How to take unforgettable photos with your digital camera? You’ll learn it in this book!
Title: The Photography Storytelling Workshop
Author: Finn Beales
Published: November 2020
Pages: 176
Publisher: Terra (I read this book in Dutch, review copy)
Rating: 9/10
First posted in Dutch on September 29 2021 and updated on August 6 2025.
Storytelling is a gift to photographers, letting you weave together characters, events, locations and subjects into a work of beauty greater than the sum of its parts. There are as many stories to tell as pictures to take, but there are also tried-and-tested methods you can adopt to help improve your photography and streamline your workflow.
In this beginner-to-pro workshop, award-winning photographer and influencer Finn Beales teaches enthusiasts and aspiring professionals how to master every element of the photographer’s process. By following his five-step course – Pitch, Prepare, Shoot, Edit and Deliver – you will develop the same successful, reliable working methods that earn influence and delight audiences, regardless of what genre you’re working in. Create intrigue, pull in your audience and tell richer, more rounded stories using your DSLR camera.
Want to craft a shoot from start to finish? All the essentials are covered, from building a story into your creative, shoot preparation, the necessary gear and props, working with mood-boards and call sheets, compositional balance, and directing models, right through to post production, editing and file delivery.
Photography has been a hobby of mine for years. I remember always carrying my small digital camera in high school. Over the years, I’ve used several cameras. Currently, I’m very happy with my Nikon Z fc (when I published my book review in Dutch, it was: Nikon D3200 and the Sony A5000). I use the Nikon for product photography and photoshoots for my blog. The Sony was a long time favorite of mine for travel because I can easily take photos of myself, even when there’s a distance between me and the camera. Luckily my new Nikon can do just as much if not even more than my old Sony.
I always enjoy reading and then trying out tips on how to improve my photography. When I saw The Photography Storytelling Workshop, I was immediately drawn to its concept of storytelling. I love storytelling and how you can use it. The practical side of this book also immediately appealed to me.
The great thing about this book is that it’s essentially a workshop, but one you can do at your own pace. The author provides instruction and inspiration, always followed by exercises. He uses examples he encounters in his own life as a photographer. Whether you’re shooting with the most expensive gear or with your phone camera, you’ll learn something from the book.
The book starts with the basics, including the equipment the author uses, both photography and storytelling. Through text and images, the author explains how to create a photo that will make the viewer want to take a second glance at the photo.
The Photography Storytelling Workshop emphasises professionalism and working with corporate clients, so the author walks through the process of creating a photo story. It also covers pitching, prep work, expense management, editing, and the selection of images. I found the tips, creative instructions, and many real-world examples helpful. One company even allowed the author to use their product shoot in the book, so we have a real-world example of the process. Think mood boards, call sheets, director’s models, and post-production.
My favorite part of the book are the workshops. The author discusses how to build a story around a product and entertain the audience. The projects/assignments aren’t necessarily commercial in nature, making them easily applicable to everyday photography. I also find it a huge plus that the author always includes practical examples, giving you a clear and powerful overview of the entire process.
The Photography Storytelling Workshop has become my favorite photography book because it’s so easy to use and a pleasure to return time and time again for a new assignment. In short: it’s a very informative book which I plan to continue to learn a lot from.
Do you enjoy learning new things about photography?
Love,
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