5 Steps to Spark Your Creativity
Okay let’s be real, as artists we have ALL been there. Things get repetitive, tiring, and uninspiring. After all, we work with the same types of subjects day in and day out. I know I have found myself once or twice questioning my work, getting over the same poses, and craving something more. Keeping those creative juices flowing is SO critical in this line of work. Don’t get me wrong, there will always be those standard, key shots needed with each session. However, who says we can’t change things up and add a little spark? I mean…you ARE an artist!
I’ve seen so many photographers, both in and out of the equestrian industry, struggle with maintaining the spark that drove their passion for photography in the first place. Many have asked how to get out of a creative rut and stay artistic. I decided it was time to come on here and share a few tools that have helped me light that creative spark, create new content, and fall in love with my work all over again. SO, let’s get to it! Below I have listed out 5 steps to help spark your creativity.
1. FIND WHAT SPEAKS TO YOU!
There are SO many artists out there! Which means there is a ton of content for you to get inspired by. Sometimes when I’m struggling with my own creativity I will turn to other professionals in the industry and search for work that inspires me. One of my favorite ways to do this is simply by scrolling through my Instagram feed. I follow a TON of equine photographers on my platform and am able to see the content they are pushing out to the world. Instagram has this lovely Bookmark feature where you can actually create specific folders for various topics. I’ve got several under my account including Equine, Weddings, BBGs, and more! Every time that I find an image that moves me, for whatever reason, I will bookmark it into its appropriate folder. Later, I go back and review the images I saved. I do my best to reflect on individual images and find what exactly it is I’m drawn to. Whether it be a physical pose, use of light, tone aesthetic, etc. Now not only am I finding content that inspires me, but I’m digging deep to understand WHY it does. Another platform that I have fallen in love with is Pinterest! I have a similar process creating various boards for different subjects, reviewing at a later time what I have pinned to each board, and working through what I like and don’t like. Having so many artists in the world gives you the ability to see new things that maybe wouldn’t have crossed your mind. Now keep in mind, I’m not saying go out and copy all these artist’s work. In fact, DON’T do that. It’s one thing to find some inspiration, but a completely other to mimic another person’s work. You still need to strive to be you, focus on your styled, and create art that reflects your core values.
2. ATTEND WORKSHOPS AND STYLED SHOOTS
Alright so here’s the thing, I’ve heard a ton of mixed feelings when it comes to styled shoots. Everyone will always have something to say about them and that is perfectly fine! However, when it comes down to it, I say go with your gut. For me workshops and styled shoots are one and the same; in the sense that they both give you the opportunity to not only learn, but get creative! Obviously there is a huge difference between the two. Workshops are more designed as a way to teach and instruct fellow artists on subjects they sign up for. Styled shoots on the other hand aren’t necessarily a teaching platform, but a way for photographers to shoot new content to either improve or grow. Having stepped into the wedding industry, I can tell you that the styled shoot aspect is extremely popular and also highly controversial. Lots of photographers will claim that those attending styled shoots are basically providing false advertisement on their websites and social feeds by posting images from a perfectly set up “wedding day.” While I can understand the perspective, I have to say that attending these shoots myself really encouraged me to let loose, try something new, and get creative in a whole new way. It wasn’t long before I recognized that these styled shoots didn’t have to be strictly wedding related. I’ve had the chance to host and attend several equine photography workshops and styled shoots over the years now. Honestly, every time I do I walk away feeling refreshed and excited to work again! I strongly believe that as an artist you can never stop learning, not only in a classroom educational way, but out in the field as well. Whenever I’ve attended these events I make it a goal to try something new, even if it’s the smallest adjustment to my routine. Sometimes I will find myself playing with my depth of field, creating new ways of finding light, adding movement, or cropping a pose I wouldn’t usually. Whatever it may be, trying something new has always helped me find some new inspiration that I incorporate into client sessions.
3. DON’T BE AFRAID OF YOUR GEAR
There are a TON of various camera bodies, lenses, and other gear out there for you to choose from. The great thing is that all these options also give you a ton of chances to get creative. Now, I’m not telling you to go out and buy the next crazy expensive piece of equipment you can find. Our gear is simply a stepping stone in creating our own products. At the end of the day it is the artist that makes the images, not the equipment. However, don’t be afraid to try something new with your gear and have fun with it! When I bought my Sigma ART 85mm, I was SO thrilled to see that gorgeous depth of field it created. I knew that there could be a lot of incredible shots taken with this lens and I couldn’t wait to get started. However, it wasn’t long before I realized, I was scared to try. I was so focused on making sure my images were tack sharp, not cropped funny, and portrayed in a way I knew my client liked. Doing this was actually keeping me from even attempting to go below a 3.5 on this amazing lens! It truly was a shame let me tell you. When I finally got the courage to start experimenting and dropping that F-stop, I was totally in love with the results. Not every image I took needed to be the ‘perfect photograph’. It was totally fine to include some more artistic images and send them to clients. In fact, lots of my clients LOVED those shots! I was so easily intimidated and not wanting to mess anything up, that I wasn’t allowing myself to just let loose and play around with some gear that I had treated myself to for the sole purpose of getting artsy! So if you’re one of those people that are struggling a bit to try a new setting and see what your gear can do, I’m telling you to just DO IT. I promise you won’t regret it and at the very least you’ll learn a lesson from what you try.
4. PREP BEFORE YOUR SESSIONS
Alright maybe this one might seem a little obvious to you. I don’t know how you guys do it, but whenever I have a client set up a session with me I find myself wanting to do a little prep work beforehand. Remember those Instagram bookmarks I chatted about earlier? Well… I tend to also create temporary ones for each of my sessions! For example, let’s say Rachel scheduled a horse and rider portrait session with me. Maybe a week before our session date I will hop on IG, create a bookmark folder specifically for her, and begin filling it with images that inspire me for Rachel’s session. Sometimes these images are drawn from my own work, other artists, or ideas the client themselves have showed interest in. Now obviously when you get to your session ideas will pop into your head, or you’ll forget some of the poses you had walked into the session wanting to do. But it doesn’t matter! I always tell people, shoot what is calling to you. Doing this sort of prep work beforehand simply helps me to get excited, open my eyes to new ideas, and try something new! Each and every session is going to be completely different and unique to itself. That is the beauty in it! Embrace what comes to mind and while you want to grab those key shots, always try something new. You may be surprised what comes from it.
5. STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE
JUST DO IT! I’ll be honest, this was a pretty difficult task for me. I was always so set in my way of doing things that I was nervous to think outside the box and try things that weren’t the norm. Now I have made it a huge part of each session I do! I’m always aiming to try new shots and work in a way that is drastically different from what I’m used to. I continue to keep my style in mind and always create content the flows with the session at hand, but I push myself to try something new. There are a ton of different ways you can step outside your comfort zone including the subject you’re working with, posing, lighting, angels, etc. Personally I am drawn to working with backlit images primarily with some sort of foliage covering. Knowing this, I try to find different ways of incorporating light and not always having them behind my subject. I’ve pushed myself to work with direct light or maybe having the light directly behind a horse and rider and using them to actually dim it down. Other ways I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone would be various forms of editing, posing, and using negatives space in images. I have to say I actually am quite thrilled with the results! Stepping outside the norm and pushing your creativity in ways you never did before can be so critical to your growth as an artist.
These 5 steps I’ve shared with you today are only a few suggestions to help fellow artists get out of their creative ruts and fall back in love with their work! There are always other ways to get back to doing what you love in a way that makes you happy. I encourage you to brainstorm those ideas, put them in motion, and see what happens! I hope you were able to gain a little help from this blog and look forward to sharing more educational content soon.
To stay up to date with all our educational content you can click below to join our AMP Learn newsletter!
Behind the Scenes Photography Mentorship with Ashleigh Magnus Photography
Behind the Scenes Portrait Session with Ashleigh Magnus Photography