From Visual Design to Photography: A Natural Evolution of Visual Storytelling

As someone who has spent years immersed in the world of visual design, I’ve come to realize that the principles I’ve honed in visual design are not just applicable to digital interfaces—they can also profoundly shape the way we approach photography. Over the years, I’ve come to see photography not just as an art form, but as an extension of my design philosophy. And looking back, it feels like a natural progression, an evolution of the same core principles that guide my work in design.

For most of my career, my focus was on crafting intuitive, visually engaging user experiences. I studied how people interact with digital products, striving to make those experiences as seamless and pleasant as possible. But along the way, I found myself drawn to photography. It started as a hobby, a way to capture the world around me, but soon I realized that the skills I had developed in design were incredibly relevant to the art of photography.

Both disciplines are deeply concerned with the visual and emotional impact of what we create. In UX design, we use principles like balance, hierarchy, contrast etc., to guide users through a digital experience. In photography, these same principles are essential for crafting images that are not just visually compelling but also emotionally resonant.

Both UX design and photography is a blend of art and science. In UX, the artistry lies in the visual design—the colors, typography, and layout that connect emotionally with users. The science is in usability, heurestics, and information architecture etc. Photography follows the same pattern: the technical side involves camera settings, lenses, and light, while the artistry is in framing, composition, color, and the narrative you convey. In both fields, it’s the balance between technical skill and creative intuition that makes the work powerful and engaging.

Let’s start with composition—one of the most important aspects of photography. When I first picked up a camera, I quickly recognized how closely it mirrored the compositional techniques I had used in design. In UX/visual design, we think about how elements on a screen are arranged to guide the user’s eye and make their journey as effortless as possible. In photography, the arrangement of elements within the frame plays a similar role: guiding the viewer’s attention and telling a clear visual story.

The rule of thirds, for example, is a well-known compositional technique in photography, and it closely resembles the principle of visual hierarchy in design. Both are about creating balance and ensuring that the most important elements are highlighted in the right way. Whether it’s a well-placed focal point in a photograph or a call-to-action button in a digital interface, the goal is the same: to ensure that the viewer or user knows exactly where to look, what to focus on, and what action to take.

Another principle that has translated beautifully between the two fields is contrast. In design, contrast is used to distinguish different types of content—making sure text is legible, buttons are visible, and key actions stand out. In photography, contrast can be used to create emphasis, highlight important details, or set the mood of an image. Light and shadow, color contrast, and even the contrast between textures can all be used to direct the viewer’s gaze and evoke a specific emotional response.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in both design and photography is the power of simplicity. In design, we focus on stripping away unnecessary clutter to create something intuitive and clear. The same applies to photography—great images often highlight a single subject, free from distractions. Whether it’s a minimalistic portrait or a vast landscape with a clear focal point, simplicity allows the viewer to connect more deeply with the subject.

Photography, like design, is about making deliberate choices: What stays in the frame? What gets left out? What draws attention, and what fades into the background? Just as design centers around user goals, my approach to photography is about guiding the viewer’s eye, creating a purposeful, intentional experience.

At its heart, both visual design and photography are about creating experiences that resonate with people on an emotional level. In design, this might mean making a user feel confident and comfortable navigating an app or website. In photography, it’s about capturing a moment that evokes a particular emotion—a feeling of nostalgia, serenity, excitement, or even mystery.

I’ve come to realize that the tools of the trade—whether it’s a design tool or a camera—are just that: tools. It’s the thought process behind them that matters. Both design and photography are ultimately about storytelling: creating a narrative that engages the viewer and elicits a response. Whether through an interface or an image, the end goal is the same: to leave a lasting impression.