Every photographer has a moment where they just feel like nothing looks good. You come back from a shoot and your images look fine, but the excitement just isn’t there. Creativity has peaks and lows, as well as times where the graph is level…not much is changing and you aren’t inspired by your work. What to do?
Inspiration is a powerful concept, and for photographers it motivates us to get out and shoot, try different things, and grow creatively. Most important, you get a few images you are really excited about, and that further motivates you to photograph more. After 35 years shooting, and talking to a lot of fellow photographers, here are a few ideas to help you stay inspired, and keep those creative photography techniques rolling.
Take a trip. There is just something about going to a new place that gets the creative juices flowing, and the motivation is high. I just returned from Africa, and no matter how many times I go, when I step off the plane and smell the savannah, feel the heat, and see those iconic animals, I get super excited to shoot! You don’t have to go far…try a local park nearby. Just a different view close to home can get you out of a creative rut.
Shoot in a different season. Some photographers I know put their camera away when winter arrives. But that is one of my favorite times to shoot! You may not like the cold, or think scenes look drab. Make it your self assignment to create a beautiful winter image 10 miles or less from your house…even if you live in the city. Seasons bring different qualities of light, different colors and new activities to your area. This morning Cree and I went out on our driveway and photographed aurora over our house. Winter brings northern lights, one of our favorite things to photograph.
Study others work. I love sitting down with my favorite coffee table photo books and looking at other photographer’s work…it is totally inspiring, and gives me ideas on things I want to try. Some days I look at landscape images, other days I study portraits, and sometimes it is wildlife. But I am inspired by others work right at home drinking a cup of coffee studying photos.
Go to a photo club meeting. Local photo clubs are a great way to connect with other photographers, compare notes, and be inspired. Sometimes clubs offer presentations, other times they do portfolio reviews. Seeing others work, and having your work critiqued, is a great way to be inspired to try something different. Don’t get down on yourself with critiques, they give you another perspective of your photography and help you see how others interpret your images.
Get a new lens. Okay, I know I will get grief about this…but sometimes a simple new lens or camera will totally inspire you to shoot more and create some awesome images. Cree got a Lensbaby this year, and she went to town shooting every plant and flower around our house using it…and the images were fantastic. I started seeing flowers around the house in a completely new way, and wanted to photograph them myself.
Leave the camera at home. I’m sure you are scratching your head on this one. I was journalism graduate in school, and we were taught to always have our camera with us. This still is true for journalists today…if you don’t have your camera you can’t get the shot. But I have noticed something different for me. If I constantly have a camera with me, and the obligation of ‘get the shot’…this wears me out over time. Last summer I took a camping/fishing trip here in Alaska, and it was amazing. We had some great light and beautiful moose encounters. But instead of worrying about getting my camera, I just took the scene in. It felt great…no pressure…just be there and enjoy it. I found when I got home I was more motivated than ever to go out and shoot photos after this trip….maybe a little break from shooting can actually be an inspiration to shoot more. You will have to decide for yourself…
Don’t fret if your motivation is low at points in your photography, this is normal. Instead, try some of the ideas above, and get ready to create your best work!