Get Out of a Creative Rut as a Photographer
Having a career based on creativity is one of the absolute best parts of my job. But it’s also one of the hardest parts. From the outside looking in, many people might think it’s incredible to have the opportunity to be creative all the time. You get to make cool art and meet super amazing people, which seems like so much fun. And it definitely can be, but the truth is, being creative all the time is hard.
As a portrait photographer, it’s easy to fall into the routine of taking the same photos and using the same poses over and over again. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, am I right? Nope, wrong. Some of my absolute favorite photos have been the result of me stepping out of my comfort zone and experimenting in new ways. Being creative is all about getting uncomfortable, and for a lot of people, it’s incredibly difficult to do. Not to mention, when you’re constantly trying to think of new ideas, it can become daunting.
If you’ve been feeling like you’re in a creative rut recently, just know you’re definitely not alone. Every photographer goes through this, likely multiple times in their career. But one of the most important things to understand is this: it won’t last forever. Here are my best tips for getting out of a creative rut as a photographer.
Try Something Different
If you’re primarily a wedding photographer, try planning an editorial or fashion shoot. Even if you’re just planning something fun with your friends, this can be the perfect way to spark new inspiration, allow yourself to get outside your comfort zone, and create something entirely different from what you’re used to. I’ve done so many different types of shoots in my career, and it’s led me to develop a unique style that now translates into all of my work.
Dip Your Toes Into New Types of Photography
Do you normally shoot on a digital camera? Try opting for a film photoshoot. Are you someone who loves portrait shooting? Try landscape photography or combine the two. There are so many different types of photography out there. One of my favorite ways to break out of a creative rut is just to explore something different. You could add props to a photoshoot or try shooting a wedding documentary style, rather than posed.
Switch Up Your Editing
A photographer’s editing style is something unique to them. If you haven’t yet developed your signature style or maybe you’re getting a little bored of your current one, try switching it up. There are endless ways to edit photos, experiment with different edits to see what you like best. This is one of my favorite ways to spark some inspiration. Take one photo and see how many different ways you can edit it and which style you like the best. Maybe you try to get a more natural, airy feel in one edit and a more film-inspired feel in the next. You never know, you might just find your signature style when you begin messing around with edits! Oh and speaking of editing, did you know I offer editing services? If you need some editing outsourced, click here to learn more!
Seek Inspiration
Last, but certainly not least, seek inspiration. Of course, you can head to the ‘gram and look at other photographers you like, but there are plenty of other ways to find inspiration, as well. Some of my favorite sites are Behance and 500px. These sites offer different types of photography you may not typically be exposed to scrolling through your social media feeds. There is so much inspiration, it’s absolutely incredible. I could scroll through these sites for hours looking at all the amazing photography on them.
Of course, the best way to truly get out of a creative rut is to get out there and just shoot. And I mean anything and everything. But sometimes you just need a little bit of help to get yourself back into the swing of things. Lucky for you, along with portrait photography, I offer editing services, too! If you want to spend less time editing and more time out there actually creating or learning new styles of photography, contact me today and let’s work together!
