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It’s very common that when we start photographing, we develop technical skills, study, and improve our eye to the point where we can take a picture that works.
At this stage, though, it’s common to observe photographers ceasing to advance in their craft and to seek out new knowledge or challenges that would push them beyond their comfort zones.
Then they start to simply do the same thing again and again – even more so when that photography is already generating an income.
So once we can create something that works, how do we keep pushing our creativity forward?
We often focus more on the technical side: learning about our equipment, what settings to use, how to use editing software.
We don’t dedicate the same amount of time to nurturing our creativity.
A BIG MISTAKE!
More than ever, technology is changing, and eventually, so will the tools we use to create. So, mastering creativity is how we’ll remain relevant, no matter the tools.
Why don’t we make “developing our creativity” a priority?
Perhaps most people think that you’re either born with a creative mind or you’re not. But the truth is that becoming or staying creative requires dedication and continuous practice.
Creativity is not a binary thing. It’s more like a muscle; the more you practice, the better you get at it.
Once you understand and recognize that creativity is a skill you can learn and practice, there are some activities you can do to become a more creative photographer.
If you think your creativity isn’t flowing or you feel stuck in a rut, the tips I’m going to give you now can help. Check them out!
Have Some Experiences!
Photo credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh
One of the most important things for creativity is to equip yourself with life experiences that inspire and entertain you.
When we get too busy in our daily lives and are working with photography day in and day out, we tend to become stuck and less creative.
Creativity is a reflection of who we are and how we’re feeling right now, at the moment of shooting or editing, for example.
So, to be more creative, try to experience things that inspire you: a trip, a walk around the city to see different people, different lights, different environments; take a hike, watch a theater show or a movie that thrills you – you choose.
You need to experience what inspires you in order to be excited about creating.
Think of your creativity as a sort of tank. When you create, you burn your creativity fuel, and if you keep using it, you’ll eventually run out and become tired.
So, how do you fill your creativity tank? By experiencing things that inspire you. What gets you excited? Chase it.
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Invest in yourself and cultivate your creativity! The more experiences, feelings, and sensations you have inside you, the more creative you’ll become.
Keep Learning
One of the biggest mistakes photographers make is thinking that they already know enough and not dedicating themselves to further study.
If you continue to study new techniques – whether in photography, lighting, practical effects, or post-production – you may have a breakthrough that sparks your curiosity to experiment.
Think of it this way: if you don’t know the tools, you won’t think of how to apply them to your work.
Also, how about getting out of the realm of photography (camera, lighting, and editing) and allowing yourself to learn new tools?
Other areas can help open your mind to imagining new possibilities in your photographic creation. When you blend art forms, magical things tend to happen.
With new tools, you can imagine how you can use them in your photography. Examples include 3D software or techniques such as stop-motion.
By learning new ways of exploring your creativity, you can apply them to your photography. This is essential, and I say this from personal experience.
For example, I used Artificial Intelligence tools to bring a thought to life. I asked AI to create a human being turned into a forest floor, and then used this to create proper photo sessions.
To try for yourself, check out these incredible AI tools.
AI-generated image according to my prompt.
The final result: my photo.
Search New Challenges
Photography is an ever-learning subject.
When we get started with photography, we have an ideal place we’d like to reach with it. A level of photography we’d love to create. But once you get to this so looked-forward-to level, you shouldn’t simply settle down.
You should look for what’s next. What’s even further away?
When you’ve reached your goal, there are two things you should do.
The first one is to enjoy and look back at how far you’ve come.
The second is to give yourself time to find out where you want to go next. This takes time but is a necessary step to remain as creative as you possibly can.
Give yourself time to look for new references. That’s part of the process of getting better and being better.
New references will help you tell stories in new ways.
It’s a situation I went through with my production business a few years ago…
I started out as a photographer, but very quickly realised that if I wanted to reach new places, I needed to learn how to create more and better, and that meant stepping out of my comfort zone and looking for what else was being done out there.
And where do you look for these references?
Instagram and Netflix end up being what we consume most nowadays. While we can take references from there, I invite you to allow yourself to get to know new mediums of artistic expression that can help you expand your creativity and discover what is “hidden” to you.
Try art exhibitions, videos about painting, sculpting, aviation, design. Try reading new books to understand how a story is built over time. Try going out to photograph with a single lens. Take part in conversations with fellow artists.
New references will serve as a pathway to new ideas.
Take Care of Yourself
This may sound cliché, but it’s the truth.
Our body and our creativity work hand in hand, and they both require us to be on the move, so the better you feel about your own body, the easier creativity will come to you.
Body and mind are extensions of the same thing, not separate entities.
If you live a sedentary life, your mind will be limited, stagnant, with no room to imagine, because it will be used to being still.
Photography is artistic expression, but it’s done through manual labour. You have to carry your equipment, lie down, get up, climb stairs, hike, tiptoe, squat, all to find the best angle, the best composition.
If your body isn’t energetic enough to move you to these places, your creativity will never have a chance to even begin to wonder.
So why not find an activity you enjoy to keep you active and conditioned?
This isn’t about achieving any beauty standard whatsoever, but it’s about being active, whatever way that looks for you.
A body in motion is a mind in motion, ready to flow.
Invest in Your Own Creation
If you ask any photographer out there how they feel about investing two thousand dollars on a lens, most of them will think it’s fair. But a lot will think it’s outrageous to invest that much money in taking pictures for themselves.
But this is exactly what you should be doing. Having a new lens won’t help you reach new places, but having great work on your portfolio will.
I always tell my students that it’s important to think beyond the next piece of equipment.
A new lens won’t make you a better photographer, but a shoot of your own will give you enough background to be able to understand the difficulties of achieving your goal and will build your portfolio.
You’re getting experience and something to show at the same time.
Back in 2019, I invested a decent amount of money in getting some action shots involving cars and helicopters.
The result of it was way more than I could have ever bargained for. It went viral, got me national recognition, and opened doors for a lot of the automotive projects I work on to this day.
Of course, I was only able to continue developing these projects because I consistently delivered on what brands asked for. But this first project of my own was the starting point.
The truth is, either you invest in yourself so you can create what you’ve always dreamed of, or it will take a while before someone comes knocking on your door.
It was money very well invested that brought me immeasurable returns and great opportunities.
Doing this will put your knowledge to the test and make you think outside the box to reproduce your vision into a photograph.
In Conclusion…
Creativity, contrary to what others make it seem, isn’t something you’re just born with. It can be cultivated and improved by simply practicing exercises.
The tips I’ve listed above are just a few things you can try to spark your creativity, and I hope they can help you produce better, more creative photos if you find yourself lacking in creativity lately.
Another tip I can give you is to do more research on this topic online, as there are several articles by other photographers who will have some different views. Try them and see what works best for you.
Remember that, technically, it’s easy to take a photograph, but the easy photograph won’t necessarily express your vision; it won’t offer anything different, anything unique.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. Photography is about experimentation, so have fun and see what you can create.
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