In celebration of World Photography Day on August 19, NPR invited its readers and listeners to share the stories behind their favorite photographs they've captured. The response was overwhelming, with over 700 people submitting amazing pictures along with their personal narratives, ranging from amateur photographers to seasoned veterans who have been behind the lens for years.
World Photography Day has been celebrated annually since 1991 to commemorate the invention of the daguerreotype, a revolutionary photographic process developed in 1837. The day recognizes the art, science, and history of photography, acknowledging how photos have evolved to document major historical moments, capture personal everyday experiences, and everything in between.
Nature photography dominated many submissions, with photographers finding profound meaning in wildlife encounters. Sally Stratmann, a 32-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, shared her striking image of a bee covered in purple pollen sitting in the center of an orange poppy flower. She discovered this scene while visiting her former neighborhood, where non-native poppies bloom resiliently each year. "I thought the symbolism was striking, with poppies being the flower of death and bee species declining," Stratmann explained. The image of the bee continuing to live despite the destruction of its species reminded her to keep going. Her photography tip emphasizes that "the best photos are a mix of accidents, luck, and having a curious mind."
Lesley Cruz-Beck, 48, from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, captured a playful titmouse during an active spring breeding season. She spends at least half an hour daily outdoors observing nature around her property, and during one session, a group of titmouse siblings stormed her feeders, talking loudly and playing while barely registering her presence. "This one is my favorite because with a full tuft on display, wide eyes and a clear shot of the baby's lips at the corners of the beak, you get a real sense of the mischief I was witnessing," she said. Her advice for nature photography is simple: "Silence and patience."
Spencer Henderson, a 21-year-old birding enthusiast, shared his journey of slowly convincing friends to join his hobby, which took an amusing turn when his girlfriend spotted a Canada Goose before he did. After searching for ages and feeling left out while everyone else in his group spotted birds, he finally found more than 20 Canada Geese on a trail one day. "I was so relieved and ended up getting my favorite photo that I have taken," Henderson said, noting the image represents how hard work pays off. His tip encourages persistence: "Just be patient and don't be afraid to come back another day."
Keri Olson, 67, from Baraboo, Wisconsin, takes two-hour daily walks, using her phone to capture scenery that brings her joy. This practice helps quiet her mind and allows her to be present in the moment, which led to her favorite shot of a squirrel peering out from a hole in a tree. She and the squirrel stood completely still for several minutes, studying each other in what she described as "a sacred, fleeting moment of connection." Her photography philosophy centers on being "fully present, open to experiencing something that will fill you with wonder, and ready to capture something that fascinates you."
Human interest stories also featured prominently among the submissions. Mike Sizemore, 44, from Charleston, West Virginia, shared a touching photograph from Pyongyang, North Korea, where he captured two schoolchildren playing during a break from practicing for an Independence Day celebration in Kim Il Sung Square. Despite the oppressive August heat, two girls leaped up and started chasing each other, laughing and shouting in a moment of pure childhood joy. Years later, Sizemore still thinks about them and hopes their spirits remain unbroken. "Wherever you go, it's people. It's always about the people," he reflected. His advice is to "look around and take all the photos you can" because every photo captures a piece of today that might make someone pause tomorrow.
Some submissions revealed deeply personal connections to home and identity. Sabrina Hyman, 31, from Virginia, submitted what might appear to be an ordinary bacon, egg and cheese sandwich but represents much more to her. Made with a homemade Long Island Kaiser roll, Boar's Head bacon and cheese, and homegrown eggs, the sandwich symbolizes her connection to Long Island, where she can no longer afford to live. "This picture resembles the housing market on Long Island for me: out of reach, but once I get my hands on one when I go back to visit, it's like striking gold," Hyman explained. Her practical tip reminds photographers to seize the moment: "Stop saying, 'I'll take a picture on the way back.' If you have that moment now, take it."
The diverse collection of photographs and stories demonstrates how photography serves as both an art form and a means of preserving meaningful moments, whether they involve wildlife encounters, human connections, or personal memories. Each submission revealed the photographer's unique perspective and emotional connection to their subject matter, highlighting photography's power to capture not just images, but the stories and feelings behind them.
