The Importance of Emotional Connection in Photography

Recently, the weather here in Ireland has not been very conducive to photography. Each day has had heavy rain, wind, cold and very little light. But not getting out to do photography has given me the opportunity to consume some photography content from books, podcasts and YouTube videos. As well as visiting the channels of photographers I know and whose content I enjoy, I have also had time to discover new channels.

One such channel is that of Simon Burn, photographer and staff writer at www.fstoppers.com. He recently released a video called Aesthetics vs Emotion, in which he discusses whether photographs that are purely based on how something looks – pretty view, good light, pleasing composition - are different to those that may be less aesthetically pleasing but which are created based on how something feels.

Simon Burn’s view is that creating photographs in response to how something feels means that the photograph comes from a deeper place within us. As a photographer we are responding emotionally rather than intellectually and we can ask ourselves, Does this make a difference to my photography?

The reason this video resonates with me is that I have realised that among my own photographs the ones that stand out, that are most memorable, are those to which I have an emotional connection. I can see them in my mind and I revisit them often. They are not photographs of pretty subjects, although some of them are also aesthetically pleasing to me, but they mean something. They have something extra, something that I hope resonates with the viewer. I didn’t photograph them because they looked nice but because of something I felt, and I hope that anyone looking at the photos will feel something too.

Below are some images that illustrate what I mean. In all of them I can ask myself, why did I take this image? and find an answer other than, because I wanted to.

Old School, Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo, built 1895. Every year I visit Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo in the west of Ireland. I have a particular fondness for this building, the former primary school, as I imagine the generations of children who passed through its classrooms until it closed in the late 1960s. I always feel a sense of nostalgia for past times and wonder where those children are today. The building has now been re-purposed by the local community as a centre celebrating local arts and heritage, and hosting local events. I feel a sense of pleasure when I see the building in use. I have photographed it on various occasions from different perspectives but I think this photo captured the old schoolhouse in its best light.

I came across this scene on my morning walk in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal. It was in stark contrast to the scene in the main street where shops and restaurants were getting ready for another day welcoming tourists. The scene made me feel sad as I imagined this being the breakfast table of someone who may have spent the night outdoors.

This has always been one of my favourite images. It gives me a feeling of contentment as this kitchen worker takes his break in a not very pretty spot but he doesn't seem to mind. He has his phone and cigarette and seems to be oblivious of everything around him.

In a way I can say that it was the aesthetics that drew me to this scene. The winter light transformed this ordinary corner. Yet when I saw the man with a walking aid coming along I wanted to include him as I admired the fact that he was out early on a winter's morning. It was a bonus that his clothes matched the rest of the scene.

I took this at the beginning of winter. I didn't dread the coming of winter, rather I wanted to embrace the change. This image of a person walking into the unknown illustrated this sense of change for me.

I had to echo the feeling of contemplation when I saw this young man standing on his own looking out to sea. I don't know him but I watched him for a while and felt moved to take this photo. The scene gives me a feeling of peace and serenity.

A business that is a thriving hub in summer, with constant queues, is a different place in winter. It gave me a sad feeling, even a sense of loss of the lively summer crowds. It felt like a lonely building.

This is not the most technically correct image but it evoked a feeling of joy when i saw these girls practising their dance moves on the beach so I just had to capture the image.

I like the look of this scene but it also gives me a feeling of loneliness because of the barrenness of the place, the damp atmosphere and the background shrouded in mist. To me, it works as an image because of this.

This promenade along the marina in Vila Real de Santo Antonio is usually bathed in beautiful morning light. On this occasion the mist changed the atmosphere and gave me an eerie feeling. It also reminded me of how quickly things can change.

This promenade is usually populated by young people going to and from the beach in summer but on this winter day I was delighted to see this elderly man out for his walk while the sun shone.

This scene evokes feelings of freedom, of escape from the drudgery of everyday life to the vast openness of the sea. The single figure represents this sense of freedom and the fact that he has a camera hints at the idea of photography as the means of achieving this freedom. It gives me a feeling of wellbeing.

This photo appeals to me from an aesthetic point of view, but it goes deeper as it always brings me back to a sunny morning in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, watching the morning crew go about their work preparing the city for the day ahead, and to the feeling the scene evoked for me of gratitude for being fortunate enough to be in this beautiful place and appreciation for the team of people who worked so hard to clean the centre of the city each morning.

Many photographers visiting Vila Real de Santo Antonio photograph the lighthouse. And why not? It is accessible, very photogenic and it is a recognisable landmark in the area. I have photographed it from a more 'normal' view also, but this viewpoint stands out for me in a way that more conventional viewpoints don't. I like the juxtaposition of the decaying building and the imposing lighthouse in the background. Images like this reflect the confusing feelings I often experience with regard to photography and whether I prefer to capture gritty, realistic images or images of beauty.

I often photograph old buildings. They evoke feelings of nostalgia for what once was. I think these types of scenes, which often exist in neglected parts of towns and cities, have character, something that is missing from modern, sleek, almost perfect buildings.

I passed this area every morning during my stay In Vila Real de Santo Antonio. It was at the end of a beautiful marina but the area resembled a scrap yard for boats. This man was sitting here each morning. I used my smattering of Portuguese to wish him good morning as I passed and he always responded. On this day he indicated that I could take his photo so I took a few. I felt sad to see him sitting there every morning in the middle of old boats and abandoned shacks. The photo itself is visual chaos, something I normally don't like, but in this case I think that without the surroundings there would be no context and the point of the photo would be lost. Sadly, when I returned there in May 2025 the area had been cleared and the man was no longer there. I'm glad I took his photo on that morning.

The almost face-like features on this crumbling wall invite feelings of sadness, loss and disappointment at how once useful buildings have been allowed to fall into disrepair.

I was drawn to this image because of the contrast between the decay of the building and the beauty that exists just around the corner, as suggested by the sea view. It's not a pretty picture but it does evoke an emotional response.

This photo makes me smile. The look of delight on the faces of the boys as they watch the show going on in the street evokes feelings of pure joy.

One of the aspects of photography I enjoy is going off the beaten track to see what I can find. Particularly when travelling, I like to explore the hidden parts of towns and cities, the parts that tourists don't usually visit. This has often led to images that come from a deeper place within me. They are not the normal tourist photos but they speak to me in some way and my reaction to these images is to what I was feeling, rather than to what I was seeing.

This post describing photography off the beaten track gives a sense of what I mean.

Do you have any images that were taken because of what you were feeling rather than because of what you were seeing? It's interesting to find out.