"Woah, do I actually have a style?"
Is what I said to myself after reading a DM that asked:
"Matty, how did you find your style? I love yours, but I can't seem to find mine!"
I stared at the message for a second.
It was kind of shocking because, for so long, I had strained over finding my own unique style (like most photographers).
I remember searching for it, trying different things, chasing different looks.
And after not ‘finding’ it instantly, I eventually gave up on the pursuit...
Ironically though, that’s exactly when I developed one.
See, we all crave for our work to be unique.
We want a visual identity that makes people stop, admire, and remember what we create.
But in that pursuit, we get trapped...comparing ourselves to others, chasing trends, or forcing ourselves to shoot subjects that don’t actually inspire us.
It was like me with drone photography.
At one point, it felt like the thing to do.
It got love, views, and reactions from people online.
But for me?
It meant f*ck all throwing up a drone and pointing it down at the world.
No shade on drone photographers, but it just wasn’t me.
It didn’t excite me.
And because of that, it wasn’t unique.
The Moment Everything Changed
At some point, unintentionally, I started accepting myself a little more.
I stopped shooting every portrait at f/1.4.
I stopped chasing after sea life with my drone along the coast.
I stopped trying to create projects that looked cool but didn’t feel like me.
Instead, I started focusing on what genuinely inspired me.
From a young age, I was lucky enough to travel, which helped shape my love for Mediterranean coastlines, nostalgic compositions, and authentic moments.
Therefore I started shooting more:
- Travel-inspired portraits
- Experience-focused activities
- Products that aligned with adventure
What I didn’t realise at the time was that this was a process of self-acceptance.
It was me saying, “You know what? That other stuff ain’t for me, but you know what? This is.”
And it’s funny...because that process of elimination actually led to creative freedom.
The Best Photographers Aren't the Most Technical - They're the Most Authentic
Just like in life, when you stop forcing yourself to be something you’re not, everything starts to fall into place.
In photography, this means:
- Stop obsessing over the perfect settings.
- Stop copying trends just because they’re popular.
- Stop waiting for permission to shoot what excites you.
And most importantly, start trusting your instincts and vision.
For me, that meant leaning into street and travel photography.
It meant pursuing hospitality and hotel photography.
It was a gamble (for sure).
But I guess that’s what self-acceptance is really about.
What Does This Mean for You?
The key takeaway?
Leaning into who you are is your ticket to a unique style.
Style is personal.
It’s unique.
Meaning it’s impossible to develop your own photography style by following the crowd.
And although that might seem overwhelming at times, here’s the good news…
A lot of it is within your control.
- How you capture scenes
- The equipment you’re drawn to
- How you process your images
- The way you interact with your subjects and surroundings
- Your network
- How you like to spend your time
These are all critical style factors.
And by embracing them—not hiding them away because some YouTuber told you the only way to shoot portraits is with a 35mm lens at f/1.4—you’ll actually start to unlock creative freedom.
So… what’s one thing you don’t resonate within photography?
And what’s one thing you truly love to shoot?
Because the moment you stop chasing what’s cool and start trusting what feels right, you’re already on your way to discovering your style.
