Developing your photography style isn't something that has to happen passively over years—it can and should be intentionally shaped. A well-defined style quickly communicates your value, attracting clients who genuinely appreciate your creative vision rather than just your pricing.
Coming to you from Chelsea Nicole Photography, this insightful video dismantles the common myth that your photographic style can only emerge slowly, evolving naturally over countless shoots. Chelsea argues that style isn't just about labels like "moody" or "light and airy," nor is it strictly about how you edit your photos. Instead, it’s about subtle creative choices: how you use lighting, what emotions you emphasize, and which moments you choose to capture and share. Chelsea illustrates how two photographers shooting the same genre can still deliver vastly different experiences based on these subtle artistic decisions. This difference becomes your unique "visual fingerprint," guiding how your work is recognized and valued by clients.
One compelling concept Chelsea shares is the idea of actively exploring the tastes and preferences of your ideal clients. She describes a personal experience early in her career, deliberately spending time in luxury retail environments like Saks Fifth Avenue. The careful, intentional styling of these stores provided insight into the visual language her dream clients valued. Chelsea encourages you to similarly immerse yourself in spaces or experiences admired by your ideal clients, translating that inspiration into your photography. Equally essential, she says, is clearly identifying your personal inspirations—not just from other photographers but also from films, magazines, or even music videos. These diverse sources help you define precisely what resonates deeply with you artistically.
Chelsea further emphasizes the importance of ruthless portfolio curation. She warns against the temptation to display every attractive photo you've ever taken. Instead, she advises you to only share images that explicitly reflect the style you're consciously trying to cultivate. This selective sharing helps solidify your creative identity, signaling clearly to potential clients exactly what kind of experience they can expect from you. Treating your photography with the discipline of an art director can significantly elevate the consistency and quality of your work. She suggests approaching each shoot as part of a broader, cohesive set of images, rather than a random collection of standalone shots. This mindset shift increases the intention behind every photograph you take, significantly improving both the coherence and professional impact of your portfolio.
Chelsea also provides practical, actionable steps you can start using immediately to discover and refine your unique photographic style. She breaks down a specific approach for pinpointing overlapping tastes between you and your ideal clients, calling this intersection your "profitable photography style." By clearly defining these overlapping preferences, you'll understand exactly what makes your work distinctive and attractive to your ideal audience. Chelsea even shares her own style elements as examples, detailing why emotional imagery, vibrant energy, minimalist backdrops, and editorial polish are critical components in her visual approach. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Chelsea.
