One of the goals of still life photography is to:

One of the primary goals of still life photography is to convey symbolism. In a still life composition, objects are carefully selected and arranged to create a narrative or express deeper meanings beyond their physical forms. This genre allows photographers to explore themes such as beauty, mortality, and the passage of time, often through the juxtaposition of various items that hold personal or cultural significance. The arrangement of objects, their colors, textures, and even the choice of lighting can all contribute to the symbolic interpretation, engaging viewers on multiple levels.

In contrast, documenting reality tends to focus on capturing genuine moments or scenes as they are, often associated with photojournalism or documentary photography. Showing motion is more aligned with action photography, where the aim is to freeze or convey movement, while capturing portraits revolves around highlighting individuals and their expressions. None of these concepts encapsulate the artistic and interpretive nature that is fundamental to still life photography like symbolism does.