4 Important Questions That Photographers Should Ask Themselves Regularlywww.sleeklens.com
We all lead busy lives. Your days might be filled with creative ideas, the demands of a full-time job, or your children. Whatever situation you’re in, you deserve to take care of yourself, especially the part of you that finds comfort in art.
When you nurture this side of yourself, you’ll feel appreciated, confident, and strong. This will help you to both deals with everyday tasks and get better as a photographer.
How can you nurture yourself without neglecting other parts of your life? The easiest solution is self-reflection. By answering personal questions, you’ll find out something new about yourself. You’ll understand what you want and need. You’ll get closer to reaching your goals. You might even discover what those goals really are.
The questions below will help you get started. Answer them as honestly as possible. Answer them regularly. Chances are you’ll be left with a lot of enlightening information at the end of your sessions.
Table of Contents
Do I like who I am becoming an artist?
Oftentimes, we get so lost in our ideas that we don’t realize where we’re going. We’re unaware of the impact we’re making in the community. We’re taking all kinds of photos without acknowledging our hard work. We’re forming bad habits without even wanting to.
If you can relate to this, take a step back and look at how far you’ve come. Compared to your older self, do you like who you are becoming?
Where do I want to be in 10 years?
The future is unknown, which is why a lot of people avoid talking about it. Most things don’t go as planned. Failure is inevitable. Nonetheless, have the courage to envision your future self. Don’t make any real plans; instead, think of the kind of place you’d like to be in. What will your portfolio look like in 10 years? What kind of job(s) would you like to have? These questions may not give you solid answers, but they’ll definitely show you what your heart is yearning for.
What kind of resources can I use to improve my work?
No matter how (in)experienced you are, there will always be something you can improve about your work, even within a genre you’re very familiar with. For example, I’d like to get better at skin retouching. I’ve never taken the time to sit down and really get to know Photoshop’s useful tools. I can easily fix this by watching Youtube videos, asking fellow photographers for advice, or reading articles on Sleeklens. The best thing about all of these resources is that they’re free.
While there are lots of incredible premium resources out there, don’t let their price tags stop you from pursuing knowledge. If you can’t afford something, chances are that you’ll find a free alternative elsewhere. And if all else fails, just experiment.
How do I want people to feel when they look at my photos?
When you look at your favorite artists’ work, how do you feel? Is this something you want your followers to experience, too?
Every photograph is interpreted differently by every viewer, but it also gives off universal emotions that almost every viewer will notice. A colorful portrait of a smiling child will warm your heart, while a black & white photo of a lonely figure will remind you of loneliness.
With this in mind, consider the impact you’d like to have on people. Write down a list of emotions that mean a lot to you, and see how you can include them in your future creations.
Now that you’ve answered these questions, go out and try something new. In small but significant ways, improve your life.
Remember: this isn’t something you have to do once. Ask yourself these questions regularly. Checking in will show you how much you’ve changed, how much you’ve accomplished, and how close you are to your goals. With time, you’ll notice a spectacular difference in both your creative and personal life.
Which questions was your favorite? Are there any other questions that should be mentioned here? Let us know in the comments!
I'm an admirer of nature, a photographer, and a curious reader. Writing about photography and helping others improve is a growing passion of mine. My constant wish is to inspire others to be creatively fearless and endlessly curious.
"Always dream bigger is my advice to you, because you can have whatever your heart desires"
- Ashley Graham
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