Photography Style: How to Define Your Look

by Angie Monson of Simplicity Photography

I a so happy to have Angela Monson back on the MCP Blog.  You can check out my Interview with Angela Monson and the Q&A with Angie from last fall.

I think the key point to defining your style is to give yourself TIME to create what you think is perfect for you. So many times photographers start out just doing what everyone else is doing and don’t actually think about what really clicks within them. We all had to start somewhere so I think it is perfectly normal to be inspired by others. This may last a while, but for me it got old really quickly. I really wanted to stand out and set myself apart, not only with the look of my photographs but educationally as well. We will never know it all.

1. Continue to learn as much as you can. This benefits the journey of discovering your style. Then you have the knowledge to make your ideas come to life.
2. Give yourself time to define your style.  This allows you to feel open and free. When it is time and you will find exactly what you want for yourself.
3. Explore aspects of life that aren’t photography related. These will inspire the look of your photographs.
4. Defining your style changes over time. You will redefine your style often to keep fresh, excited, and different. I feel at this point in my career that I am in the middle of totally redefining my style. I am just plain bored of my work and the  things that used to inspire me have changed over the years. I am ready to redefine my style. It is always evolving in my eyes.
5. Shoot monthly just for yourself. I have started to shoot once a month just for me and it really has helped me love my job again. It allows me to be creative on a level that I feel is more difficult with a paid client since they are paying you for what is on your website.
6. Styling shoots on your own and dreaming up shoots in your mind are the building blocks to creating your perspective of beauty/art/etc.
7. I would encourage those that are struggling with their style to stop looking at other photographer’s blogs and just go out into the world and discover what is around you with fresh eyes.
8. Think about what YOU want as a photographer and what you have to offer. I think so many people worry about what they think their clients want instead of what you want as an artist. There is a photographer for everyone. Your style will appeal to someone and if you don’t put it out there they won’t know it is available.

As cheesy as it may sound, don’t live another day living for someone else only live for yourself. You will love what you do.

Angie Monson, of Simplicity Photography, is a child, senior and wedding portrait photographer in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.  She is known for her vibrant colors and crisp photographic style.  She is ever changing her look so she can grow as a photographer.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 9:00 am and is filed under Guest Bloggers, Interviews, Photography Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.