How to Create Timeless Portraits That Tell a Story

Here are some tips for photographers and models for creating timeless portraits that tell a story.

1. Composition

   Composition is one of the first ways to use your image to tell a story. Figuring out what you intend in your photos, and then having that represented in the composition is a sure way that your images stand out for their unique message.

   
   

2. Movement

   Use movement and action within the photograph to create a dynamic image that gives the feel of a moment caught in time. Adding movement gives the impression of a before and after within the piece and that the image is a single moment within a story.

   
   

3. Light and Shadow

   Using light and shadow within the image can help enhance the mood of the photo. This can be done to add dramatic elements to help play up the story or vision for the photograph.

   
   

4. Details

   Adding some attention to the details within the photo can add depth and reveal a story. The type of smile or pose could be thoughtfully used to add this detail, as well as the clothing or backdrop. All of these elements could be used intentionally to add to the story you tell in the photo.

   
   

5. Angles and Perspectives

   Experimenting with different angles and perspectives can give a completely different impression to the same set. Using different angles and perspectives affectively can influence how the viewer perceives the photos and can produce more narrative to the story of the image.