How do you find new photography ideas when you're feeling stuck?

I use Pinterest to help me get creative with my photography. I have loads of boards including poses and set design. I also ask people who Book a shoot with me to send me 5-10 photos that inspire them so I can see what their vision is and create a mood board to work from.

I create a list of all the shoots I want to do and write it down in a little notepad. Then when I have down time or any time I want to be creative and get away from the normal shoots, I'll refer back to this list.

For me I prefer to do activities not related directly to photography such as listening to music, reading manga, going for walks, you will be shocked how much ideas you can get from general day to day activities. Being a product and still life photographer, I try to shoot objects I won’t shoot on a normal day, I find out when do that, I get inspired to find more possibilities and it gives me an avenue to be more creative.

I sometimes like to search for the same color of objects in an image, like a red umbrella with a red leaf tree, and a red fire hydrant is an example. Or maybe a tall black building, and a black car beside it. There’s so many ways to look at color in a scene. You can also use shapes that are similar and different at the same time. I took an image of a row of glass jars and vases that were similar in size, but totally different in shape. It came out very interesting!

When I feel stuck in my photography work I seek inspiration from other disciplines such as literature, cinema, art in general... Studying other forms of expression stimulates me a lot and helps me to get out of the creative rut.

In my artistic journey, I've been deeply drawn to the theme of "suburban landscapes." There's a unique beauty in the everyday, the ordinary spaces that many overlook. These landscapes, with their manicured lawns, picket fences, and quiet streets, tell stories of hopes, dreams, and life's quiet moments. Diving into this theme has not just been about capturing scenes but about unearthing the profound within the mundane. It challenges me to see beyond the obvious, pushing me to find depth and emotion in seemingly commonplace settings. The play of shadows during sunset on a quiet street or the stories of old houses all inspire creativity. This theme has transformed my perspective, making every suburban stroll a treasure hunt of inspiration.

When you are new to Photography, you will find yourself taking a ton of pictures yet you don't see improvement. That's actually not the case! I'm sure that your skills have improved but what you are lacking is a deeper connection. You can only get that by following a theme. Allow me to explain: Themes often carry narratives or messages. Use your photos to tell a story, portray emotions, or convey a particular mood. This will give you and the audience a deeper connection to the pictures and you will feel like you have truly improved your art. Go make a beautiful story :)

A prop can be makingbusebof reflections in your image when you've never done that before. This point using a prop is a way of making you see in a different perspective. This bring us to opening your eyes to composition techniques you never thought were possible or you find so interesting you'd like to add to your photography portfolio.

Whenever I am doing product photography, I always you props, as they provide more character to the main product. A: You can use prop that are relevant to the main product and that way you can tell a whole story. B: You can use props and place them in such way that they divert the attention to the main subject which is you product.

Sometimes, when I'm taking photos, I like to spice things up by incorporating unexpected items into the shot. It could be a piece of clothing, a nearby object, or even just my own body parts. I find that this adds an element of surprise and creativity to my photos, and it's always fun to experiment with new ideas. So go ahead and try it out for yourself - there are no rules or wrong answers, just pick something and run with it! You might be surprised at how much you end up liking the results.

In my photography journey, I consciously chose to limit myself: one film stock, one lens, and one camera. While it might seem restrictive, this self-imposed boundary became a powerful creative catalyst. It compelled me to delve deeper into each shot's nuances, instead of getting lost in gear choices. With just one film stock, I've honed my skills in understanding its color profile and grain. Using a single lens taught me its quirks and strengths intimately, pushing me to find unique angles and compositions. The discipline of one camera made me focus on its capabilities, rather than be distracted by newer models. This minimalistic approach has not stifled, but rather amplified my creativity, pushing me to innovate with what's at hand.

As much as I might agree to limit yourself, I'll also disagree. Having more options could also open yoir mind to seeing a different perspective, show you new angles, show you more than one focal length, show you how a macro lens would shoot more close up pictures while a prime lens would give you the dreamy shallow depth of field. So yeah, limit yourself and also don't. It could be the start of something new.

In photography, it is extremely important that you explore things one by one. This goes for both Gear and the different Types of photography. Gear: Never get influenced by other photographers and purchase everything that they use. -Purchasing an expensive camera will not improve your skills! -You will barely use the tripod that you are saving up for! Types Of Photography: Diving into all the photography types(Portrait, Landscape, Product, Long Exposure, etc.) at once is a mistake that will kill your creative drive for photography. It's better to be good at one thing than be average at everything. *Limit yourself to taking things one at a time. That way, you will learn more while still being curious and creative in your ideas.*

This worked for me so well that I had an exhibition with the resulting images. It forced me to view things with a new perspective.

I really enjoy doing this because it helps you become familiar and comfortable with your equipment. That way you don’t have to take the time to look at your camera and try figuring out the right settings for the shot. Instead with having that understanding of your equipment allows you to focus on the creative aspects of the shot such as the angle and lighting.

I love a challenge! I create my own and the way people interpret the theme is super interesting! If you don’t want to join one, create your own - open a book or dictionary and take a photo based on the first word you see.

Connect with other creatives / photographers for an in-person meetup. Creativity doesn't happen in a vacuum. Human connection is necessary in the creative process. You must seek it out sometimes. Motivation won't always come organically. Sometimes it's about first starting, and then the motivation hits.

I like to go onto Adobe Behance and get check out the wide variety of photography being done. This can help inspire for new ideas and techniques. It is always great to see the talent and creativity people have.

If you have the time, just stop doing whatever you are doing for a day or two. Watch a movie, go out for a meal, talk with people. When you set yourself aside from the creative block, you get into a different perspective. Sometimes, a good sleep is all you need to get creative.

Feed your eyes and mind. I'll drop this as something to consider because when you feed your mind on other creative works, you see new possibilities. Feeding your mind on videos or new ways of taking a picture, basically anything that could be a catalyst to getting you loving your craft. Feed your mind and eyes with them. The next time you pick up your camera, you'll feel refreshed.

Working closely with photographers to bring brand visions to life, hair & makeup artists can also get into a creative rut. I’ve found the best ways to overcome it is to STOP looking at what my peers are creating. It may seem counterintuitive to some but if we’re only gathering visual inspiration from those who practice the same craft, we lose our ability to truly create. When I’m out in the world & something catches my eye, I think about how I would art direct a shoot around it.