How To Stay Motivated As A Photographer
Your motivation fluctuates and what to do when it wanes
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” — Winnie the Pooh
Always made me laugh this quote from Winnie the Pooh written by Alan Alexander Milne. Such a cheeky play on words and totally in character with this lovable teddy bear. Winnie the Pooh is quite right, it is farcically easy to fall into the trap of doing nothing. To easily we lose motivation and slide into the pit of nihility.
You might be wondering how an article on how to deal with a waning of your motivation as a photographer can start off with an illustration of Winnie the Pooh. I thought the sketch by E. H. Shepard and the quote written by A. A. Milne very aptly illustrate the trap that losing your motivation can spring. We all to easily can become despondent once we lose motivation and fall into the pit of ‘do nothing every day’.
While writing my recent article on the importance of inspiration for photographers [link to article] I wondered how one stays motivated. Motivation, like all things, can fluctuate. So how, when our motivation dwindles do we rekindle it. Are there strategies, cheat sheets, or anything else that we can resort to, to aid us kickstart our motivation back to life?
The simple answer
Staying motivated as a photographer is easiest when driven by passion. If you love what you are doing, then it is infinitely easier to stay motivated. Sounds quite simple and while I am not saying that this is not true, I think for most of us this is just not going to be as simple as that.
The reality
Having a purpose and a plan for achieving it is what motivates most photographers. For us professional photographers the purpose is usually quite clear: paying the bills is the dominant motivation. At least for the better part of our careers. Sure, we thread in some pure passion projects here and there. Ultimately, we have to stay focused on what brings in the right cash flow. And if we are fortunate enough, In the end, if we manage to become successful enough or famed photographers then we can switch to solely following our passions.
For hobby photographers it is a little more difficult as they are not so driven by a purpose. On the other hand, they have the luxury to explore, moving from type to type, style to style, shooting whatever happens to grab their attention. Many will find a photography passion this way which will give them purpose and thus a journey to follow. Others will just keep experimenting.
Finding that purpose, that drive, will make picking up the camera so much easier. It will shape what you look for, your vision, and your creativity, spurning on that motivation and passion to keep going out there and take photos.
The ebb and flow of things
Everything has its highs and lows. Our energy level, our motivation, inspiration, creativity and so forth. It is neigh impossible for anyone to keep a high level of any of these up. It is common for motivation to vary, and it can be influenced by various factors such as external circumstances, personal goals, emotions, and overall well-being.
Motivation tends to have highs and lows. There are times when we feel highly motivated, driven, and enthusiastic about pursuing our goals and passions. During these periods, we can experience increased focus, productivity, and a sense of accomplishment. However, motivation can also dip, leading to periods of lower energy, reduced drive, and a lack of interest in pursuing our goals and passions.
The crux here is to help ourselves manage these troughs. To arm ourselves with the right ingredients so that we are prepared when faced with a slouch in our motivation.
How to stay motivated
Mitigating this fall in our motivation is essential. Here are a few strategies that I can suggest to help:
· Set goals: Set yourself some well-defined, specific, and achievable goals for your photography. Whether it is learning a new or improving an existing skill, completing a personal project, or entering a photography competition, setting yourself clear objectives will give you something to work towards and keep you motivated.
· Challenge yourself: Assign yourself regularly photography assignments or challenges. This goes right along with setting yourself goals. This can range from simple tasks such as capturing a unique perspective of a familiar object through to practicing a specific technique.
· Keep learning: Continue to evolve your photography. The field of photography itself constantly evolves and so should you. Make a habit of continuously learning new and improving your existing skills. Invest time in reading photography books, attending online courses, watching tutorials, reading industry blogs, taking part in workshops. Staying committed to growth will keep your motivation fresh and open new opportunities.
· Personal projects: Embark on personal photography projects that align with your interests and values. This could involve documenting a local community, exploring a particular theme, or capturing a series of images that tell a story. Personal projects provide a sense of purpose and allow you to express your creativity more freely.
· Photography communities: Engage with other photographers by joining photography clubs, online forums, or social media groups. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals will provide opportunities for learning, sharing ideas, and receiving constructive feedback. This sense of community can be quite motivating and inspiring.
· Inspiration through others: Look for inspiration beyond the realm of photography. Explore the works of painters, sculptors, filmmakers, or any other artistic medium that resonates with you. Drawing inspiration from different sources can help you develop a unique style and perspective.
· Take a break: It’s essential to take breaks and recharge when you feel overwhelmed or burnt out. Sometimes, stepping away from photography for a short period can reignite your enthusiasm. Use this time to pursue other hobbies or activities that bring you joy. When you return to photography, you’ll have a fresh perspective and motivation.
· Review your progress: Regularly review your past work to see how far you’ve come as a photographer. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, and acknowledge the progress you’ve made. This reflection can boost your confidence and motivation to keep pushing forward.
Build habits and be methodical
“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” Jim Ryun –
former American Olympic track and field athlete.
Very true! Is this ‘habit’ the help we need to keep our motivation stoked?
Some artists work best by taking a more methodical approach to their process. Carefully planning and organizing your work, focusing on the details to ensure precision and cohesiveness can sharpen your technical skills. In turn helping you achieve more intricate and complex pieces.
As mentioned briefly in my previous article on inspiration, professional discipline, aka methods and habits, can keep us chugging along, even when motivation and inspiration are waning. Spend the time and effort to build good work habits and devise methodical approaches that work well for you. These will pay dividends once you need to produce work even though you are feeling motivated. A more methodical approach will also help you achieve a higher level of craftsmanship and produce artworks that are more visually stunning and conceptually rich.
Motivation can be frustrating, take heart
Hate to say this, but motivation, and staying motivated, can be oddly frustrating at times. And sadly, this is quite natural in fact. With the aforementioned strategies I think you will find it easier to keep going and reenergize your motivation and passion when needed.
Remember motivation is a dynamic process, and it is normal for it to fluctuate. It’s essential to be patient with yourself during low periods and to capitalize on high periods by taking focused action towards your goals.
