A memory inspired me to write “Shoot What You Love, Love What You Shoot.” Years ago, before I turned full time photographer, a professional photographer offered feedback that at the time made a ton of sense.
The problem? I took it too literally! Almost to the point of getting stuck. If you’ve ever been stuck, then maybe this blog’s for you.
The over-heeded advice? When photographing, posting and displaying your images, stick to your genre. Otherwise, you’ll potentially confuse your customer. This feedback offers some interesting insight. If you’re a wedding photographer selling your services, you’re probably not going to be sharing images of Fido on your wedding photography website cover.
With more and more fur-kids getting included in wedding ceremonies, you never know. Fido with a bow tie sounds adorable!
Sticking to your genre in todays fast pace world, doesn’t make sense. Your work, your talent in other genres of photography and art has viability and meaning. If you have a roving eye (in a good way of course), go with it.
When you photograph what you love, what makes you feel something, it shows.
My motivation for writing this is to encourage our continuing growth, creativity. 1) Know your strengths; 2) Leverage your strengths in your growth and expansion and as artist; 3) Break out of your comfort zone whenever you want or need to.
Stuck in a photography rut? Are you going back to the same spots time and time again? There’s nothing wrong with that unless you’re frustrated. Is it time to shake things up? What about a monthly photography project that’s outside your comfort zone?
Shoot What You Love: Your Beginning
Two questions. What happened first, the love of your subject or the love of photography? Were you inspired to photograph a specific subject or did you fall into photography as an after thought?
Your love for a subject amps up the eye and the energy. Work time turns to play time. Experimentation. Care and time in post processing elevates.
Apply this to other creatives in their respective fields. Can you imagine if the Barefoot Contessa (aka Ina Garten) (Amazon) only did cupcakes (ok, I’d still eat them!). Or, if Emeril Lagasse (Amazon) only did a few dishes. These and other global and local chefs are artists in flavors, individual dishes and full blown meals.
Do you think Ina stopped before including her beverages in her foodie cookbooks. Heck no! Her “eye for food” extends across all spectrums of the eating experience.
Your Inspiration is Meant to be Shared
So what if you love photographing Fido, flowers, nature, food and many subjects? By all means photograph what catches your eye. What inspires you. And, share your work! Your favorites, your lessons learned. For website creation, check out Zenfolio or SmugMug.
I started as a bird and nature photographer. Over time, images galore of birds, flowers, landscapes and travels filled my hard drives, website, social media and Etsy shop. There’s moment though, where I get bored. Or, enticed by a subject. A person, a pet, a building. And I’d shoot them thinking that I’d probably never use them.
Wrong!
These ‘shiny’ subjects add to our body of work. To our creativity. And there’s a huge fun and refreshing element too.
Break Out: Finding More to Love & Shoot
Never. Stop. Exploring. Period. You have your genre’s, you have imagery outside of your normal wheelhouse. What about the future? Who you and I are as photographers and artists today continues to shift and evolve.
Today, I walked by subjects that I dropped to the ground for years ago. Tomorrow, I might drop back down to that same subject. I’m not a believer in forcing an image because I need one.
I am a believer in working an image, any subject when it catches my eye. I may not end up with something I love or even like, but that’s ok.
The sets of images that we liked or didn’t like reflects a moment in our journey.
Light, Camera, Action
If it’s not broken, break it. When something is weak, infuse energy and life. If it’s not working, try something new and different.
We all reach points where changes of scenery, new techniques infuse life into our work. How can you and I make that happen more often? First, never stop the mindset of ‘shoot what you love.’ If out of ideas, returning to our roots feels good.
Or, add an intentional photography project each month that’s outside of your zone. They just may give you more subjects to love.
Need an idea for a photography project? Check out our DIY Abstract Photography Project.
2 comments
Very enjoyable read , thank you 🙂 .
Greetings Patrick! Thank you so much – appreciate the feedback!
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