Experts in visual art and documentary photography have called on visual storytellers to prioritise truth, substance and meaningful narratives over social media popularity and viral trends.
The call was made on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in Benin at the ninth TellThatStory (TTS) Conference, themed “EXPOSED! The Visual Storytelling Conference 2026”. The three-day event, which began with an art exhibition on Monday, is centred on the theme “Renewal”, explored through Light, Hope and Life.
In his welcome address, TTS Co-founder, Babawale Obayanju, challenged photographers to create images that preserve important stories rather than merely attract attention. He said the organisation was building a community of visual storytellers documenting African lives, cultures, strengths and challenges, while amplifying local voices and addressing social and environmental issues through initiatives such as documentary screenings, photography workshops and the TTS-FUJIFILM Visual Storytelling Grant.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Akintunde Akinleye examined photography’s role in shaping collective memory and supporting societal renewal. Drawing on Yoruba cosmology and Nigeria’s annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, he said renewal involved reinterpreting past experiences to create new meanings and possibilities. He also highlighted photography’s role in documenting urban transformation, ecological regeneration and spiritual rebirth.
Akinleye cautioned that photography had limitations, including selective framing, the inability to capture internal thoughts and ethical risks when documenting communities without meaningful relationships. However, he said still images remained important for preserving memory, challenging dominant narratives and encouraging deeper reflection.
Guest speaker Richard Lackey also urged photographers to experiment, embrace curiosity and accept failure, warning against turning successful techniques into restrictive formulas.
The conference also featured the launch of Expand the Frame – The EXPOSED! 2025 Conference Proceedings, which documents discussions and contributions from the previous edition.
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