Got a Story?

Every photo has a story. What's yours?

Have you ever looked at a photo and thought, "Oh, there's a story behind THAT one!"?

Maybe it made you laugh, brought back a special memory, started a family debate, or left you wondering why someone was missing from the picture.

Or perhaps your story has nothing to do with drama!

I'm curious about the different ways people take, share, display, and even choose not to take photos.

Maybe your culture, religion, or country has traditions around photographs that others might find surprising. Perhaps your family does things differently, or you've noticed how photo habits change from one generation to the next.

And here's the thing: You don't have to speak for an entire culture, religion, or community. I'm interested in your experience and what photos mean to you.

Whether your pictures hang on the wall, live in an album, hide on your phone, or were never taken in the first place, I'd love to hear the story behind your choice.

After all, there's always more to the picture than meets the eye!

Need a little inspiration?

Not sure where to start? Here are a few things to get those memories flowing!

Family: Has a photo ever caused a disagreement, brought people together, or left someone feeling left out?

Children: Have you ever wondered who gets to decide which photos of children are taken, displayed, or shared?

Funerals: Have you experienced an interesting, touching, or surprising tradition involving photos when someone passes away?

Social media: Has a photo posted online ever created an unexpected reaction, good or bad?

Friendships: What happens to photos when friendships change, fade, or come to an end?

Culture, religion, or country: Are there customs or beliefs that influence which photos people take, display, share, or avoid altogether?

Changing traditions: Did your parents or grandparents treat photos differently from how you do today?

And don't feel limited to these ideas! Sometimes the stories I never thought to ask about are the ones that teach me the most.

No photo required. Just your story!

Ready to spill the photo beans? ☕

I'd love to hear your story! Share as much or as little as you'd like in the form below.
Have a longer story to tell? Feel free to email me instead at tanya@whatsthehangup.com. No need to squeeze a novel into a little box!

What happens after I share my story?

First, thank you for sharing a little piece of your world with me!

I love hearing different perspectives, and your experience might help inspire future research, conversations, or books in the What's the Hang-Up? series.

A few things worth knowing:

• Sharing your story doesn't guarantee it will be published.
• If I'd like to include your story or quote you in a book, on my website, or anywhere else, I'll contact you first to discuss it and ask for your permission.
• Please avoid sharing private information about other people without their permission.
• You don't need to send a photo. Your words are more than enough!

Whether your story makes it into a future book or simply helps me see something from a different angle, I appreciate you taking the time to share it.

After all, some of the best stories start with someone saying, "You won't believe what happened!"

A little note before you share...

Your story will be sent directly to me. I'll use your email address only to follow up about your submission, not to add you to my mailing list. If I'd ever like to share your story publicly or include it in a future book, I'll contact you first to discuss it and ask for your permission.

Please share only what you're comfortable sharing, and respect the privacy of others mentioned in your story.