One of the things I really enjoy about creating still life photographs is that I get to tell stories with them. And the stories can be anything I want them to be.
When I started learning about creating still lifes, I struggled with figuring out what to include in my scene and what to leave out. I kept hearing and reading that telling a story would make it easier to figure out what to include in my photograph. But being a literally minded person – if someone tells me to tell a story – my mind goes to telling a grand saga like Gone with the Wind or War and Peace. And trust me – thinking about creating still lifes that tell a complex story with multiple plots and characters did not make it any easier.
Then suddenly I realized I was making the whole story telling idea way too complicated. I didn’t need to tell a long saga, I just needed to have an idea for a scene and tell that story. Once I have an idea for a person, and an action or activity, I know what to include in my scene and what to leave out.
And the idea can be as simple as enjoying afternoon tea with fresh strawberries
Strawberries & Tea © 2018 Patty Hankins
Or coming in from the garden with fresh cut flowers and sitting down with a magazine and a cup of tea
In From the Garden © 2020 Patty Hankins
Or putting jewlery and a fan down on the dressing table after a wonderful evening out
One Enchanted Evening © 2020 Patty Hankins
If you’d like to tell some stories of your own with still life photographs, join me for my Creating Still Life Photographs with Vintage Objects Workshop on March 7 at my home in Bethesda. The workshop is limited to 4 participants to make sure everyone has plenty of time to create still lifes and tell stories. You can learn more about the workshop and register at https://beautifulflowerpictures.com/store/stilllifephotographymarch-2020/
