In this class, we will be studying a photojournalistic approach to storytelling. We will be dissecting the essential elements that make up a visual narrative and mastering how to use your unique perspective to deliver the story you would like to tell. Through short lessons and image review, we will explore how to use composition, perspective, light, details, time, place, and emotion to create compelling moment-driven images, and how to sequence these photos together to create a strong photo essay.

Each student will be guided in choosing a topic to photograph and will spend the week using the skills learned in class to create their own documentary photo essay on their subject.

Each class will include group discussion as well as time to shoot. Students will also work 1:1 with Molly to discuss the progress of their individual stories. The class will be limited to 6 students so we will have ample time to dive into the development of each person's project. At the end of the week, we will be sharing our completed photo essays with the rest of the camp!

All you need for this class is a phone. No prior experience necessary!

Meet your Instructor

Molly Menschel

Molly Menschel is a writer and photographer who has worked with photography students from all over the world. With a background in creative writing, documentary radio and photography, she has taught oral history and audio production to teens and adults, leads multimedia storytelling workshops and offers photography classes and individual mentoring, both in-person and online. Her philosophy of teaching focuses on guiding artists to connect with their own source of inspiration. In her photography classes she emphasizes shooting from a place of inner listening, identifying the visual and emotional elements that draw you to making certain photos, and learning how to see the world around you in a new way. She lives in Colorado with her four children and has spent many summers on the shores of Long Lake!