Bad habits can stall your progress and hold back your creativity. Recognizing them is crucial if you want to grow and develop your unique voice.
Coming to you from Roman Fox, this insightful video covers nine common habits that might be blocking your progress. One of the key points raised is the danger of blindly following trends. While it’s normal to experiment with new styles, becoming overly dependent on a popular look can be a trap. Fox explains how, years ago, many were drawn to specific trends like nighttime photography with steel wool and light trails. But as soon as these trends faded, those who had made them their entire identity found themselves without a direction. This shows why it’s vital to cultivate your own style. Otherwise, when the trend dies, so might your audience’s interest. Following trends isn’t inherently wrong, but if they’re all you rely on, you’ll struggle to develop a unique voice that resonates long-term.
The video also emphasizes the importance of practice over theory. You might spend hours reading books, watching videos, and listening to podcasts, but none of it replaces the value of hands-on experience. Fox shares from personal experience how he initially spent months learning through videos without actually shooting. It wasn’t until he went out with his camera that he realized how little he truly understood. The takeaway is that while theory is helpful, it can’t make up for the practical knowledge you gain when you’re out shooting. You might feel productive absorbing information, but it’s only when you put it into action that you start to improve.
Another crucial topic Roman Fox touches on is the mistake of forcing a particular style on every situation. Finding your style takes time, and once you do, it’s tempting to use it everywhere. But Fox warns against this, explaining that a style that works in one setting might not translate well to others. He uses his own work as an example: photos that thrive in the rainy, moody streets of Tokyo might look out of place when applied to a sunny beach in Spain. The key is to be adaptable, experimenting with different looks that suit various locations and lighting conditions. Otherwise, you risk making images that feel forced and mismatched to the environment.
Expanding on these points, the video dives into how social media can trap you if you’re not careful. Many get caught up in expectations, whether it’s about the number of likes or the kinds of photos that will perform well. But, as Fox points out, you can’t control everything. You might plan a shoot down to the last detail, but unexpected things happen. Maybe it starts to rain, or an obstructed view ruins your composition. Learning to adjust and focus on what you can control—like how often you practice and how much effort you put into refining your skills—will help you manage your expectations better. The same goes for the content you share. If you’re always checking for likes or engagement, you may end up feeling discouraged, which is a distraction from your actual growth. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Fox.
