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The more time passes the more I appreciate that photography is a journey of creative expression and self-discovery. With twenty years of digital files to browse in Lightroom, plus many years of working with film before that, it’s interesting to see how my photography has changed and evolved along with the changes and evolution I’ve gone through as a human being. I’m a different person now to what I was ten years ago (even two years ago), and my photography reflects that. My mid-20’s self, the one that studied photography at college, is nearly unrecognizable to me (as are the photos I made then).
Above: Ten years ago, I was in southern Spain making photos like these.
Above: Last year, I made photos like these in gardens in southern England. My location has changed, and so has my subject and the way I photograph it. My photographer’s voice has evolved alongside these changes.
But all that experience, plus the many thousands of photos made during that time, have contributed to the photographer I am today. They’re part of what’s become my photographer’s voice. And the more I think about it, the more I realize that there are two paths you can follow to develop your own authentic photographer’s voice. This is the knowledge gained from decades of experience, evolution and self-reflection. So let’s take a look at those paths, and how they can help you find your own distinctive way of making photos.
Path 1: Experimentation and play
The first path is a willingness to explore, experiment and play. It applies to three areas of photography starting with the subjects that you decide to photograph. These can, and should, change over the years. If you move around or travel a lot, then your subjects will change naturally. That doesn’t mean you have to try every type of photography there is. But you should at least be pushing the boundaries in your areas of photographic interest.
For example, if you’re a landscape photographer, then you won’t grow if you keep returning to the same places and using the same techniques. You need to find new landscapes to explore and photograph, and experiment with different ways of making images. Think about different ways of working in the landscape. What if you make portraits of people in the landscape? Or you try some close-up and macro photography? Or, if you make most of your photos on the coast, how about going inland and photographing forests, mountains and waterfalls? This process of experimentation adds new tools to your toolbox and helps you figure out what aspects of landscape photography you enjoy the most. It also helps keep your photos looking fresh.
The second area of experimentation and play is technique. With the landscape photography example, that means trying different techniques like long exposure photography, intentional camera movement and painting with light. It doesn’t mean you have to do all those things all the time. It’s about being curious and trying out different techniques to see what results you get. Then you see which ones work for you, then discarding the ones that don’t.
Last year I used three different lenses for close-up photography. A Lensbaby Sol 45, a Helios 58mm vintage lens and a Samyang 100mm macro lens. At the end of the year I looked at photos made with all three lenses and compared them. I like the photos from the Lensbaby Sol the least, and I’m not going to use it again. I liked the photos from the 100mm macro the most, and that’s what I’m going to mostly use from this point on. But I had to go through the experimentation process to get there.
Above: Last year I used three different lenses for close-up photography. When I go through the photos I made I can see that I like the ones made with the 100mm macro lens the most. I will use it for most of my close-up photos this year.
The third area of experimentation is with the software and techniques you use to develop your photos. Again, the idea is to go wide, trying lots of different developing techniques and apps, until you learn which style suits your work the best.
This is not an instant process. It’s an ongoing one, that changes as you evolve and mature as a photographer and a person. But the essential idea remains the same – cast your net wide, and narrow down as you learn what appeals to you and what doesn’t. The subjects you photograph, and the photography and developing techniques you use become part of your photographer’s voice.
Path 2: Self-awareness
Self-awareness is the second path to finding your photographer’s voice. Experimenting with subject, technique and developing style is external. It relies on the cameras and lenses you own, the places you go to, and the software you use.
The second path is internal. It’s about understanding the creative side of your personality. It’s being aware of how your world view and past experiences go into making the person you are today. There are many elements that go into this, so let’s unpick it a little.
Influences: Which photographers do you admire? What do you like about their photos? Influences don’t have to be photographers, they can be artists, writers or any person that inspires you. An artist who doesn’t make photographs but lives a lifestyle that inspires you is as valid an influence as a well-known photographer whose work you admire. Understanding your influences is a key part of self-awareness.
Your past work: Going through your past work helps you see where you’ve been as a photographer and where you might be headed. Organization is key. The more organized your photos are the easier it is to go through them. It helps to think in themes and projects, which is why I write so much about these ideas.
Last week I explored the role your portfolio website plays in seeing and understanding your past work (see the link under this article). When I look at mine I can see my progression through different stages of life, and how the places I lived and worked in influenced the types of photos I made.
Your plans, hopes and dreams for the future: What types of photos do you want to make in the future? What subjects appeal to you? Where do you want to travel? Your influences and an understanding of your past work helps you see this more clearly.
As I look ahead to where I want to be in a few year’s time, I can see that I want to specialize in garden photography. There are gardens I’d like to visit, both locally and overseas. I’m starting to make travel plans around this idea. Further ahead, I have plans for photography workshops, and selling cards and prints.
If there’s one tip I can give you that helps with self-awareness is to keep a journal. You don’t have to write in it every day, every week or even every month. I tend to write in mine once a year, during winter. That’s because I’m not making photos at this time, and instead use it to look back through last year’s photos and reflect on what I achieved.
But, however often you do it, write down some of your thoughts about your photography and your life. Write a letter to your future self, or to your younger self. Reflect on how past experiences made you the person you are today. Write about the plans you want to make, the places you want to visit, the photos you want to make and the person (and photographer) you want to be in the future. Print out meaningful photos and paste them in your journal.
Patience and persistence
Hopefully this idea about two paths to developing your photographer’s voice, an external path and an internal path, is useful to all. It doesn’t matter whether you follow one, the other, or both. The important thing is be patient as you go through these processes. Persist. Do things your way. Don’t chase perfection, and don’t try to make photos that look like other people’s. Developing your photographer’s voice is a lifelong process. Enjoy the journey and have fun with it.
Further reading
Finding Your Creative Voice 2026 course
Finding Your Creative Voice | $25
The 2026 class of the Finding Your Creative Voice course is open for enrollment now.
This course has ten lessons, ten creative exercises and one course project, all designed to help you find your authentic style and voice.
Click here to learn more about or enroll in the Finding Your Creative Voice course today
