Image by Rachel & Tonie. Keep reading to determine your photography style
When you are first starting out in the photography world, choosing the photography style that’s right for you can feel like a daunting task. Trends are ever evolving, and staying within those trends while also being uniquely you can feel impossible. If you’re struggling to find the right style for you, we’re here to help. From putting together mood boards to shooting consistently, we’re rounding up some of our favorite tips to help you feel like a pro in no time.
5 Tips To Determine Your Photography Style
1. Create A Mood Board
If you have yet to shoot with any clients (outside of a friend or two) and you want to nail down your style before you market yourself, consider creating a mood board. Use Instagram or Pinterest to find photos that call to you and keep them all in one easy-to-reference place–whether that be on a Pinterest board or saved on Instagram.
As you begin gathering photos, you’ll likely realize that there are some patterns. This could be in the way that they photograph, the way the photos are edited, etc. Jot down what you like about the images and save that information for when it comes time to photograph yourself.
It’s important to be mindful of copying their work while you do this. The point of the inspiration is to use bits and pieces rather than copy their look completely. For example, if you like blurred candids that are more editorial, consider incorporating that into your style without making it your entire style.
Image by Eric Cheng Photography
2. Shoot Often
When you are building a portfolio and trying to get a better understanding of your style, it’s important to shoot often. Just because you want to be a wedding photographer doesn’t mean that you have to photograph weddings right off the bat. Use your friends and family as models and put together mini photoshoots where you aren’t afraid to experiment.
Having these images not only allows you to play around with the photographs themselves but also allows you to edit them how you please. There will be far less pressure to edit photos in a specific way, and you won’t have to meet deadlines.
3. Share Your Work With Others
Your friends and family members don’t have to be professional photographers to share their opinions with you. It’s a way to get another perspective of your work that you may not be getting yourself. Ask them questions about what they like, don’t like, and would change.
Image by Jonathan Contintente
4. Spend Less Time On Social Media
We know that probably sounds counterintuitive to what we said about creating a mood board, but hear us out. When you create your own photography style, it’s vital that you tailor it to you and your taste. If you have too much inspiration thrown at you 24/7, you’re going to end up focusing too much on their techniques. It can also cause you to doubt your abilities.
The more time you spend with yourself and your camera, the more comfortable you will become. This means eventually you won’t even need social media for inspiration.
5. Try Multiple Environments
Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s important to think about what you want to photograph most. Some photographers shoot every kind of wedding in the book. Others specialize in adventure elopements. What calls to you the most? You will find that the more you photograph, the more you will gravitate towards one or two niches more than the others. This is why shooting often is so important.
Now that you’ve nailed down your photography style, it’s time to start thinking about marketing yourself. But you can’t do that without figuring out your own personal branding. Not sure where to start? Check out this guide!
Image by Cakrama Photography