How To Stay Inspired As A Photographer
May 13
This post is part of the series, The Ultimate Guide To Being A Wedding Photographer — advice for running a successful wedding photography biz. Click here to view a list of all the posts in this series.
Right now we’re heading into peak wedding season, so I know you’re probably bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, eagerly anticipating another busy and beautiful year, doing what you love.
But how about that lull, halfway through, when you can barely keep up with your editing and blogging? And what about when wedding season is over, and you’re in total burn-out mode?
How do you find inspiration to keep going in your biz?
How do you stay inspired as an artist?
Wedding Blogs and Other Photographers
I think this is where we all start. And unfortunately where most of us stay.
A lot of photographer never branch out beyond scrolling through wedding blogs and following other photographers.
It think it’s unfortunate for a few reasons:
- It gets stale. You’re seeing the same ideas over and over again, just replicated by other people.
- You get lost in the comparison game. You know this one. And it feels icky. Always watching what she’s doing… wondering why she’s so busy and your not.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t look at wedding blogs at all. Or that you shouldn’t follow other photographers, you should.
But this should not be how you stay inspired and energized in your biz.
Curate An Instagram Feed That Inspires You
I don’t mean the ‘grams you share, I mean the ‘grams you follow.
If I were to look at your Instagram home feed (all the accounts you follow) I’m guessing it’s 75-90% other photographers you admire, look-up-to, and secretly creep-all-over. And the rest is just feeds you think are “pretty,” and some of your friends.
Am I right?
Listen, this goes back to my last point… don’t follow all those other photographers and drive yourself crazy with the comparison game. It only makes you feel bad. And you deserve to feel good — no, great — girl!
So, how ‘bout instead, you carefully curate a feed that actually inspires you??
Go through your instagram and unfollow any account that makes you feel less than awesome about yourself and your biz (yeah, I’m talking those fitness and beauty grammers too!).
Now, add accounts that honestly inspire you as an artist and an entrepreneur.
I’d suggest just a handful of other photographers. And here’s a list of other types of accounts I’d follow:
- Other visual artist | painters, sculptors, etc.
- Designers | graphic designer and interior designers
- Causes and organizations that inspire you and align with your Why | for me, these are organizations that support women, and encourage women in business
- Museums and art accounts
- Other female entrepreneurs | It’s great to get perspective from entrepreneurs in other career field
Want some recommendations of who to follow? Check out the “following” list on my Instagram account — I’ve carefully curated a list of people and organizations I follow who inspire me daily!
Inspiring Shows and Podcasts
Netflix
Believe it or not, Netflix can be a great source of inspiration for photographers and creatives.
But I’m not talking about binge-watching Stranger Things.
Here are a few shows I’ve found that study art, artists, and/or the creative process:
Abstract | The Art of Design
The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes | A series dedicated to unusual but extraordinary feats of architecture, with commentary on the design and why it works
Empire of the Tsars | Art, Architecture and History of the imperial Romanov Dynasty
Kodachrome | A movie inspired by the iconic Kodachrome film
Podcasts
I love to listen to business podcasts while I’m cleaning around my house or taking my dog for a walk. They inspire me to hustle and crush my goals — here are a couple of my faves:
Online Marketing Made Easy by Amy Porterfield
Inspiration in the Real World
My graphic design professor used to tell us to “step away from the computer.” And it was some of the best advice I ever got, as a artist and designer.
The computer, and the Internet especially, can be like a black hole sucking you in. You lose all concept of space or time.
And I’m not sure they’re the best place for inspiration.
I think you should really step away from a screen to find true inspiration. There is something about a tangible, real-world experience, that will always beat the 2D images on your computer.
Feeling uninspired, or burned out? Try these ideas for reigniting your artistic passion:
- Visit a museum or art gallery
- Participate in a “First Friday” art crawl
- Sign up for an art class (not photography. Try figure drawing, sculpting, painting, etc.)
- Host a wine-and-painting night with some of your photographer friends
- Travel — book a trip specifically to explore the local art and architecture
These are some of my favorite ways to stay inspired as a photographer, artist, and designer. I hope you find them helpful too!
Did I miss anything? How do you find inspiration? I’d love to know — leave me a comment below!
