I’m taking bookings for my newest photography talk: The Charro, and the Unexpected Rewards of a Long Term Photography Project.
The Charro has a fascinating mythology that inspired me throughout this 5 year project. I spent months, deep in Charro Country, getting to know the people, their traditions… and being taught some cool rope tricks.
This talk isn’t just about Charros though, it’s also a look at the challenges and rewards that come with taking on a long term photography project like this.
This is my second multi-year project. My previous one, The Aztecas and Storytelling for Photographers, has been booked over 250 times. In fact the feedback was so lovely, I decided to create another talk in a similar same format. A mix of narrative, behind the scenes footage, photo/process breakdowns. And a liberal sprinkling of photography philosophy…
I think you’ll really enjoy this talk.
“Your work is mesmerising! Your presentation was an inspiration.” Gladstone Camera Club
“Our members were on the edge of their seats for the entire time!” Hillsborough Photo Society
Ready to book? Got more questions?
TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS PHOTOGRAPHY TALK
- I look at the technical hurdles that come with a new project. Like learning how to correctly light horses and huge hats!
- I walk through my process for finding concepts, models and locations.
- I discuss how it feels to slowly shift from community “outsider” to “insider”.
- This talk combines “behind the scenes” video footage from my shoots with sketches, location shots, test shots and final photos, to show the details of how a project like this comes together.
- I close with the unexpected benefits I get from taking on long term projects. Because they go beyond just improved technical skills.
GET A FEEL FOR WHAT MY PHOTOGRAPHY TALKS ARE ALL ABOUT
My YouTube channel is a good way to get a feel for who I am.
PHOTOGRAPHY TALKS TESTIMONIALS
See what people who attended my photography talks had to say:
Very unique, very innovative, and very professional!
Storytelling for Photographers, by JP Stones, is very unique, very innovative, and very professional. His quest to build a narrative into his still shots puts a whole new slant on what we can do with photography, and really got us thinking through a whole new paradigm of what we can do with our cameras. He shared with us how to work with models, clothing, background, lighting, the use of smoke, where to have the models looking (not at the camera), things we sometimes don't consider. We recommend him to you!
I was engrossed all evening and learned much.
have been to many, many camera club presentations and I must say that JP Stones talk on Storytelling in Photography last night was right up there. His photographs are first rate. His location in Mexico gives an interesting new subject setting and perspective I've not seen before. And in the presentation he openly and generously describes his journey and methods of photography. I was engrossed all evening and learned much.
An invaluable session!
An excellent presentation! JP covered intentional narrative photography very clearly, and in such a way that everyone will be able to put the concepts into practice. We are often reminded (mainly by competition judges!) of the value of a narrative image, and I think this will be the first time that most of our club members will have been taken through the subject in such a detailed and informative way. An invaluable session.
A fresh and fascinating talk!
Thank you for a very interesting and enjoyable evening. There was a lot of talk afterwards about how great your images were and we were all really taken with your idea of intention and story telling. I think we often talk about an image telling a story but this often happens by chance so the notion of thinking of the story first and then creating the image is really fresh and fascinating. We are all going to go out and buy smoke machines now!
You gave us new ways to look at photography!
Your presentation last night to the Sierra Camera Club was entertaining and educational. You gave us new ways to look at photography which gives us opportunities to broaden what we shoot and create art. You used your striking mages well to illustrate your message. Thank you
JP presented us with some fantastic images
JP presented us with some fantastic images each telling a story in their own way. JP explained how he creates images that tell a whole story from beginning to end. In his 90 minute talk he explained how he works with narrartives & how they work with creating lighting, composition & the mood for his images. This will help us think about the story when creating our own images.
A very entertaining, inspirational and thought-provoking session.
A very entertaining, inspirational and thought-provoking session. JP's passion for photographic storytelling is obvious and his message contagious. He inspired our members to consider how to best weave a narrative into their images. I purchased a smoke machine and have the inspiration to include in my portraiture!
Best talk I’ve seen since I’ve been at the club!
I've been a member for about 5 years and this event was by far the most interesting and engaging. A view shared by many of the members and attendees. It was informative, practical and educational. The message of intent was striking and the progression of JPs photographs through the use of intent was remarkable. JP presented mistakes and provided solutions based on what the intention should be. It was a different mindset, which I could see the audience taking notes on. Even our more seasoned members. We enjoyed the story telling and the journey you have been on to bring to light the cultures of Mexico. Your passion and enthusiasm are an inspiration!
Bravo pour vos photos, pour leur esthétique et leur visée narrative
Je tiens sincèrement à vous remercier pour votre présentation de mercredi dernier. J'ai trouvé votre approche extrêmement intéressante, et donnant matière à réflexion. Je suis sûre qu'à l'avenir je vais pouvoir m'inspirer de cette perspective, ainsi que de votre message de cohérence globale. Bravo pour vos photos, pour leur esthétique et leur visée narrative.
We came away with a better idea of how to tell stories.
JP gave us an energetic and informative presentation. His theme of "intentional photography" was something we hadn't seen before and was quite refreshing. I particularly appreciated the critique of his own work with the hope that we might learn a thing or two. We all came away with a better idea of how to tell stories with a simple picture.
Very striking and well curated images!
Thank you very much for your talk. It was very enjoyable and informative with some very striking and well curated images. The portrait, documentary and street photographers amongst us will have picked up many tips. I will certainly think more about the intention behind my photos to help make them more powerful.
It was a truly unique learning experience!
JP did a fantastic job describing the path he has been on to develop his photographic style and how it has evolved over time to the present. The images he shares exhibit the care and thought he puts into his photography and telling a story in one photo. It was a truly unique learning experience for me and for most of our photography club. JP was able to explain his unique vision and how other photographers can adopt or adapt it to fit into their future work. I have notes from the presentation that I am sure will help me on my photographic journey.
In awe of your fabulous storytelling!
It was an absolute pleasure to host you on Monday evening. Our members felt totally inspired and in awe of your fabulous storytelling! Many many thanks for your time given to entertain and educate us all with some absolutely jaw-dropping images.
A very interesting and learned talk.
From everyone at the Phoenix Photography Group, a huge thank you for giving us a very interesting and learned talk. Everyone was very impressed by your style of photography. Once again thank you and looking forward to seeing your next talk!
A truly excellent illustration of the topic
Thank you JP for your great presentation. Wonderful work that clearly shows your connection with the people, and a truly excellent illustration of the topic. Lots of food for thought!
Our members were inspired to get out and try your intentional approach!
Excellent presentation! The club really loved it. Many of our members were inspired to get out and try your intentional approach to visual storytelling!
An informative and thought provoking evening.
An informative and thought provoking evening. Really helpful in stimulating the thought process to help us achieve the sort of ‘narrative’ we want to get across but sometime fall short. The devil is in the details, and we could see that in the way you reframed your images to demonstrate the point and achieve the intention. Thank you so much JP.
I found your talk both engaging and inspirational.
I would also like to personally add my thanks for last night. I found your talk both engaging and inspirational, and the photography was excellent. Thanks once again.
Every screen remained live until the end – not one dropout!
Thank you for your excellent talk. It was very well received. Every screen remained live until the end - not one dropout! Our members commented on the impact created by your storytelling approach to photography.....clearly the message is getting through!
JP’s work transcends photography alone.
JP's images have such beauty, that just on a superficial level they demand attention. But more than that, they transport the willing viewer into an unfamiliar time and place, and invite them to write the narrative. Our club learned a great deal about how to develop an intention for a photography shoot and work through that cohesive process to produce a narrative image which has a power and vibrance of its own. I would whole-heartedly recommend JP to clubs and societies - photographic and other. His work transcends photography alone.
JP demonstrated a different way of looking at things, for which we are grateful.
We really enjoyed seeing how JP constructed his images to express stories. The resulting portraits are superb! JP demonstrated a different way of looking at things, for which we are grateful
Thank you for your presentation. It was fascinating.
Thank you for your presentation. It was fascinating to see the work that goes into your image. Thanks for taking the time to explain the methodology used behind creating your work, as well as your reasons for capturing these unique images of an ancient culture that is preserved in this modern time.
Enlightening!
JP presented us with a really terrific program. It was enlightening and very well organized.
fantastic photography, well planned out and well delivered!
I would just like to say how we thoroughly enjoyed last night's talk from you. Apart from the fantastic photography, it was full of tips and things I will definitely keep in mind next time I am out with my camera, and also questioning what am I trying to say and what will the person viewing the image take from it? So thank you for such an interesting evening, well planned out and delivered, and we will forgive you for saying how hot it was over there, as we were all wrapped up in our community hall!
We are all enriched by this experience.
JP's method asks the photographer to build cohesion by being true to the intention and letting slip those rules we have all been taught about how portraits "should" be shot. The beauty of this method is how it helps produce narrative work of power. Any scenario, properly planned, will likely produce powerfully narrative results. JP's work is exceptional and inspiring. His delivery was well paced, comprehensive and motivational . He brought the exotic into our homes - and a new method into our thought processes. We are all enriched by this experience.
Thank you so much for your excellent presentation!
Thank you so much for your excellent presentation last night to the Duluth Superior Camera Club. There were so many positive comments about your presentation and our club and visitors took away so many helpful tips and new ways to look at the way we might be photographing. Again, thank you!!!!
I would highly recommend JP Stones for a presentation!
We had JP Stones present to us via zoom one night which was great! Our members thoroughly enjoyed his presentation, his background stories and loved seeing the behind-the-scenes of his images. JP was very open to any questions and presented very well. I would highly recommend JP Stones for a presentation!
Insightful and inspirational!
JP’s presentation to our club was insightful and inspirational. His story of where he began and his behind the scenes imagery set the stage for a better understanding of what it takes to truly create in-depth stories and photographs of such a culturally rich community.
Unlike anything we have had before!
Such a great presentation! It is unlike anything we have had before. Many of the points are applicable to the various genres of photography in which the members engage. Thank you!
Brilliant & very easy to listen to.
Thank you so much for your presentation to our club. It was very interesting & thought provoking. Your delivery kept our attention the whole way through. Some of our speakers are very knowledgeable but aren’t able to articulate in a particularly captivating way. You on the other hand were brilliant & very easy to listen to.
Ready to book? Got more questions?
ABOUT JP STONES
“I started my Cultural Photography Workshops because I was frustrated at not being able to create the travel photos I wanted to. Candid photos are fine, but I wanted my portraits to show the personality and history of the people I was photographing.”
“A great portrait is a blend of multiple factors: the model, the environment, the lighting, and the composition. But as a tourist you can’t control many of these factors. I wanted to change that, bringing tourists and local communities together, in a harmonious way. The more we learn about someone else’s culture, the more we’re likely to embrace and respect it. As a foreigner in Mexico, that idea means a lot to me.”
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