The Photo Shoot

            You pick out a place you’d like to visit, primarily due to the awesome pictures you imagine capturing. Perhaps it’s Yosemite or Rocky Mountain National Park.

            You make reservations, pack your gear, and take off.           

            Your task is to write the story. Setting is obviously crucial, so include as many sensory details as make sense. Readers will want to see what your photographer sees, hears, smells, and possibly even tastes.

            What does she focus on? Mountains or waterfalls? Flora or fauna? Rushing rivers or quiet ponds?

            Does your protagonist use film or digital? Work in color or black and white? Maybe even sepia tone. How does she frame the photos? Is the mountain top dead center, or off to one side so she can include a herd of deer grazing at the base? Does she capture the rock climbers or big horn sheep?

            Do any passers-by interact with your character? What questions do they ask?

            Have fun with this one.

Photo Prompt

            Sometimes we need a little help to get started. One prompt that seems to work is using an unfamiliar photo.

            Go online and search photos about dogs, kids or events. Or maybe food, clothes or places to see.

            Choose the one photo that speaks to you.

            Give yourself permission to ponder for no more than three minutes.

            Set a timer and write for eight to ten minutes.

            You might now have a good beginning for a story or essay you’d like to edit and lengthen.

            Have fun with this one.