3 tips on how to find inspiration in your photography again
It's inevitable. At some point, everyone is going to experience a loss of inspiration. If you are a seasoned veteran this can be incredibly hard to push through because of the external pressures of a business and professional life. For amateurs, it can be the end of their photographic journey. Maybe you've been shooting the same thing too long or you just haven't found your photography as interesting anymore.
Whatever the reason every single creative person has experienced a lot of interest and inspiration. For me, this came very recently and I'm only now coming out of the tail end of it. For me, it was a combination of things. I had been really running myself ragged staying so busy in the new year, had really gone from 0 to 60 in terms of getting out and shooting. I hadn't gotten up for a sunrise hike in months. It was January and it was cold, everything is snow covered and dead why would I want to shoot that?
But part of my new MO going forward is maintaining my creative fitness and social presence. So having been recently feeling the inspiration leave me and my photos started to all look the same I wanted to give you my tips for finding your inspiration again.
1. Shoot a style you don't enjoy. Seriously, I know it sounds counterproductive but I find when I am losing my inspiration it's because I've been focusing on one style or detail of my photography in particular. It's like listening to only one genre of music. For a while, it's really good and there so many new and exciting things. But slowly it starts to all look and sounds the same. Shooting a style you aren't comfortable with it that maybe you've already mastered can really help ignite a new fire of creativity. Suddenly things are a challenge or you screw up and really produce a piece unrepresentative of your true talent. For me, this makes me mad and sets my competitive nature a flame. I set out to prove myself wrong and in doing so I shake the funk off and challenge myself.
2. Give yourself permission to take a break from it. Walking away can be very powerful I'm recharging your creativity. Sometimes the smartest and most creative people in this world understand it's about knowing when to stop and give yourself time to refill the tanks that works the best. You need to remember you are human and you need to treat yours sometimes. It can be a thrill to work tirelessly on something, almost energizing. But when it stops working and things just don't turn out right, taking a week off or more really helps me clear my mind, and almost miss my work.
3. Observe and worth with other artists. Flowing with someone who gets you creatively and understands how the process works can be really powerful. I have a few graphic designer and artist friends I meet and work with regularly. Knowing I don't have pressure to perform and produce and I can just create whatever and laugh at the result with someone really helps me move forward. I remember it's not all about being a serious artist and creating mind-blowing work all day every day. We all make things that don't really turn out right. But when you can make those mistakes and obscure creations with someone who isn't judging you and can share in the process it can make all the difference in the world. Get outside of your head and just make for the pure fun of creativity and imagination. Even if it's a garbage Photoshop job or something completely embarrassing. Laughing and opening the imagination taps can really refresh a dead inspiration.
It's never easy losing your creativity. If you are like me, that can be downright soul-crushing. I love my work and I love to get inspired by what I create. But when the colors don't work or I keep producing subpar results I get really hard on myself. It's important to remember to treat yourself right and not abuse yourself creatively. Because it's us in our heads we tend to be the most overbearing and abusive boss to ourselves. It's okay to screw up and make some really poor looking pieces. Step back, put the Wacom tab down and go live a little. Your creativity will be waiting for you when you return.
