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.
As a freelancer, I’ve mastered independence, built routines, met deadlines, and delivered quality work. But sooner or later, the hustle wears thin. What’s missing isn’t more work—it’s purpose, and the community that sustains it. ????️…
Temple head coach Dawn Staley commands the floor with focus and fire during a matchup against Georgia Tech on November 18, 2007, at Alexander Memorial Coliseum in Atlanta. Her sideline intensity wasn’t just strategy—it was…
Caption: This photo means a great deal to me. I’m pictured with Bill Bangham, one of my closest friends and longtime creative companions, and Eugene Richards, whose work has constantly reminded me that deep empathy…
A photojournalist is more than a passive observer in the moments before a shot. Eyes alert, breath steady, hands ready—but what about the mind? What about the internal lens we rarely develop until later in…
As someone who’s spent a lifetime listening to people’s stories, I’ve learned that what we often admire most in others—their creative voice, passion, and impact—is born out of pain. It’s not just talent or opportunity.…
In 1990, I lost my job with the International Mission Board. Budget cuts. One day I was doing meaningful work I loved — work I believed in deeply — and the next, I was packing…
Insights from a Mentor Who’s Walked This Road with You One of my greatest joys is teaching and mentoring young adults, primarily through my work as a mentor in NPPA, YWAM, and our international storytelling…
Photo by Robin Rayne In 2002, I left a full-time job to launch my freelance career as a visual storyteller. I had a couple of cameras, a good amount of hope, and just enough naivety…
Photo by Dorie Griggs One of the strengths I bring to my workshops, especially the intense one-week kind, is discernment. I often see very clearly where someone needs help or correction. It's not a guess…
This past week, I had the privilege of teaching lighting to the School of Photography students at YWAM Dunham. It wasn’t just another class on how to use studio gear—it was a week that reminded…
Photo by: Dennis Fahringer Over the years, I’ve understood that I need more time to process things than many. This isn’t a flaw or a lack of interest—it’s just how my brain works. As someone…
Caption: Stanley Leary teaches studio lighting in the School of Photography in Kona, Hawaii. [photo by: Dennis Fahringer] If you had told me years ago that I would be a professional communicator, I probably would…
