no use hiding it

I got an email the other day asking me my opinion about how photographers find their own unique style of photography. Does one happen upon it eventually, perhaps even unknowingly after a certain amount of time behind the camera or should one have a vision in mind and work to achieve it?

It's a really good question and one that has come up a number of times and although I don't think there is any tried and true way to approach it, I do have my suspicions.

I know that over the years I have gone in and out of phases with my own work. I have seen my own preferences and personal tendencies ebb and flow like a creative tides. I've been thrilled with my work and I have been terribly disappointed by it. That's only natural. But one thing is for sure, I absolutely, positively know that my most favorite images are those that come from shooting what I really truly love.

Allowing yourself to shoot whatever moves you, regardless the reason or the outcome can help you to really focus on what your true photographic passions are. It's not always that easy when you're shooting for clients but even still, during the shoot (be it for cash or for yourself) you can feel when it's right; when you lose yourself in your art. And most likely your photographs will reflect that undeniable feeling of shooting your bliss.

If I really thought it was that easy, I'd just tell you to shoot what you love and the rest will follow. But, I know from years of doing this for both a profession and a hobby it's not that easy. Being an artist of any kind takes even more than just passion. Even amidst great satisfaction and unspeakable joy, there are nerves and frustrations, disappointment and self-doubts to battle. Being a photographer takes time, energy, perseverance, patience and an internal force that drives you to want to keep going, keep challenging yourself, keep learning and keep expressing your own point of view. That stuff never goes away and it's not always easy.

But, when you're in your photo-groove, you know it. And when what you get in return are the photographs that sing of what you absoutely, without a doubt love to do. You can't hide it. That's when you see your passions shine and that's when you notice your photographic uniquness emerge.

Have you discovered your favorite subject, angle, perspective? What kind of photography makes your heart happy? No use trying to hide it! Share it instead!

Comments

[sarah]

Oops, first again! What an awesome photograph you have here! And a great topic, one I have been pondering myself alot lately. I think I am drawing closer to a style I like ... kind of old and dusty ... but I'm still such a newbie at all this ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shorelinesphotography/4937216696/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shorelinesphotography/4959052126/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shorelinesphotography/4962188829/

[Kat]

Tracey, I love, love, love this wonderful post. It echoes so much of what I have personally discovered about my photography in the last year. I have found so much of myself by following my heart in my photography, and sharing it with others. Thank you so much for all of the inspiring you and all of the shutter sisters do every day here!!

Here's a little bit of myself I've found through finding the subjects that resonate with me:
http://www.kateyeview.com/2010/08/light-and-dark-places.html

[jacqui]

Very well said !
The things I love most.....http://www.flickr.com/photos/-jacqui-/4965208329/

[Kristina]

so well said. thank you for sharing. and a beautiful picture to accompany your words.

[Morgen]

It is amazing how the Universe seems to know what you need. I am a newbie to photography. Over the summer I seemed to take on great shot after another. However the past 2 weeks have been nothing but a collection of washed out blurry pictures. I have seriously questioned if I was doing the right thing, if photography was for me. Yesterday I had some revelations, your I am Enough guest for this week and then this post now is really helping me put it all in perspective. Thank you!

Discoveries I am making about myself: http://salamandermuse.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/self/

[Victoria]

Hmmm.... I've discovered via today's post that I do have a favorite angle:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6riddles/4862308500/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6riddles/4836651386/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6riddles/4822368171/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6riddles/4807665262/
I like looking at the long perspective of things.
Thanks for the opportunity to discover a little bit about myself today!

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

Being primarily a nature and travel photographer for the last couple years, I got away from taking pictures of people. It's funny because all I used to do back in the days of film was take photos of people!

This is a beautiful reminder for me as I prepare for my first photo session this morning. There's nothing like a fresh dose of inspiration! Thanks

~WW

[*megan_elzey*]

I love to photograph people. I love to photograph them up close (much closer than they probably realize I am getting). And I love the vibrant colors in their eyes, their clothes, and the world around them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25710823@N07/4960879180/in/photostream/

[Jennifer]

I find being able to capture a moment, a real moment, is what motivates me. I think because of this I enjoy photographing people most...the ability to really capture someones essence...that's what gets me going. Not sure if I've been able to get it yet but I know that it's what keeps me motivated to keep trying.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23134155@N07/4967801367/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23134155@N07/4968407318/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23134155@N07/4389358335/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23134155@N07/4967835197/

[Winnie H]

I'm only a new reader to ShutterSisters and already loving what I'm seeing. I've recently got my hubby's hand-me-down Rebel, although I've also been playing with his 40D. I've come to realise that the photos that make me happy are often macro shots as I love the blurred background effect. Getting a new macro lens for my birthday a few weeks ago was fantastic too!

There's a photo on my blog (sorry it's on a layout at the moment!!) that I took a few days ago and I really love it.

http://winnitude.blogspot.com/2010/09/tilt-things-i-love-thursday_09.html

Thanks for the great inspiration!

[elk]

so much here to love as always...

thanks for the chance to share....

http://redorgrayblackandwhite.blogspot.com/2010/09/d-i-m-o-n-d-s.html

[Jennifer]

I find myself drawn to the little details and moments in life that I might otherwise overlook or forget:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cardboardsea/4969781400/

[Hannah]

I haven't exactly been able to define it yet, but I do feel when I am in my groove, and it shows in my work. I was there yesterday with these:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahmayo/4976824156/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahmayo/4976212471/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hannahmayo/4976823846/in/photostream/

And I'm also there when I'm photographing people in love.

[Jilaena Wolf]

I loved that article, and I do have a favorite thing to photograph, junkyards. I love them. I posted a link to a particular photo that makes me think of the Wizard of Oz

[Brooke]

I'm in love with a narrow DOF. My 50mm is on my camera 90% of the time, I focus on the eyes and let the rest unfold. I don't feel like I have my own "style" but friends have tossed that word around when talking about my photos - I think you happen upon it.

[spread your wings]

I find that I am most drawn to simplicity - a graceful line or texture in nature or a single item spontaneously placed might catch my eye.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/sets/72157624799500835/with/3558536168/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/3332116412/in/set-72157624799500835/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/4843055327/in/set-72157624799500835/

[Patty]

Great topic and one I think about all the time! I'm just in my first year of photography - and on day # 155 of a 365. My goal for this year is to keep trying new types shots: subject matter, angles, perspectives, compositions etc. but I definitely tend to love close up detail shots like these:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/closetartist/4932292885/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/closetartist/4921883544/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/closetartist/4919921809/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/closetartist/4913613841/

[amy z]

Fantastic post. There's a little book that speaks to all of this, and more, called Art & Fear. It's by artist/photographer Ted Orland (lovely man, truly) and David Bayles. It's a little gem that I've read many, many times, and I'm sure will read many more times to come! If anyone is interested, it's here: http://www.amazon.com/Art-Fear-Observations-Rewards-Artmaking/dp/0961454733/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1284130813&sr=8-1

As for shooting what I love, well, that's easy! I found my muse when she was born just over five years ago. http://latentimages.blogspot.com/2010/09/magic.html

I don't think you can force style. I think it happens naturally...evolving over time as you make photographs and hone your skills and start to narrow down to what you really love to capture. Finding my muse has changed how I see everything else, too...even those subjects not specifically muse-related!

[Trude]

I'd have to agree. I was just saying the other day how the more I know about Lightroom and Photoshop, the fewer "effects" I want to use on my work! A funny outcome I would never have predicted three years ago. :) My favorite work has to be people in love - whether it be families, couples, or people with their pets. Dogs are also a favorite subject!

[Elizabeth]

I like weimaraners. (Hmmm. Maybe because I have one. ;)

But I really love ordinary things with a slightly out-of-the-ordinary perspective. Something that makes me feel like I am painting, even if I don't have paint & paper:

http://retinalperspectives.typepad.com/retinalperspectives/2010/08/the-theme-is-soften-and-stay.html

[Stephanie]

For me, it's travel. I wish I was able to do more of it! I'm trying to start envisioning even my hometown of San Diego as a destination...there are lots of nooks and crannies I haven't seen!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgracephoto/3931843055/in/set-72157622281544819/

[Leslie]

I love travel and food photography but am working on building my people shooting skills because I love that too. My favorite angle is definitely up close and yes I love shooting with my iPhone too.

http://www.thel-list.com/

Enjoy!

[Gail]

My "style" is all over the place...I have been into photography as an amateur for a couple of years now and have taken some classes...I still find that I love so many things that I try them all...finding new favorites here and on Flickr only makes me want to try new styles:). I find that I take lots of photos of my grandchildren, landscapes, all kinds of growing things, abstract shapes and lines, and love them all...I think I will always be too diverse...During Picture
Summer I tried even more styles! ...this is a still life that I liked and would like to do more of...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/4684342528/in/photostream/

[ccap]

It's still relatively new to me but lately I've been enjoying photographing strangers. (I've always been a fan of portraits anyway. Here are two of my favorite 100 stranger shots:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/betsyblue/4794765215/in/set-72157624564330249/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/betsyblue/4794732987/in/set-72157624564330249/

[cigi]

Great post. The deeper I get into photography the less interested I am in subjects that are conventionally pretty. I'm always looking for less obvious forms of beauty as well as the beauty that can be found in decay and dilapidation, rust and ruin.
http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/237365/

[Amy]

I love this, Tracey! Thanks for blogging this! My favorite images are environmental portraits. I especially love shooting people doing what they love to do (it makes for great expressions on their faces!) Here are a few favorites:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62848259@N00/4741094940/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62848259@N00/4578583019/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62848259@N00/4412572728/in/set-72157623568582180/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62848259@N00/4185743403/in/set-72157622849520917/

[Audra Van Vliet]

Well, kids freaking love me. I am like catnip to children. So anything to do with kids -- not babies (I wasn't even good with my own baby. Now he is three and we are gangbusters). And as far as angle, always eye level. Maybe that is why kids like me, I am usually in the middle of all the playing and oftentimes have to set my camera down if they challenge me to a race. And I never let the kids win.

1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellsbellarina/4961371393/
2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellsbellarina/4934234760/
3. http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellsbellarina/4977636486/

And the occasional adult model

1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellsbellarina/4928921952/in/set-72157623466295149/

[Suki]

Such a true post.

[lina]

Thank you for wonderful post!
Something I needed this morning!

[Gali]

Strangely enough my favourite thing is shooting things which are related to each other... so that I can make "doubles" as I call them. (example: http://pics.livejournal.com/cerealjoe/pic/00840ffk)

My other thing is that I prefer shooting everyday things with an analog camera, I have a feeling that comes out so much better. (example: http://pics.livejournal.com/cerealjoe/pic/0089rs05)

[Bet Rank]

I love crawling around, jumping up and down, making goofy faces and striking "diva" poses which all comes into play when I'm photographing children. They're so pure and honest in their emotions and they're just too much fun to be around. It's guaranteed if I'm having a horrible week I just call up my niece and tell her I need to see the kids. The kids know that they can just have fun and goof off in front of the camera and they always manage to chill for 5 seconds... just long enough to snap a fab shot.