What do you do if you want to cultivate your own artistic style as a photographer?

From what I've heard: We can become inspired by other photographers without imitating their work. The artist that is in you is churning and you will capture something that will draw out that artist. Everything we capture can turn into a piece of art. We may be drawn to depth, contrast, light and shadow, richness or brilliance of colors or steer towards a faded pastel. We may want to capture light and movement both at once. We go back and see that maybe your capture will inspire a painter. Maybe you are a painter as well and you become inspired to photograph your own paintings doing zoom-ins of particular areas and then that becomes its own painting. Imagine it being enlarged, framed and hung up in a gallery.

Creating Your Photographic Style: An Artist's Manual a journey of self-discovery and creative exploration is essential to developing your artistic voice as a photographer. Find inspiration from sources. Accept experimentation as a means of expanding your creative horizons and discovering your vision. Continue to be receptive to criticism and suggestions for improvement, and strive for consistency. Improve your technique and style, while remaining loyal to who you are, and take on personal projects. Creating a unique style that captivates audiences and makes an impact requires taking big chances in the aesthetic, philosophical, and critical domains. Nurture a truly original artistic style that reflects your perspective and creativity.

I think it is important to embrace imperfection in the pursuit of a unique artistic voice. There's a beauty and authenticity in the imperfections that come with experimentation. These imperfections can become a defining feature of an artist's work, setting them apart in a world that often values polished perfection. Embracing the unexpected outcomes of new techniques or the serendipity of a 'mistake' can lead to a style that is not only unique but also deeply human and relatable.

In addition to references from client projects, also include some of the best personal works / testing results in your portfolio. These visuals can reflect your art direction, personal style and vision, which skills can be also utilised as part of a project or as standalone services.

You can demonstrate your skills by showing some BTS content along with the final result. This will serve as a great statement of how much effort and attention you pour into each of your projects.

This process can involve: Preparation: This might include scouting locations, studying the light at different times of the day, or creating mood boards to visualize your ideas. Shooting: You might have a particular way of interacting with your subjects or a preference for certain types of compositions or lighting conditions. Post-production: Your style can also be influenced by your post-processing techniques. This could involve the use of specific filters, adjustments to color and contrast, or even more artistic edits. By repeating this process over time, it will become second nature and a defining aspect of your artistic identity.

One tool I like to recommend to give yourself feedback is have one of your images printed as a jigsaw puzzle and then take the time to put it together. The process breaks your image into tiny pieces forcing you to pay attention to the small details in the effort to reassemble the photo. This has been one of the strongest ways I've found to teach composition as you learn whether the elements featured on the pieces add to the overall photo or whether they are a distraction.

Two points: Stay Curious: Begin by looking at lots of different types of photography. Find photographers you admire and analyze why their work speaks to you. Use this knowledge to build a foundation for your own work. Be Patient: Developing your own style won't happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and plenty of passion. Allow yourself this time to blossom into the photographer you want to be.

In my experience it mainly comes down to shooting and shooting and shooting some more. Is there a specific image or project you feel incredibly proud of? Why? What makes it so special? Lean into that. Shoot a new project that capitalizes on the things you like about that first project. But try to push it even farther. Analyze your results and do it again. Before long you will have built a portfolio around work you love and will have developed your individual style as well.