Have you ever wondered why do we take photos? Why do we keep our best memories as treasures?
It's an easy answer: we do value them so much. They represent the story of what truly happened, in a precise moment, in a particular place. And if it is also possible to capture it in a relatively unique way, you have a killer combination. And this is what Storytelling is about.
The big charm is that these moments allow us to be part of the story, once and again. And most of the time, it's not just about if you like or not a photograph, it's more about how that particular photograph makes you feel. It's quite different, and I think much more enjoyable. Probably that's the reason candid photos have become so lauded in recent years. It's easier to evoke feelings and relive meaningful moments through a candid photo than a posed one. In fact, the more authentic the photographed moment, the easier it will be for everyone to spy out the personalities and moods of the protagonists.
And in that way, I must say kids are such a model of authenticity, and therefore an inspiration for my storytelling!
A perfect instance is the photograph I chose for this post, a lovely sample of what contemporary wedding storytelling is about. It was a small intimate group, including a few kids. And, being a small crowd, of course, I had plenty of time to focus more time on all the people. So, throughout the day, I took many photos of the kids in many situations. I was trying to capture their part in the wedding story, with all their natural candidness and joy. Their unique and brutally honest way to see the world and live the life, which we all love. After all, kids will always be kids!
Withal, we could say that anyone can take a candid photograph. Just don't pose the people, and be sure they are unaware that you're taking a picture of them. That's all, and then you have a candid photo. Even so, without good composition, creative vision, and capturing the right moment honestly, the photograph may not say anything about the person or their participation in the story.
Ergo, for a storyteller is essential to seize candid photographs to create storytelling ones.
After all, a good photograph can help the narrative or be the narrative; you just have to be aware to always fulfill the primary sense of the story.
Btw, let me tell you a little bit about the story behind this picture scene. It turns out this little boy, with the cutest elegant outfit ever, at a certain point in the evening, was playing with the flower girl's handbag —obviously with all her toys inside. So there I was, very amused, taking a few pictures of them. But every time I tried to take a picture of him, he realized. Every time I tried, he simply stopped doing what he was doing as if my camera and I were intimidating him.
