Editorial vs. storytelling
What are they? And how to know what’s best for your family.
It’s never too late to wish people a Happy New Year, right? Well, Happy New Year! Along with resolutions, well wishes and clearing out any last holiday décor, updating family photos around the house always seems like something to get on top of early in the year. The kids are a little taller, their hands are a little bigger, and you want to document every last little change in who they (and you!) are so it can be frozen in time and framed above a mantle.
Many choices go into a family photoshoot, from styling and colour coordination to the location and background, but first and foremost is figuring out if the perfect photo you’re after will be achieved through editorial or storytelling photography. At first, they almost sound like they’d go hand-in-hand, but the differences will be in the prints and how your finished prints will look and feel.
Editorial vs Storytelling: What are they?
On the one hand, editorial photography is a more controlled environment, with families posing together for a specific end result; a stylized photo with everyone’s eyes looking in one direction and facial expressions matched. These photos are intentional and curated to deliver that one perfect shot. On the other hand, editorial can itself be a type of storytelling, just one that’s less candid and natural.
Storytelling photography aims to capture authentic, organic moments as they’d naturally be created and experienced as a family. For example, imagine a scrunched freckled nose paired with a mischievous smile, eyes tightly closed during a full belly laugh, hair whipped in all directions while jumping on a bed mid-air or a full-on pizza party. These are the moments from childhood that you’ll want to remember and hold on to. Storytelling photography helps turn a snapshot in time into a snapshot on the wall.
How are they different?
Next, the major difference between the two types of photography is that editorial will involve the photographer’s input to build a scene and capture things perfectly, while storytelling works best when the photographer is a fly on the wall, capturing the magical moments that you’re too busy enjoying and living in to hear the clicks of her camera.
Both types of photoshoots have their benefits to be sure. Editorial shoots ensure that you get the exact shot you want with the poses and themes captured just so. Storytelling can produce an unexpected moment and authentic view. Both can deliver a memory: editorial will remind you of a look, storytelling will bring back a feeling.
Choosing for your family
A more important question to consider could be which of the two will be right for your own family? If you have a very specific end result that you’d like to capture and your family members are able to sit still and follow direction, an editorial photoshoot is most likely the process that will have you loving your photos.
If you want the essence of your family captured and the playful energy of your children to shine through, a storytelling photoshoot is what you're looking for. This one is especially a good choice if your rambunctious child (or partner or dog!) has trouble sitting still and needs a schedule that's more free range. The best moments of these shoots can be found in the unexpected: a sneaky lick of an ice cream, a quick nap in dad’s arms, a dance break…any and all things that make your family’s personality the spotlight.
Finished product
When it’s time to invest in updating your family photos, the two things to keep in mind are the end result you want to achieve, and the best way to achieve it with your family. However, allow a minute to introduce a secret third thing! Always remember that things can change on a whim, temperaments can shift, naps can be interrupted (or nonexistent) and the best laid plans for an editorial family photoshoot can get turned on its head. Many lovely things can be promised in return for a picture of the whole family sitting serenely, but there’s always a chance that a shoot will progress more positively if kids are allowed to run around and express themselves.
At the end of the day, everyone wants the same thing from a family photoshoot: beautiful photos, filled with smiles and happiness, that will preserve a wonderful memory. It’s the ideal outcome for you as well as the photographer herself. The best way to achieve this completely attainable goal is to think about what will work best for your family in terms of the type of photoshoot. Everything else – clothes, poses, snacks to keep everyone happy and engaged – will come together in a way you'll want to frame.
