Shoot with soul: your visual storytelling and photography guide

It’s that time of the year again, our Student Photographer of the Year comp is here! We’re celebrating student photographers with once-in-a-lifetime prizes and experiences. Keep scrolling to find out what it’s all about and how you can enhance your visual storytelling skills and make your entries stand out.

THIS YEAR’S CATEGORIES

This year, it’s all about storytelling. We’re looking for photos that say a thousand words to secure life-changing prizes. Here are the categories:

1. COMMUNITIES IN MOTION

   In Partnership With the NFL
   
   Showcase the people and places that make a neighbourhood feel like home. From local markets and street festivals to vibrant cultural celebrations and traditions, celebrate the everyday moments that bring communities to life.
   

2. THE PULSE OF STUDENT LIFE
   
   Late-night studying, creative breakthroughs, friendships that feel like family–capture the ups, downs and unique rhythm of student living. Think libraries, lectures, the electric buzz of nightlife, housemate hangouts or quiet moments of study.
   
3. THE WORLD AROUND US
   
   Highlight the essence of the spaces around you, from the organic flow of nature to urban architecture. Whether it’s towering skylines or rural landscapes, simply tell us the story of your surroundings for a chance to win.

Whether you’re a pro or a rookie, show us your visual storytelling skills for a chance to win!

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS & TRICKS

Not sure how to get started? Check out these tips to elevate your snaps to a new level and tell powerful stories.

Pocket-sized power

It’s 2025, which means your smartphone is full of fab features to make your pics pop. On iPhone, think Portrait mode, gridlines, Live Photo mode and Burst mode. Android fan? Check out Manual Mode settings like ISO, shutter speed and focus for even more control over your photos.

The beauty of using your phone is that it’s usually in your pocket, meaning you can be super quick to snap those raw, emotive stories—even using burst mode to generate lots of images to choose from later. You can get up-close and personal with your subject, so think about the emotion, expression and gestures you want to capture. Look out for moments of joy, laughter, sadness or contemplation that help an audience to connect with the deeper story you want to tell.

Adjust exposure for different moods

Use of light and shadow is a great way to create mood in your photography. Soft and diffused light can create a feeling of gentleness, lightness, vibrancy and positivity while the use of shadow and darkness can add intensity and drama. Think about what feelings you want your photo to communicate and how light can help you to capture the story.

If you’re snapping on your smartphone, you might not know it automatically adjusts the exposure, so try taking things into your own hands! Photo exposure consists of aperture (lens opening), shutter speed and ISO (light sensitivity). Balancing these is the only way to get the exposure you’re looking for to enhance your photo.

Put imagination into your composition

How you arrange the elements in your photo matters in the art of visual storytelling. Use the rule of thirds to guide your viewer's eye through the image; turn on your grid function and place your subject(s) along the horizontal and vertical lines, or at intersections, to create balance, depth and connection. Don’t ignore background features, either! Surrounding elements can give crucial visual info about the environment and the story unfolding.

Experiment with different angles and perspectives to enhance your story. Sharp angles and unconventional perspectives can create feelings of unease, tension or intrigue, whereas soft curves and straight-on perspectives evoke a sense of calm, stability or harmony. What feels right for your idea?

Clean and keen

Although it sounds simple, you’d be surprised by how dirty your camera can get. Even the smallest smudges and marks will have a significant impact on your pics, so keep it clean!

Ditch the zoom

Don’t rely on digital zoom functionality for your pics. In most cases this will lead to a loss of detail—it’s hard to tell a compelling story if your snap is blurry! Try moving physically closer, or experimenting with longer lenses. You can also use a crop function in your editing software to remove any unwanted background details, afterwards.

So, grab your camera (or smartphone) and start chasing those storytelling shots. Level up your socials and win life-changing, career-boosting prizes along the way.

Good luck, and may the best snaps win!