the beach and we also go regularly. Happy new year to you too.

This is such a beautiful post and reminder of going outside..and looking up, around and about! I have been doing this much much more since moving to the coast and even my little back garden calls me each day to check what’s new. Thank you so much for the reminder of what IS important and linking up for #lifethisweek 1/52 Denyse

My back garden needs a little bit more love. Maybe that will have to be my new years resolution.

Beautiful post Anne. I can totally relate. Your children are incredibly blessed.

I know that you are a nature lover!! Hopefully the children will thank me for it in years to come.

I’m sure they will.

A beautiful message, accompanied by stunning photos. Thanks a lot. I resonate with your thoughts and feelings.

It is nice to know that this post resonates with so many people. Have a wonderful 2017!

Nature and children – a perfect blend of keeping them entertained plus educating them at the same time. I love getting back to nature too and find myself happiest if I’m walking the beach or trudging through some bush. Happy New Year #TeamLovinLife

I gathered you love the beach as I often so Instagram pics or blog posts about the beach.

Such peaceful photos! “My mood changes when I am surrounded by nature and I have a clear state of mind.” You speak the truth right there. Ditto here.

#TeamLovinLife

Thank you, I am trying to improve my photography.

What great photos! And it is so important to get outside. I tend to notice that when I am grumpiest it is usually because I haven’t been outside enough.

I can’t handle spending too much time inside, it is not good for the soul!

Being in nature feeds my soul – I love it! I love how you’ve captured your feelings through your fabulous pics!

Glad you feel the same way!

So beautiful! I want to spend more time outdoors too, this year.

Such a gorgeous photo essay Anne. I love blowing dandelions and watching them float off into the breeze too. I’m so pleased your kids love nature too 🙂 #TeamLovinLife

There is something magical about blowing dandelions.

Beautiful photo’s. You reminded me of blowing dandelions with my father. Thank you. 🙂

Glad I could take you on a walk down memory lane.

[…] far I have done two photo essays, A day in the life of a camper and Our love of nature. It has been great fun putting them together and I hope to do more in the […]

Anne, I love the way you’ve put this together and it’s so true. Seeing it illustrated really send the message home. Thank you x

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed it and I hope you get your nature fix soon!

Only one word – beautiful – . Thank you for the great post, continue to develop your children conciousness. This is the right path.

Thank you, I am sure we are on the right path.

This is absolutely fantastic Anne and I love it!! I love the life that we lead with Scouts as it makes us do those things, encourages the boys to be outside and just “be”…so many benefits to outdoor play and education!! If every child could get to experience what you do with your children and what we do with ours by getting them involved in playing and learning by doing, the world would indeed be a much better place!! You deserved a high distinction for your photo essay, saying that I love it just do not do the justice that it deserves!!!!!

It is great that scouts is still popular and I see there are lots of other nature play businesses popping up.

Like you I was lucky to grow up in the countryside. After many years of city and town living I finally returned and my kids now enjoy it to. I agree it is so important to connect with nature. I feel though that even living in a rural area we can sometimes get so caught up with our busy lives that we fail to mske the connection. it’s not just something that happens to city dwellers.

Parenting and Nature go hand in hand!

Beautiful photos . I love this .Nature lovers are always happy.

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Photo essay: Climate change is a women’s issue

Date: 08 November 2017

The planet is under threat. From human-caused greenhouse gas emissions to the overexploitation of the earth’s natural resources, unsustainable production and consumption patterns pose a risk to all of humanity. As early adopters of new agricultural techniques, first responders in crises, entrepreneurs of green energy, or decision-makers at home, women are agents of change who must equally be part of the solution towards a sustainable future. Learn more about the topic and how UN Women and its partners are paving the way towards change >>

Photo essay: Climate change is a women’s issue

  • ‘One Woman’ – The UN Women song
  • UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous
  • Kirsi Madi, Deputy Executive Director for Resource Management, Sustainability and Partnerships
  • Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, UN System Coordination and Programme Results
  • Guiding documents
  • Report wrongdoing
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  • Career opportunities
  • Application and recruitment process
  • Meet our people
  • Internship programme
  • Procurement principles
  • Gender-responsive procurement
  • Doing business with UN Women
  • How to become a UN Women vendor
  • Contract templates and general conditions of contract
  • Vendor protest procedure
  • Facts and Figures
  • Global norms and standards
  • Women’s movements
  • Parliaments and local governance
  • Constitutions and legal reform
  • Preguntas frecuentes
  • Global Norms and Standards
  • Macroeconomic policies and social protection
  • Sustainable Development and Climate Change
  • Rural women
  • Employment and migration
  • Facts and figures
  • Creating safe public spaces
  • Spotlight Initiative
  • Essential services
  • Focusing on prevention
  • Research and data
  • Other areas of work
  • UNiTE campaign
  • Conflict prevention and resolution
  • Building and sustaining peace
  • Young women in peace and security
  • Rule of law: Justice and security
  • Women, peace, and security in the work of the UN Security Council
  • Preventing violent extremism and countering terrorism
  • Planning and monitoring
  • Humanitarian coordination
  • Crisis response and recovery
  • Disaster risk reduction
  • Inclusive National Planning
  • Public Sector Reform
  • Tracking Investments
  • Strengthening young women's leadership
  • Economic empowerment and skills development for young women
  • Action on ending violence against young women and girls
  • Engaging boys and young men in gender equality
  • Leadership and Participation
  • National Planning
  • Violence against Women
  • Access to Justice
  • Regional and country offices
  • Regional and Country Offices
  • Liaison offices
  • UN Women Global Innovation Coalition for Change
  • Commission on the Status of Women
  • Economic and Social Council
  • General Assembly
  • Security Council
  • High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
  • Human Rights Council
  • Climate change and the environment
  • Other Intergovernmental Processes
  • World Conferences on Women
  • Global Coordination
  • Regional and country coordination
  • Promoting UN accountability
  • Gender Mainstreaming
  • Coordination resources
  • System-wide strategy
  • Focal Point for Women and Gender Focal Points
  • Entity-specific implementation plans on gender parity
  • Laws and policies
  • Strategies and tools
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Photo Essay Archives for January 2017 (6)

  • September 5

Making Magic: behind the scenes of The Magicians’ Hall of Magic interactive exhibit

The 2017 detroit auto show in pictures, the lexus ux concept looks like it will chew you up and spit you out, the most beautiful car at the detroit auto show is covered in dirt and dead bugs, the iphone turns 10: a visual history of apple’s most important product, the second avenue subway is finally open, and people are flipping out.

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Photo-Essays as a medium and voice for reflection

Profile image of Raheel Lakhani

The session described how photo essays aided me to develop and practice my reflective skills for personal and professional purposes during my graduate studies for M.Ed. at Aga Khan University. It illustrates samples of how I critically analyzed my beliefs and transformed them by combining photographs. Moreover, how I tried to be creative and weave in my personal and professional narratives (the photographic memory) to contribute in reflective conversation in my courses. It also sheds light on how I used photographs for participant profiles in my graduate research. The session also had practical tips regarding forming photo-essays and it usage for reflection.

Related Papers

photo essay 2017

Mirian Celeste Martins , Rita Demarchi , olga egas

Photo-essays were born as ways of thinking, investigating and arguing, inserted in researches master and doctorate researches. The dimension of poiesis in the authors' thinking and making photo-essays that were not initially thought to be exposed break the frontiers of academia and gain the space of cultural institutions. Thus, they were exhibited at the Historical and Cultural Center of the Mackenzie Presbyterian University (São Paulo, 2016) and at the Museum of Image and Sound / MIS (Campinas, 2017). In the first, Rita Demarchi's photo-essays enter the spaces of art exhibitions to "see who sees", Vanessa Galvani presents new lenses for the teacher and Olga Egas, highlights the use of photography as a power of invention in teaching future teachers. In MIS, they are amplified with photo-essays by Estela Bonci provoking the forgotten trait of students of Pedagogy course; Stela Aguillera presents the experience at the course Youth and Adult Education during and after the visit to the 32nd São Paulo Art Bienal; Débora Rosa at the same Bienal, accompanying visits from educators, subjects of her research and Filippa Jorge focuses children and contemporary art. Both the research and the experience of creating the exhibits allow reflections on some of the possible processes and spaces of these ways of doing / thinking research. Visual Abstract Image 1. Rita Demarchi. Spaces, silences, meetings, 2018. CHCMackenzie and MIS/Campinas. Overview, pairs of images consisting of four digital photographs from Martins, Areias and the author.,

Visual Anthropology Review

patrick sutherland

Reflective Practice

Joaquín Roldán

Photographs are often used in educational research, particularly studies using visual arts research methodologies. The visual and conceptual relationships established between the pictures themselves in a research report are decisive for scientific and artistic quality. We recommend the use of concepts such as ‘photo series’, ‘photo essay’, ‘photographic discourse’, ‘photo abstract’, ‘photo conclusion’ and ‘photographic quotation’. Each concept fulfils a different function and value as a specific research criterion. The article offers definitions of some of these concepts and shows photographic portraits made by students in the primary teacher education department at the University of Granada, drawing on the work of Lewis Hine.

Mirian Celeste Martins , olga egas

What kind of knowledge is being produced and how it can be discussed? Considering that "art is about doing at the same time as one creates what to do and how to do it" as Pareyson (1984, p. 32) says; we ask in what sense does the photo-essay work as a trigger of thinking and as a way to build knowledge. Is it possible to understand how this process occurs? In this essay, we are interested in analyzing how images are configured as triggers for thought and knowledge, which is itself magnified by the very production of images. This analysis led to researches that are not restricted to artists or to artistic research (AR), but are driven by the poiesis of the researcher in art, education and culture, as it was argued in our last presentation at the 2nd Conference in Granada 2014. Our purpose in this present essay is to focus especially on the use of photo-essays as an artistic research methodology, with reference to the studies of Joaquin Roldán and Ricardo Marin-Viadel (2012) and also to our own practice at the post graduate program of Education, Art and Cultural History of Mackenzie University (São Paulo, Brazil). Rita Demarchi photographs series that integrate her doctoral research about museums and cultural institutions, showing a careful process of registering silence and lurking in the universe that surrounds the connoisseur, the works of art and exhibition spaces. This way of capturing situations requests a constant openness to the phenomena which is one of the characteristics of artistic creation. The images are legitimized as they are a full demonstration of how images are able to trigger our thinking and produce connections between theoretical research and writing. The curatorial work of going over the pictures taken, selecting them and assembling them into photo-essays has allowed Rita to go beyond the thought about art and led her to an unveiling of relationships and issues about the complexity of the territory concerned, which as we think, would not come to light otherwise. Olga Egas promotes personal and collective student’s productions as well as cultural expeditions that together compose photo-essays of shared experiences and instigate aesthetic sensibility on these future teachers. Her doctoral research aims to use photo-essays as a way to keep the students and the teacher in a state of attention and invention and enable the construction of subjectivities. She also aims to investigate how photo-essay may constitute as a device to read and interpret the world and recreate other practices to handle the objects and events that we believe are an indispensable condition to the practice of any teacher. We present a brief analysis of these photo-essays and processes that involve the attempt to improve the understanding of ABR and reflect on the plural forms and the consequent expansion of ways to produce and disseminate knowledge. A new way to produce, organize and disseminate research and knowledge, which challenges the traditional and legitimized way of being in the academy. Keywords: Art based research, photo-essay, research methodologies, art.

Learning, Media and Technology

Helen Jackson

South African Journal of Higher Education

Salome Schulze

Megha Sharma Sehdev

This course explores how photographs can be used as a tool in the writing process. Many well-known writers such as Sigmund Freud kept photographs to help develop theoretical ideas; many more-including Arthur Conan Doyle, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, and Lewis Carroll – were amateur photographers and used photos to render descriptions of places. Anthropologists, no less, have used photography from the colonial period to the present in order to capture, remember, and analyze aspects of human culture in their fieldsites. In this course we will: 1) acquire basic composition skills in photography; 2) explore how photographs can assist us in developing an anthropological writing practice; 3) examine how photographs interact with writing. A text may strive to "replicate" a photograph, but we will also explore other dynamics between these mediums. When does the analogy between photo and text collapse? What can one medium accomplish that the other cannot? Other themes to be covered will include: rendering a description versus forming an interpretation; the place of sensations and interiority in the creative process, and the role of time and reflection in drafting a photo-text. We will also discuss issues of care and ethics in photographing and describing people, places, and objects. Course Structure: The course will be project-based. You will be introduced to basic photographic composition skills using principles of geometry, framing, and emphasis, and you will use the principles to take photographs of your chosen fieldsite. We will then practice writing descriptions drawing from our fieldnotes. The class will examine particular texts in which visual imagery has been coupled with certain forms of writing; based on these readings, we will experiment with writing techniques. As time goes on, the earlier data and write-ups will be re-visited to see what aspects may have initially escaped our awareness. Thus we will learn to " re-visualize " image and text in an ongoing analytic process. Toward the end, we will work on producing a vision of our individual writing that carries a degree of consistency and a narrative arc. Class website: http://craftinganthropologicaltext.tumblr.com

The Sage Handbook of Visual Research Methods

Terence Heng

In this chapter I discuss the various approaches social scientists can take to "write" visual social scientific essays. Although visual essays come in many different forms, they often take either a narrative or thematic approach, or some combination of the two. Using photographs from my own fieldwork, I will show how one can curate, arrange and develop photographs into a creative and sociological output.

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Photo Essay

photo essay 2017

A sustainable future for the Huerta: Kevin Fu (MArch ’18) documents studio trip to Valencia, Spain

Led by Aga Khan Design Critic in Landscape Architecture Arancha Muñoz-Criado (MLA ’92),…

Aug 10, 2018

photo essay 2017

“A familiar disciplinary protagonist”: MArch candidate Benjamin Hait shares highlights from studio trip to Scotland

Students in the Spring 2018 option studio “Model as Building – Building as Model,”…

Jul 24, 2018

photo essay 2017

Students experience “Extreme Urbanism” first-hand on studio trip to Mumbai

The Spring 2018 option studio “Extreme Urbanism V: Exploring Hybrid Housing Typologies, Elphinstone State”…

Jul 16, 2018

photo essay 2017

“Megacity at a critical juncture”: MLA candidate Emmanuel Coloma reflects on studio trip to Manila

Spring 2018 option studio “Manila: Future Habitations” traveled to the Philippines in February to study housing…

Apr 11, 2018

photo essay 2017

“Where the humble and the sublime complement each other”: MArch candidate Morgan Starkey chronicles studio trip to Tibet

Fall 2017 option studio “Tibet Contemporary: Building in the Himalayas,” led by visiting critic Zhang…

Mar 21, 2018

Clay Storming Workshop

Students dig deep in Anna Heringer’s Clay Storming workshop

For Anna Heringer, architecture is a tool to improve lives. As an architect and honorary…

Mar 19, 2018

Ornamentation

Monument studio asks, Which events are worth remembering for our time?

Fall 2017’s The Monument studio, led by visiting critics Emanuel Christ and Christoph Gantenbein, aims to design…

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Field trip to Harvard Forest for HIS-4447 Forest, Grove, Tree: Planting Urban Landscapes 3

The Forest for the Trees: exploring the interplay of art, history, and science at Harvard Forest

Taking a walk through Harvard Forest is like traveling back in time. Eighteenth century stone walls spotted…

Nov 8, 2017

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High End 2017: A High-Fidelity Photo Essay

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Great photos. Thanks. Next year i’ll go myself.

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Rhett, nine, left, and Rhys, three, wait on the benches at Crufts

A day in the life of a Crufts dog – photo essay

Crufts is one of the largest dog shows in the world with almost 22,000 animals taking part. Photographer Teri Pengilley follows the progress of setters Rhett and Rhys

Red and white setters Rhett (Gallybob Rhett Butler), nine, and his nephew Rhys, (Rustasha Golden Rhythm), three, are competing in Crufts 2017.

The show is expecting 21,838 dogs over four days, with 3,469 of those from overseas. More than 160,000 dog lovers are estimated to be visiting Crufts for this year’s show.

This is the eighth time Rhett has qualified for Crufts, and the second for Rhys. They are here with their owner, Brenda Bailey, 51, and their friends, bitches Erin (Caispern Winning Colors), four, and Niamh (Lovenjoel Belle of the Ball) 16 months, plus their owner Sam Soper, 39. Red and white setters are a vulnerable breed, with only 62 puppies registered last year.

It’s an early start at the Blue Inn Hotel in Redditch - and Rhys doesn’t want to get up.

Early start

It’s an early start at the Blue Inn hotel in Redditch. The dogs have to arrive at the NEC Birmingham at 7am – and Rhys doesn’t want to get up. The competitors in the neighbouring room kept Rhys awake from 5am as they were bathed and blasted dry.

“Crufts isn’t my favourite for the actual dog show,” Brenda tells us, “but it’s the best for meeting everyone – you see people you haven’t seen since last Crufts. Because the red and whites are a vulnerable breed and we have such a small entry, all of us are close, so it’s like a big family gathering.

If there’s any rivalry it’s between the owners rather than the dogs – sometimes we have bets on what classes we can win for a bit of fun. I had a bet with my friend Sam that I would get higher placed than her in Good Citizens so I won today. Erin came second but Rhett came first. We always do it for silly bets like a cup of tea

Red & White Setters Rhett,9 and his nephew Rhys, 3

Brenda arrives and enters Hall One of the NEC with Rhett and Rhys on their leads to register; the dogs competing in Crufts arrive at 7am ready for the first show at 9am.

As the day wears on, dogs and humans in the Red & White setter area are exhausted or bored

Hanging around

Once they have registered, the dogs are not allowed to leave before 4pm. They have to spend 90% of their day “benched”. They are comfortable and get to relax with their owners but it can be tiring for both.

As the day wears on, dogs and humans in the Red & White setter area are exhausted or bored.

  • June Harrison with her dog Corranroo Commitment To Siorrudh – feeding treats to Erin and Niamh who are benched on the right.
It’s sociable for both owners and dogs – Rhett has just seen his brother who he hasn’t seen for ages, though sadly his mum couldn’t come in as she’s on heat – Brenda

Rhett, right, waits on the benches

It is a bit of a long day though – we had to be here first thing this morning because Rhett was in the first show at 9am, and we have to stay until 4pm because the paying public want to see the dogs. Being a rare breed, people are really interested in them – sometimes they think they’re large spaniels, so we educate them!

In the red and white setter area, tired dogs and owners try to relax as they pass the time.

In the red and white setter area, tired dogs and owners try to relax as they pass the time.

Irish red and white setters compete in Hall One at the NEC Birmingham on day three of Crufts

The red and white setter was the original Irish setter. Like the other setters they were traditionally used by falconers, indicating the presence of game by going into a “set” or “freeze” when they scented game. Before the invention of gunpowder, they were used with nets and the hunters would come and throw nets over the crouching birds that the dogs had located.

According the Kennel Club, the Irish red and white was the preferred setter because its colours made it easier to spot when working at a distance. The breed suffered from the later popularity of the red setter, and the population dwindled in the first decades of the 20th century. Fortunately, in recent years, there has been a revival of interest. Irish setters have won “best in show” four times.

Rhys looks on as Judge Mr P Jeffrey examines a rival in the Post-Graduate class, Irish Red & White Setter.

  • Rhys looks on as a judge, Mr P Jeffrey, examines a rival in the postgraduate class.

Rhett is examined by Judge Mr P Jeffrey in the Post-Graduate class, Irish red and white setters

Rhett and Rhys did well today - they behaved themselves and were really good in the ring so I couldn’t ask for any more. They didn’t get placed but placings depend on what each judge is looking for – some go more on structure and some on colour. The shape of the dogs varies slightly – if someone has been on the circuit a long time they can walk up and tell you who bred your dog - Brenda

Rhett, and Brenda are delighted with his first place in the Good Citizens class, Irish red and white setters

  • Rhett, and Brenda are delighted with his first place in the Good Citizens class, Irish Red & White Setters.

Rhett’s certificate for first prize in the Good Citizen class, Irish red and white setters

  • Rhett’s certificate for first prize in the Good Citizen class, Irish red and white setter. Right: an exhausted Rhett sleeps next to his rosettes.
Today has been amazing for me, a complete joy. Niamh was third in her junior class but Erin has been the star, coming second in her postgraduate class. I’ve done a lot of preparation and Erin has had a massage every week in the month leading up to today, plus ring-craft classes and she also went to the groomers on Thursday. Today she just showed off her ability and beauty and looked really relaxed. It’s not easy to qualify for Crufts, so then to get placed under a different judge is amazing – Sam Soper

Dog grooming gets underway in the hall

As the Irish red and white setter competition draws to a close, other dogs and humans begin their grooming in Hall One.

Packing up to leave after a long day brings great excitement for Brenda, Rhett and Rhys

Packing up to leave after a long day brings great excitement for Brenda, Rhett and Rhys.

Rhett and Rhys will be absolutely shattered when they get home and they will sleep all day tomorrow. But they do love staying in a hotel room because it’s the only time they’re allowed on a bed – it helps to settle them in a strange place to know you’re near - Brenda

Brenda with Rhett and Rhys leave the NEC after a long day

Rhys is relieved to leave the competition hall

Rhys is relieved to leave the competition hall at the NEC

  • Rhys shows his appreciation on his way out

After a long day at the NEC, Rhett prepares for the drive back to London

  • The dogs seem happy to be in the car heading home

Brenda plans to go to Crufts again next year if she qualifies. “We’ll start again with the first championship show in May.”

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