Hey Reader,
Some of the best work we make comes when we’re not trying too hard.
There’s no pressure. No client. No expectations of how it should turn out.
And if you’ve been in a bit of a weird phase with your photography lately, whether that’s feeling stuck, uninspired or just unsure what to shoot, these ideas should help.
Let's dive in!
P.S. I recently partnered with Skillshare and scored you a free month when you sign up. Click here to claim it! My little gift to you for reading along!
1. One Lens, One Location
One lesson I'm learning in life is that “freedom exists within limits", and I think about it a lot when it comes to photography!
Because when we have too many choices, we stop making decisions altogether.
We carry the full kit “just in case,” or more often, we leave the camera behind because we’re overthinking it before we even leave the house.
But when you strip it all back, it gets simple again.
Pick one lens, go to one location, and commit to that for a couple of hours.
Not because it’s the perfect setup, but because you can’t change anything, so you'll naturally begin to focus on what you can see and do.
Today, I’m heading out of the city for a bit with my 35mm.
It’s become my go-to recently, and I’m curious to see how it holds up on a trip, where things are less predictable and a bit more improvised.
And on the other hand, if you only own one lens anyway, flip the idea.
Choose a spot you don't usually shoot and commit to it.
If you always go to the beach, try a cafe strip or some street photography.
Change what lighting you focus on or even try using a flash!
The idea isn’t to get your best photo. It’s to force yourself to adapt and hopefully discover a new perspective or approach you didn't know was for you.
Event Photography (But Just for You)
This idea came from earlier in the week.
On Wednesday night, before watching United get knocked out of the Europa League (don’t ask), I went to a small event at a hotel about branding and design.
I wasn’t there to work. But I brought my camera.
No client, no expectation to deliver, just the opportunity to document what caught my eye.
I played around with candid portraits, some on-camera flash stuff, shot the presentation, the hotel lobby and even the bar.
It wasn’t a planned shoot...it was just me showing up with a camera and seeing what happened.
Funny enough, a few people did end up asking for the images afterwards.
Maybe it leads to something. Maybe not. But either way, it felt good to create without it needing to go anywhere.
This weekend, maybe you’ve got something similar coming up.
A family lunch, a picnic, a gig, or even a party.
Whatever it is...bring your camera and capture it for you.
In my experience, event photography is one of the best ways to hone in your photography skills.
Learning how to manage unique lighting, people and scenes will undoubtedly make you better.
And who knows, at one of these events, your camera might be the opening you need for a conversation with someone special.
Limit Yourself to 36 Frames
This last one came to me after I fell into a bit of a Leica/film camera YouTube rabbit hole the other night.
What stuck with me (along with the astronomical price of things) was the intentionality that film photographers bring to the game.
When a roll costs what it does, and every shot is tied to money and the time between snapping the photo and having the photo, you have to care.
You shoot differently.
So I’m trying to bring a bit of that mindset into my digital workflow.
Not every day, just now and then.
This week, I’m setting myself a soft limit: 36 shots max in one outing.
That’s it. No previews. No deleting as I go. Just slow [honest] shooting.
The idea is to essentially make you pause before clicking the shutter and ask yourself the questions:
- "Is this worth capturing?"
- "Can I move somewhere better?"
- "Is this worth €2?"
And this isn't about being strict or ruthless, it’s about paying more attention.
So that when you look back at the final set, you can be proud of what you created with those limitations in place.
"Make every frame count" is cliché, I know.
But when you limit your options and try to stay honest, it starts to mean something again.
Let Me Say One More Thing...
You don’t need a big idea.
You just need a reason to get your camera out!
I understand it can be hard when you're not in a beautiful location or on a massive photoshoot...
But sometimes, just doing something a bit different. A shift in your routine. Or something to take the pressure off is all you need.
These little things won't change everything...but they might help you enjoy photography again this weekend.
And maybe that's all you need right now to get the ball rolling!
