A Beginner’s Guide to Documentary Photography

A Practical Guide for Upcoming Photographers

Documentary photography is powerful. It’s emotional, honest, human, and, at its best, it can shift perspectives and inspire change.

After my last article went out, I received a flood of messages from upcoming photographers asking the same question:

“How do I start in documentary photography?”
“What do I need?”
“Where do I even begin if I have passion but no resources?”

Want more context? Read my previous piece, How documentary photography drives social change in Africa, which sparked these conversations. [Read it →]

If you’ve been wondering the same, this article is for you.

First, let’s define what it is: Documentary photography is simply taking real, honest photos of people and everyday life to tell true, meaningful stories.

Whether you’re photographing your community, telling stories of people whose voices aren’t often heard, or capturing the beauty of everyday life, documentary photography is a journey that begins long before you pick up a camera.

Let’s break it down step by step.

1. Start With Curiosity, Not Gear

The biggest misconception is that you need expensive equipment to begin. What you actually need is curiosity.

Your eye, your empathy, and your interest in people matter more than your camera. Start with whatever you have, even your phone. What matters most is documenting consistently. Don’t believe me? 10 years ago, back in 2015, I went to Nigeria as a volunteer for VSO, and that is when I kick-started my documentary photography passion. Every day, I woke up filled with curiosity. Without prior photography skills, a smartphone in my hands, and a curious eye, I documented everything around me for the four months I was there. I came up with a weekly updates blog called Impact Kwali. Check it out here. It still contains my phone photo stories. Inspired by what I had done, when I got back to Kenya, I bought my first camera and went all in.

2. Tell Stories From Where You Are

You don’t need to travel to find powerful stories. Your own community is full of culture, change, conflict, beauty, and resilience.

Start by documenting the stories around you. Personal stories often become your strongest body of work. The image above shows a Maasai moran competing at the Maasai Olympics, which happen in my home town of Kimana, I was always fascinated by the event and last year I made it part of my personal story of the positive change happening in my community. This year in April, during one of my documentary photography classes with students at Wajukuu, in Mukuru Slums in Nairobi, I tasked my students to document something amazing or something that bothers them in their community, and I was amazed at how creative, detailed, and observant they were. The resulting stories, all shot on smartphones, were proof that all you need is to observe with a keen eye, and you will see the stories.

3. Build Trust Before You Photograph

Documentary photography is 80% relationships and 20% camera work.

Spend time with people. Listen. Understand their world. Let them know why you want to photograph them. Trust is earned through presence and respect. Whenever I am in the field and meeting my subjects for the first time, I take my time to get to know them first. I do not approach them with a camera pointed at them. I begin by introducing myself and my reason for being there, then I get to learn a thing or two about them. If possible, have tea with them, learn their routine, and it isn’t until they are totally free with me that I remove my camera and shoot them in their natural element.

Shooting them immediately will make them uncomfortable and also may result in them staging the photos and poses for you, as they will not be in their natural element. So, my advice is, slow down, you can learn a lot by just observing and listening, and only when you feel the moment is right, do you start shooting.

4. Learn the Basics of Visual Storytelling

Documentary photography isn’t about taking random pictures, but communicating something powerful using the images you take.

Learn: Composition, Natural light, Emotion and gesture, and Narrative sequencing.

Study great photographers, but develop your own voice.

Some of the best documentary photographers I would recommend you checking out are:

Tony Wild, Steve McCurry, Bob Holmes, Luis Tato, and my personal favorite and mentor, Ami Vitale

For those looking to venture in bad-ass territory and go to critical zones, like documenting war, check the work of Linsey Addario

One of the most eye-opening videos that has influenced my documentary photography style is Photo Composition by National Geographic Legend, Bob Holmes. Check it Out Here. 

Bob Holmes has been all over the world, and his travel photos have appeared in National Geographic, Departures, and 46 books as the sole photographer. Working outdoors on most of his trips, Holmes is an expert at using natural lighting in photos. He loves looking for composition that grabs yo,u and his unique tip is that you need to “get in the zone” and be fully responsible for everything in the frame. And the key to learning composition is to practice. You can’t become a great photographer in a week, but you will get there by shooting as much as you can. Who better to get photo composition tips from than a four-time Travel Photographer of the Year award-winner? He teaches you to develop both a photographer’s eye and a photographer’s mind.

5. Choose Stories That Matter to You

Purpose fuels powerful work. Find topics that move you, culture, social issues, environment, identity, women and girls, wildlife, daily life, or your community.

When a story matters to you, it will matter to others too.

6. Practice Consistently

Shoot often. Even when you’re not inspired. Even when no one is paying you. Consistency sharpens your eye, builds your reflexes, and shapes your style.

7. Edit Your Work Ruthlessly

A strong story is built in the edit.

Ask yourself:
Does this image add to the narrative?
Is this the strongest moment?
Am I repeating myself?

Do I have the consent to use this image?

Quality always beats quantity.

8. Share Your Work Strategically

Use social media and simple portfolio sites to share series, not random images.

Post behind-the-scenes moments. Write meaningful captions. Submit to photo contests. Pitch your stories to NGOs, media houses, and platforms.

Visibility brings opportunities. Check out Picter Contests for open photography contests to submit to here.

9. Keep Learning and Stay Curious

Growth is continuous. Attend workshops, watch documentaries, learn from peers, and challenge yourself. Your evolution as a person will show in your photography.

There is one series I would like to recommend to any aspiring documentary photographer and its called; Tales by Light, by Canon Australia. You can find it on Netflix.

If you wanna learn the impact of storytelling, go watch National Geographic Live. Here, photographers and National Geographic explorers from all over the world, come to present their work. For instance, check this episode, Lynsey Addario: Lens on the Front Line | Nat Geo Live

10. Remember: Your Voice Matters

Documentary photography is about your voice, your perspective, and your courage to document real stories with honesty and compassion.

Africa needs more storytellers. Your community needs your voice. And the world needs your perspective.

Start where you are. With what you have. And tell the stories only YOU can tell.

Ready to start your journey as a documentary photographer?
If you have questions or want guidance, drop a comment below or reach out here, I’d love to help or collaborate on projects.
For more insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and resources for photographers, subscribe to my newsletter below this post or follow my journey on bmpicz.com.

Your story starts today. Pick up your camera and begin.