Have you done an end of year review for your photography progress yet? Let me help with this quick 10-minute training. Grab a pen and notebook along with your favorite photo from this year.
Looking back on the images you’ve created and the experiences you’ve had doing so will help you develop a growth plan for your photography in the year ahead.
I call it creative exhaustion. Though I’m sure I’m not the first person to use that phrase.
Those times when you completely run out of ideas. When the last thing you want to do is pick up the camera.
It’s a feeling that makes you wonder if you’ll ever find another moment of inspiration and that the time has come to move on.
It’s not.
You just need to give yourself permission to take creative break.
Part of the practicing and learning process for any skill, including becoming more confident in creating your photos, is working in necessary breaks.
Growing happens during these breaks. It’s the kind of growth that can’t happen when you are deep in brainstorming your next idea, styling a set, and selecting the right aperture.
Step away from the camera.
Here are 4 things you can do during this much-needed break that will continue to move you forward without stalling your progress.
Whether it’s a book, online, or in person, browse paintings, pottery, poetry, illustrations. Set no expectations or a need to translate this into a photo. Enjoy it for what it is, the colors, the words, the art.
When we have such a strong urge to share our food because it’s too good or beautiful to keep it to ourselves, or worse, we need content (believe me, I’m with you), we sometimes lose the true enjoyment of what we love working with most - food. Whether its a bread, dessert, or a fruit salad - create it mindfully, appreciate its beauty, then enjoy eating every bite.
Chances are you have a million things to do regardless of the focus of your work. Take a week off from creating photos and move another part of your work forward. Finally design a portfolio page for your photos. Draft your work or content plan for the next quarter. Get moving on that new logo. Start planning for next year’s growing season.
Sign up for a quick photo editing course or watercolor painting class. Review videos online on styling a home or a holiday table. Read through blog posts or catch up on podcast episodes from those sharing on topics such as prop styling, creating a brand, or business tips.
Okay, that should get you started. Now set the camera down. I promise it won’t collect dust. Commit to not making yourself feel bad for taking a week (or more) off from shooting. Dive into something else and then return to it renewed when you are ready.
About 3 years into food blogging, I knew that making it a full-time career was a no-go for me.
I just couldn’t make it work.
But it led me to something that I didn’t see coming. A love of food photography and styling. A passion for sharing about food, honoring my health-roots, and reflecting my affection for the culture of travel through images…of the foods we eat.
Once I made the decision to become not a blogger who took pictures, but a food photographer who also had a blog, things fell into place. Over 10 years, I made the slow and steady transition from aspiring to professional.
My friend and colleague, Jason Logsdon, sous vide expert and founder of Amazing Food Made Easy, recently launched Makin’ Bacon. It’s an essential resource for those who want to serve their fans and grow their income food blogging.
He invited me on to talk about my journey and discuss:
how I transitioned my business
networking as a key for growth
photography tips
how I figured out where to price myself when I had no idea where to start
Click to listen above. Or head over to the podcast page for Lori Rice Professional Photographer Interview!
