Most of the best photographers have a distinct and unforgettable style. But there are many types of photography styles, and you must find yours to stand out!
A photographer’s style is more than editing or photo technique. It’s a combination of every decision they make. One of the best ways to discover your style is to look for patterns in your behavior. How you eat, travel, and socialize makes up who you are.
You can develop these preferences by learning more about different cultures and preferences. And photography is no different.
Look for patterns in your techniques, compositions, and favorite photographers.
You already have a photography style that complements your personality. All you have to do is let it awaken and emerge using these methods.
The first part of every photographer’s journey is discovery. As a beginner, you might not know where to start. Equipment, famous photographers to follow, and editing possibilities might confuse you.
Try to avoid distractions like this. Your priority is to cultivate and nurture your unique photography style.
There are many types of photography styles out there. To find yours, you need to expose yourself to different genres. Here are a few of the many genres you can choose from:
Within these genres, there are many sub-genres. For example, wedding photography could fall under event photography.
And portrait photography doesn’t exist on its own. There are many types of portrait photography out there:
Which genres stand out to you? You can choose as many as you like.
Next, start experimenting with them. If you only have a smartphone camera, begin taking photos with your smartphone. Right now, your equipment doesn’t matter as much as your creativity.
This exercise gives you experience in many genres, which is very important in the long run. It also gives you a better idea of your photography style.
You like certain foods, outfits, and places more than others. In a way, those reflect your style. Even if you’re not aware of them yet, you will have similar styles in photography.
You can find them by looking at different photos. Choose a genre that you like and look for it online. If a particular photo stands out, save it. You’ll use it to understand your preferences later on.
Instead of saving photos on your computer, you can use different social media platforms. Pinterest is excellent for creating inspiration boards. Instagram also has a handy saving tool. And Tumblr lets you create an entire inspiration blog.
Start with 20 to 50 inspirational photos. Why did you choose them? What stands out the most? Write all of this down. Do you notice any patterns? The more you understand your photography taste, the closer you discover your style.
Those with whom you share your photos don’t have to be professional photographers. But it would help.
Your goal isn’t to ask for constructive criticism, though. All you have to do is ask them to point out things you’re unaware of. So You can ask them questions like this:
This is a great way to look at your photos differently. Others might give you feedback you wouldn’t have known on your own. They might see patterns to help you understand what kind of photographer you are.
Limitations are important because they help you understand your strengths. They also make you more creative and give you a clearer idea of your photography tastes.
Instead of looking for the best camera equipment, start with what you know and have. This doesn’t mean you should never invest in professional equipment.
But if you have to learn a lot of new technical information, you might not develop your style. So, get rid of tech and social media distractions.
Use your camera and take photos of everything that catches your eye. The less equipment you use, the easier it is to understand your unique photography style.
If you have to learn a lot of new technical settings, you won’t invest as much time in your intuition. The fewer distractions there are, the more you can focus on developing a unique style.
Your creative intuition is what helps you understand the heart of your photography. It’s what makes your photos emotional and thought-provoking.
Even if you learn every setting on your camera, you won’t have a distinct style. It’s best to focus on the emotional side of your photography.
There are many exciting ways to develop your style. The more you put these tips into practice, the more distinct your style will become.
Many, if not most, photographer styles rely on editing to stand out. This doesn’t mean that you need to spend hours on editing.
If you prefer a natural look, you can still edit your photos to make them look eye-catching. These photographers have a natural editing style:
Other photographers have a more intense style:
When you have a few photos you’re proud of, edit them in your preferred editing program. You can use Photoshop, Lightroom, or anything else that works for you. I like to use Lightroom and Photoshop for different purposes. You can mix and match as you like.
Don’t watch too many tutorials. Instead, treat your editing program like something you must figure out independently.
This helps you save time and introduces you to interesting editing tools. It also prevents you from feeling limited by specific editing rules. There are three main types of editing:
One of the best ways to develop your style is to practice regularly. You won’t improve quickly if you only dedicate one hour a week to your photos. Even if you’re busy, you can help your style evolve daily.
All you need to do is start a photography project. Make sure it’s either daily or weekly. This ensures that you spend as much time with photography as possible.
Projects are excellent opportunities to experiment with different genres and techniques. Two common photo projects are the 365-day project and the 52-week project.
For the 365 project, you have to take a photo every day. It doesn’t have to be outstanding. The point is to spend a little time with photography every day.
The 52-week project is a weekly one with a theme. Every week, a new topic is chosen, often abstract. This is meant to strengthen your creative muscles and help you think outside the box. You can share your results online to get constructive criticism and inspire others.
I know this sounds weird. You spend hours looking for inspiration. And now you’re told to stay away from social media. This doesn’t mean you delete your social media accounts. Just spend a little less time looking at other photographers’ photos.
When you develop your style, you might get distracted by other people’s techniques. You might doubt your abilities if you look at others’ work too often.
Social media is a wonderful place but can also become a source of insecurity. Follow photographers, but don’t compare your work to theirs.
Instead, use that time to practice, edit, and familiarize yourself with new types of photography. The more time you spend with yourself, the more original your photos will be.
These are the two most frequently asked questions we get along with our answers.
A photography style is like your fashion and interior design choices. It’s the way you approach photography and edit your pictures. And photography styles can evolve a lot with time and practice.
The most in-demand photography types include photojournalism and landscape, headshot, portrait, and wedding photography.
Architectural and macro photographers can earn a lot of money in their respective industries.
If you’re an aspiring photographer, chances are you already have a style. It’s just a matter of discovering it. Look for inspiration, take photos often, and start photography projects. Also, ask for feedback to make the most of your journey as a photographer.
Take our quiz to find out how you approach photography! Or, try one of our eBooks to learn from photographers with distinct approaches and styles.