This Post by S. J. Brown
Recently I was asked to give a talk about using photographs when writing. As a wildlife photographer photographs are an intimate part of my writing. I begin with the image, then write the words. With the aid of the internet you can literally have any type of image at your fingertips. Images can be part of anyone’s process.
All Writers strive to create an image in the minds of the reader. By using photographs your description can help the reader visualize the subject, the setting, or set the mood.
By noting the bareness of the trees and the ice on the water in this image you can add to your description and not use the word cold.
Having an image in front of you helps add subtle details to round out the surroundings in your story. A butterfly can convey a peaceful scene, or a warm day.
Viewing photos can produce a chuckle, and calm you down so you can get in the mood to write.
It doesn’t matter what genre you write images can play an important part in your process.
If you are writing a memoir Family photos are important.
If you are working on a historical piece or western having an image can help tell the reader about the personality of a character. Weather the horse is well feed or groomed says a lot about it’s owner.
Suppose your story might benefit from the addition of a vulture, but you have never been close to one. A photograph could give you a close up view.
The most important image to any author is their book cover. Don’t just gloss over this part of your book. It is important!
This cover grabs peoples attention, It says look at me. The fact that it my case it is a photograph and not an illustration says something too. This is the readers first impression of your work. It has to say take me home.
S. J. Brown’s book Close Ups & Close encounters contains over 50 images along with the stories behind getting those images. It is available at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=close+ups+%26+close+Encounters
Her children’s picture books are available through her website at http://www.sjbrown.50megs.com
Connect with S. J. Brown on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sj.brown.3367
Writing Wranglers and Warriors 
This is an interesting blog and I love the photos. You are so right, stories are nice, but they are twice as nice with photos. Thanks for sharing. Cher’ley
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That has always been my thoughts, but of course I am bias. Glad you liked the photos.
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Interesting piece. Sometimes before doing a scene inside a room, I will draw it out as an architectural schematic, even showing the furniture inside. It makes it easier to add in description as I do the dialogue.
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Now I know how fiction writers do it.
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Being visually impaired, images aren’t my strong point so I must rely on words to create the same effect.
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Everyone has their own system. It is important to use the system that works for you.
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Great pictures! I love the lemur!!
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Yes, He was cool. I got to hang out with him and a few of his friends for quite a while. He eventually came over and touched me.
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Love this. As you know, photographs also play a big part in some of my writing. I do love your work! Doris
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Thanks, I enjoy yours as well.
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Thank You!
Doris
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Great blog and the pictures tell a story without words definitely. Great pictures too. You are very talented. I like Mike’s idea of sketching the physical scene before describing it. Neva
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Thanks, I had a few written and couldn’t decide which one to post. Of course I am working on a new one for January.
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Fun post. And you’re quite right, pictures can help a lot with writing. Some authors will post pictures of the hero and heroine near their desks to remind themselves. Landscape pictures are a great idea.
Love you pictures.
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I know I couldn’t write without photos. I didn’t realize fiction writers used them as well until after my book came out and another author commented that she pulled my book out when describing a critter.
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I love your post, S. J. I like it when I’m personally trying to ‘caption’ a photograph. I have to say, though, that I tend to do the writing and then go ferreting for the ‘best fit’ photo.
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Glad you enjoyed it. Your system is different than mine, but it works for you and mine works for me, so as I see it both systems are just right.
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Very special post S.J. Your photography is amazing and I really like the way you incorporated writing into your photos. It gives pause for thought, doesn’t it? Your idea of looking at pictures to help with your descriptions in your writing is important, and something a lot of us never do. By perusing your photos I can see how writing about the “feeling” rather than saying it was cold, makes us better writers. Thank you for this priceless post!
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I realize everyone has a different way of writing and I thought I would share my method. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
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