Personal Stories That Move People to Action
Personal stories are the most powerful tool an organization has — but only when they’re told well.
Over the past 40+ years working as a visual storyteller, consultant, and instructor, I’ve learned that most organizations don’t struggle because they lack good work. They struggle because they don’t know how to uncover and shape the stories already inside their mission.
This collection of articles explores what makes a personal story resonate — whether you’re a nonprofit leader, missionary, business owner, or creative trying to communicate impact. You’ll find lessons from the field, reflections from real assignments, and practical insights on how to move from documenting activity to revealing meaning.
If you’re here because you want your communication to connect more deeply — not just inform but inspire — you’re in the right place.
And if you’d like help identifying and shaping the strongest stories inside your organization, let’s talk. The right story, told well, can change everything.
If you’re a freelancer right now, you already know the landscape has shifted. Companies are pulling back, budgets are tightening, and many of us are staring at calendars that look far emptier than we’re used…
As we gather for Thanksgiving this year, my family and I are carrying both gratitude and grief. On Monday, we held a celebration service for my mother, who went home to be with the Lord…
Every Thanksgiving, I try to get at least one good group photo of our crew. This year’s gathering was extra special — we had four generations all together. My dad, Dorie, and I, my sisters…
Katherine Wolfe is a powerful storyteller, speaker, and advocate whose life was forever changed at the age of 26, when she suffered a massive stroke out of the blue. Before that morning in 2008, Katherine…
I recently had the privilege of covering a retreat focused on Resting in Jesus, designed for adults who serve nationally & internationally on mission trips—leaders and volunteers teaching others about leadership and servanthood. Events like…
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and historian Dr. Maurice Hobson share the stage during a panel discussion at the Facing History & Ourselves Summit in Atlanta, engaging educators in a robust conversation about leadership, equity,…
Every fall and winter, my social media feed fills with familiar scenes — families in pumpkin patches, kids bundled up picking out Christmas trees, couples posing in front of twinkling lights. And every year, I…
Last night, I took my gear to cover the exhibition game between Georgia Tech and Auburn under the lights, a perfect challenge for storytelling through sports photography. The high-energy atmosphere, athletic motion, fast plays, and…
In February 2006, my first YWAM photography class gathered for a quick group photo—with my son Taylor and Chelle joining in, too! Grateful to have Dorie behind the camera capturing this moment where teaching, family,…
A frog, a diaper-clad baby, and a handmaid cross paths at the intersection of Roswell Road and Johnson Ferry Road, their homemade signs waving in the breeze. Over 3,000 people gathered Saturday, honking horns in…
Paul Tiendeno studies at the theology school in Koudougou, Burkina Faso, where being strategic means preparing pastors for ministry and daily life. Alongside their theological training, students learn farming skills from Clarence Lance [in red…
When showcasing a business like Slopes BBQ, it’s not just about showing food—it’s about telling a story. For this latest catering video, I wanted viewers to feel the warmth, hospitality, and mouthwatering flavors that Slopes…
