Seeing Differently: On Photos, Meaning, and Family with Kelly Wagner

⚠️ Note: This episode is from the Intentional Documentary® era. I’ve kept it in the public archive because Kelly’s reflections offer such a grounded reminder of what intentional documenting can stir awake in us — from deeper presence to personal storytelling to showing up differently with the people we love.

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Kelly Wagner had always been the one with the camera. But something shifted when she joined my DGS Story Work program (formerly called The Preservation Project).

In this episode, she shares how documenting became more than a habit. It became a practice in presence, helping her connect more deeply with her family during a season of loss.

Kelly’s story is gentle and rich. It reminds us that memory-keeping isn’t just about images. It’s about intention, attention, and what we choose to hold onto.

Topics Covered

• From documenting everything to finding deeper purpose in photos
• How story work reshaped her perspective
• A story of presence during her uncle’s terminal illness
• Regret around unrecorded conversations with loved ones
• How she honors memories through photo books and Chatbooks
• Why she chose a family-built bridge as her “iconic photo”
• Using photos as prompts for connection with her children

Access resources mentioned in this episode here:  → dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-archive