How to Find Your Picture-Perfect Style

by Guest Contributor Lily Miller

“My friend has a friend who knows the neighbor’s sister who is a photographer. They say that photography is easy money, so I have decided to become a photographer too because… photography is the new BIG THING!”

Sound familiar? Perhaps this is not your case. Perhaps you are a photographer because you really have a passion for it and you love creating art. Regardless of your drive, photography is therapy for the soul. It is the instrument that makes music you don’t hear but see. Photography is a book with a story to tell.

You can be a photographer with many years of experience and an extended portfolio to show, or you can be at the beginning or in the middle of your career. Either way, you have chosen a marvelous path. Not necessarily an easy one {for some} but a beautiful one indeed.

Despite the beauty of this fulfilling art we call photography, it’s easy let your worst critic get in the way of making photography a truly enjoyable experience. Instead of photography being therapy for the soul, it can transform itself into a constant torment as we compare ourselves to others. Although I don’t believe in comparisons anymore, sometimes they can be useful. Unfortunately most of times they usually prove to be very exhausting and totally unproductive.

My name is Lily and I am a shootaholic!

I started photography as a hobby {like many others} 8 years ago. I love what I do and I am happy with who I have become through all of these years of practicing photography.

But it wasn’t always this way. I haven’t always been content with my work, mostly because it is extremely difficult to be nice to ourselves. In fact, it is a lot easier to criticize and doubt everything we do, and that was my case.

Eight years ago I was surrounded by the most incredible locations any photographer could ever dream of, we were living in San Juan, Puerto Rico. You are probably thinking “OMG! What an amazing opportunity.” BUT I was too worried about wanting to be like someone else. Sadly, I didn’t get to enjoy the moment as much as I should have.

The urge to become “as good as” one of my favorite photographers was dragging me right into a deep dark hole of doubt and inconformity. I had to stop and think of a way to be authentic and to be happy being me. The very first thing I had to do to get myself out of that dark hole was to stop “borrowing” other photographers’ styles and think of the reasons why I liked what I was seeing and if I was honestly happy with the idea of becoming like them.

I was able to recognize what my internal struggle was all about; a trend I wanted to be part of. I was feeling more discouraged and less inspired. Now, I would like to emphasize how 8 years ago, photography WASN’T “the new thing” and photographers were not competing for recognition and prestige, in other words I did NOT have the pressure new photographers have to deal with nowadays. With that said, I even doubted my own capacity of creating art.

I did what I thought was the best thing for me and took drastic measures. I stopped visiting some photography websites. It may sound extreme but by not visiting those sites I was assuring myself some nice personal time for discovering my own style.

After some time of refocusing, I felt comfortable with myself and I started liking my personal photography touches. Now, I can visit any photography websites without feeling discouraged. I admire plenty of photographers bigger than me BUT I do not wish to be like them. I LOVE being me.

Now the question is, do you feel inspired or discouraged by other photographers?

If photography is causing you headaches, anxiety or if you find yourself carrying a heavy bag of jealousy; you are not alone!

What do you do to find your zen? Let me share some ideas on how to find your own picture-perfect style. Once you know exactly what you want, you will see how things {for some reason} seem smoother.

Ready? Take notes:

• The most important rule: do not compare yourself to anyone. NO ONE!
• Be kind to yourself.
• Be more optimistic.
• Work hard. Practice, practice, practice.
• Don’t affiliate yourself with groups that talk trash or criticize other photographers.
• Join forums or groups that will help you see the good side of things.
• Be nice to your competition or avoid it them if you can’t be nice.
• Make a list of things that you want to incorporate into your brand and style of photography. These things on your list should distinguish and set you apart from others in a unique way; props, colors {the ones you like and the ones you want to avoid}, places and locations.
• Find your own processing method and stick to it!
• Adjust to your environment and use it to your benefit.
• Find the beauty in every location. Stop thinking you could or that you would be better if you had this and that. Use what you have!
• Be creative.
• Be crafty {or save money to buy props from vendors}
• Tell your clients what you expect from them. Yes you can also tell them your expectations. If they don’t like them, you are not the right photographer for them.

I am in the middle of my photography career and I am very excited for all the years and experiences to come. As for now, I have found the joy in what I do and I am happy with it. Now, instead of being my worst critic, I am one of my biggest fans and I hope you will be your own biggest fan too.