Telling Stories Through the Lens — A Simpler Way to Photograph with Meaning
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the way photography can tell a story — not just through a single image, but through a collection of small, meaningful moments. In this blog, I share a recent walk that reminded me of the power of slower, more intentional photography. It also ties into a new workshop I’m hosting soon, focused on exactly that: shooting with feeling, presence, and narrative.
A Frozen Morning Full of Detail
A few weeks ago, I went for a morning walk through Solleveld, a quiet nature reserve here in The Hague. It was early March, cold enough that the ground was frozen and the air felt crisp. The sun was just coming up, casting a soft, warm light over the frozen landscape.
Even though everything was still and quiet, there was so much to see. Frost on the grass, thin layers of ice on puddles, long shadows stretching across the sand. The cold made the details stand out more, and the warm light gave everything a soft glow. I ended up taking quite a few photos — not of anything dramatic, but of small, beautiful moments that together told a story of that peaceful, frozen morning.
From Impressive Shots to Honest Stories
That’s the kind of photography I enjoy most. Not chasing the single perfect shot, but building a series of images that together say something — about a place, a feeling, a season, a moment in time.
We’re often taught to look for the "hero" shot — the most striking, dramatic, eye-catching image. And those have their place, of course. But more and more, I find myself drawn to photography that feels like a narrative. Where each photo might be quiet on its own, but together they build a bigger picture. A story, not just a highlight.
Noticing Over Chasing
Photography can be a way of collecting fragments — light, texture, mood, detail — and letting those fragments speak to each other. A frozen puddle, a curve in the path, the way the light filters through dry grass. All small moments, but when seen together, they start to say something about what it felt like to be there.
I rarely go out with a strict plan anymore. I just try to be open, observe, and respond to what’s around me. It’s a slower rhythm, but one that brings me closer to what really drew me to photography in the first place.
A Workshop for Storytelling Photography
This June and September, I’m hosting two small-group workshops designed around one specific goal: helping you use photography to tell a stronger, more personal story.
We’ll begin with a sunrise photowalk through Westduinpark in The Hague — a quiet (at least at this hour), coastal nature reserve where the dunes, trees and sea offer endless inspiration. As we walk, I’ll guide you in observing the scene with a storyteller’s eye. We’ll look beyond single stand-out images and focus instead on building a connected series — one that captures not just how things looked, but how the morning felt.
You’ll get hands-on tips on working with natural light, composing intuitively, and finding rhythm and variation in your shots. Along the way, we’ll take a break for an outdoor coffee — a moment to pause and soak in the atmosphere.
After the walk, we’ll gather for a full breakfast at a nearby beach club. We’ll then review our work and dive into the heart of the workshop: the task of shaping your own visual story. Using a simple editing approach, you’ll select 10 images that together reflect your personal experience of the morning.
Two Dates, Two Seasonal Moods
📅 Friday, June 21 – The Longest Day of the Year
An early start for the clearest, softest light of the summer. If you’ve never experienced a sunrise like this in the dunes, it’s worth the early alarm.
📅 Friday, September 27 – A Quiet Autumn Beginning
The light comes later, the colours shift, and the pace slows. A gentle start for those who prefer something a little less early but just as atmospheric.
What’s Included
Guided sunrise photowalk with a focus on storytelling
Hands-on tips for light, composition, and sequencing
Outdoor coffee break during the walk
Full breakfast at a beach club
A few hours of review, basic editing, and personal guidance
The challenge: craft a set of 10 images that tell your story
👥 Small group setting (max 6–8 people)
📸 Suitable for any type of camera
📍 Location: Westduinpark, The Hague
If you’re curious to explore a deeper, more thoughtful approach to photography — and to come away not just with nice images, but with a story that’s truly your own — this workshop might be just the thing.
You can find all the workshop detail on the workshop page.
