Tell Your Story

When taking pictures of an event, give thought to the following ideas. Before the event read these ideas and jot down a script or list of pictures you plan on taking. It doesn't need to be elaborate, but plan ahead. Brainstorm some fun ideas. Reread this section to make sure you covered the basics.

And what if your pictures didn't work as planned? Don't fret. You got better pictures than you would have with no planning.

If you're simply taking snapshots that may become part of a collection of images covering multiple events, such as "Our Fun Year Together," many of these concepts will still apply.

• The Story — Consider what photos to take, the order of your photos in the final movie, and how they create the storyline of your event. If you are creating a movie of your five-year-old daughter's birthday party, 10 photos of her opening her 10 gifts, and five blowing out the candles, will create a storyline that lacks the "punch" it might have otherwise. You may take photos out of order, but in your finished movie the photos may be put in an order like this to tell your story: 1) An opening sequence of pictures to introduce and establish the event, 2) pictures of the main event, and then 3) closing pictures that end your story. Instead of your usual random photos, you might…
  1. Take opening pictures of your daughter decorating the house then waiting on the porch for her friends.
  2. Capture an image of the clock a few minutes before the party is to start, to create a feeling of anticipation.
  3. Take pictures during the party of faces, hands, game playing, hugs and laughs.
  4. Catch a closing pictures or two that indicate "the party's over, the day is done": your daughter waving to her friends as they leave the party walking down the driveway, the empty living room with toys and wrapping paper strewn on the floor, your daughter smiling while playing with the new toys, or asleep that night with the new teddy bear in her arms.
  You can also create title or chapter images — have the children (or your daughter before or after the party) hold up cards with the titles of the scenes you'll have in your movie (Isabella's Birthday - Preparations - Princesses Arrive - Wild Games! - Aunt Judy's Big Surprise - Cake, Cake, Everywhere! - The Party's Over).
  Apply these "story" concepts to any event, whether a vacation, a basketball game, or a wedding — all events have an opening, the event, and a closing.
• Mood — Make each photo you take add to the emotion you are attempting to evoke in your story.
• Think Ahead — Charge your batteries. Take time to position your subjects before taking a picture. Remove unwanted items from the area. Plan where you want to be — do you want to capture pictures of the kids' backs as they run away from you towards the presents, or do you want to place yourself to see their faces as they run into the room?
• Frame Each Picture — Consider the organization of the main subject in the viewfinder. Use the rule of thirds (see Rule of Thirds). Avoid placing the subject right in front of an object so it looks like the object is growing out of his head. For times when you have control, remove items that would otherwise distract from your story.
• Let the Story Tell Itself — Don't over-choreograph. Let the event happen. Don't make all the kids behave, which might spoil the spontaneity. Just put yourself in the middle of the experience as it unfolds, and get in sync with what's happening around you. Capture the laugh, the tear or the frustration. That's what you'll love seeing when you watch your movies later.
• Let Down Your Hair — Have fun. Experiment with some trick shots.
  Get on the floor and shoot up at your toddler, instead of towering over him as you normally would.
  As you watch your boy in the swing, tilt the camera a little to one side.
  Take a few shots as you walk around your hubby as he opens a special gift.