Finding Your Photography Style
Do You Really Have To Have One?
Before we even begin, let me say this – Just Be You
Everyone’s journey and photography is different. And that’s ok…
What Is A Photography Style?
First up, I just wanted to clarify that I’m not talking about genre, or category here. These include landscape, portrait, wedding, travel, street etc.
A photography style is something much more subtle and hard to define in reality. It is often referred to as their ‘signature’ look.
I did some research on this, and this is a definition that resonated –
A photography style is like your fashion and interior design choices. It’s the way you approach photography and edit your pictures. Photography styles can evolve a lot with time and practice. ~ Expert Photography
(Expert Photography)
Everyone sees the world in their own unique way, and this will form the basis of what your style will reflect.
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
~ Oscar Wilde
A group of people can all stand and look at the same scene, but different aspects of the scene will stand out more to each individual. In the image below for example, some would focus on the grand scene, while another my zoom in on the waterfall. Others again might choose to photograph it in portrait orientation rather than landscape.
Ways To Help Develop Your Photography Style
When I first started photography I did so many workshops and online courses – I was obsessed! I also tried a few different genres like macro, cityscapes and animals (still definitely not people) but it was landscapes that I just fell in love with.
I followed, idolised and learned from so many different photographers that it got confusing.
There was just so many things to like, and felt I had to shoot a certain way, see a certain way, edit a certain way – you get the picture.
I was told that I had to stick with just one genre and find my own photography style. This can really affect your confidence, so I believe it’s important to work on this as you evolve as well.
While I’ve decided that landscapes are my favourite, that doesn’t mean it’s the only thing I can photograph.
Nor do I know that I’ll ever find my own ‘signature’ style – and that’s ok …
Over time, my tastes, interests and goals have changed, and I’m sure that will happen with you as well.
“It’s your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.” ~ Rumi
What I have found helpful in narrowing down what I like, what I want to pursue, and what photography styles means to me can be summed up as follows –
Explore What It Is That Inspires You
Getting inspired is the first step in finding your photography style if you aren’t sure where to begin.
The internet is of course the best place to start with this.
Start searching your topics in either Google, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest – the list really is endless.
Pinterest is an excellent platform for this, and you can create boards so you can keep all of your ideas in one place.
Once you’ve saved around 20-30 photos, it’s time to analyse what it is that stands out for you.
Why did you choose these images? What is it that stands out the most about them? Do you see any patterns forming in your choices?
The more you understand what it is that inspires you, the closer you become to understanding and developing your own photography style.
Follow And Learn From Others
What is it that started your love with photography?
Was it a particular photographer whose work you saw, or were you on a trip, was it images on social media? It can be a combination of so many things, but start with that.
We often start by ‘copying’ the style of those that inspire us.
This does not mean literal copying, but you will naturally be influenced by what you like and try to emulate that. Artists have been doing this for hundreds of years so it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
You will never exactly replicate the work of another, but as long as you continue to explore and experiment, you will eventually create your own work which will be uniquely yours.
This will definitely not happen overnight, and as you continue along your photography journey, it will change over time.
It’s important to also continue to follow and study the work of others to help grow as a photographer. You don’t have to like everything that a person does, but it’s always a learning process to see how others think and approach their work.
One tip I have is to follow several Youtube channels and listen to various podcasts. Always be open to learning and being exposed to new thoughts and techniques – you never know where these may lead.
Joining various social media platforms and groups can also be a great form of inspiration. Some you can even submit photos for critique if that is something you may be interested in. It’s not for everyone, but it can really help with growth.
BUT – this can be a fine balance.
Everyone has their own thoughts and opinions, so even if someone doesn’t appreciate your work, it does not mean it doesn’t have value.
It can come down to the goal of your photography – are you doing it to be popular on social media, win competitions, sell prints, or just to make you happy? These are all very different goals so this needs to be kept in mind also.
Try Different Genres And Styles Of Photography
You will naturally be drawn to what interests you the most, but if you don’t try then you will never know.
Take your camera with you every opportunity you have.
Sign up for different workshops even if you aren’t sure that it’s your thing.
While I never signed up for portrait workshops I did try a few different things including astrophotography – you never know if you don’t have a go.
One in particular I tried was bird photography. I love seeing great photos of birds, particularly in flight. I had a few tries, bought a super expensive zoom lens, but eventually decided it wasn’t for me. Man those bird photographers have patience! And not to mention excellent eyesight and biceps!!!
Cute but I’m lucky they were sitting still!
I did decide that it’s not for me, but I continue to admire their excellent work.
What trying new things will do though, is narrow down what your interests are which will in turn help you develop your style.
Reviewing Your Own Work
Take a few hours reviewing the favourite photos that you have taken.
Create a collection and take a good look at them. Do you see any patterns in what you are most drawn to?
Try not to overthink this – you will automatically be drawn to your own inherent tastes.
Some things to consider can include:
- Subject – are there common subjects you like to photograph? People, buildings, flowers, birds etc.
- Movement – do you like action shots or static scenes?
- What about focal length? Do you like close up or more room around your subjects?
- Angles and composition – do you like to shoot from above, below or straight on?
- Atmosphere and lighting – is there a particular time of day or season/conditions you prefer? Do you like to have everything sharp in the photo or prefer softer backgrounds?
- Colour – Are there any particular colours or tones that frequent your collection? You may prefer black and white over bright, colourful scenes. This can often come through in the way you edit your images as well as when you are photographing in the field.
Your photographic style is influenced by all of these elements. Identifying your photography style starts with knowing what moves and inspires you. You can then focus on those elements, and watch it evolve.
Of course you are not going to shoot exactly the same each time you go out – that would be incredibly boring. But you will start to see some similarities and themes coming through by analysing your work. This is a great rainy day project.
For me it’s landscapes – and I like the bigger scenes rather than the real intimate details that are quite popular at the moment.
Not necessarily the ‘grand’ scene, but at least some sense of scale and something that clearly shows where or what kind of landscape I’m in.
Do I have it all figured out? Absolutely not!
I’m not a photographer that is going to change the world, and I’m ok with that. For me it’s about getting out and about and taking photos of things that inspire me.
Make Sure You Stay True To Yourself
I’ve gone through the I must be like that, see like that, edit like that, be the intrepid explorer and to be different and find my own photography style. To be honest I don’t think I’ll ever decide.
And that’s ok …
I’m not convinced we have to define ourselves by any particular style.
This may sound contradictory to what I’ve said above. But if you spend too much time and effort trying to find your style, you can actually prevent it from developing naturally.
As long as you focus on what you love, and what inspires you, I believe your style will naturally form a consistent style.
Avoid the enemy of ‘comparison’. As they say comparison can be the thief of joy.
Spending too much time on social media can have the opposite effect of inspiration. It can also cause insecurity if you constantly feel that others’ work is better than yours.
This can be a difficult thing to balance and only you can determine whether it’s inspiring or it tips you over to doubting your own style and abilities.
While you should be open to constructive criticism, don’t let it change your natural instincts completely. Use it to modify and perfect your style instead.
Try and learn when enough is enough, and step away from social media, or look at things other than photography.
Even better, use scrolling time to learn, practice and edit your own photos. The more you do this, the more you will develop your own photography style naturally.
Styles Change
One thing to keep in mind is that developing your own photography style is a journey. There is never a final destination.
It should be constantly evolving, as we do. You are not the same person you were when you started this journey. You are the product of your life experiences, and so is your photography.
To stay the same would be incredibly boring – there are always new styles and innovations to discover and explore.
These will all evolve and help us to express how we see the world with our cameras – what a wonderful way to grow!
Conclusion
Finally, what you do most often and consistently will form your own photography style. What you are naturally drawn to will become your style.
Who you uniquely are, and your view of the world will shine through as your own photography style – how good is that!
The most important thing of all is to keep shooting. Keep learning, exploring and be confident that your style will naturally take care of itself.
How has your style developed? Is it something you even focus on? For me that’s a no, I just focus on what I enjoy.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments below.
Also please share any tips you have found helpful in developing your own photography style.
I truly hope you’ve enjoyed this post.
That’s it for now – Keep clicking and stay caffeinated
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Here’s some more articles and resources I think you’ll like:
- Building Confidence In Your Photography
- Things I Wish I Knew Earlier
- 7 Important Things That Nobody Tells You About Photography
- Learning From Photography ‘Fails’
- Inspiring Photography Ideas To Try
- Skill and Vision in Landscape Photography: More Important Than Gear
- The Best Landscape Photography Podcasts Worth Listening To
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Note – This post does not contain any sponsored or affiliated links. All suggestions and opinions are mine. Unless otherwise stated, all photos are mine and remain my copyright images – Sam Wilson Photography.
