Photography is both an art and a skill that takes years to master, yet the journey itself offers invaluable insights. The technical aspects matter far less than developing your creative vision and overcoming the psychological barriers that prevent you from capturing exceptional images.
Coming to you from Liam of 7th Era, this insightful video shares ten powerful lessons learned over a decade of photographic exploration. Fear and doubt will always be present, but you shouldn't let them stop you from pursuing your creative ideas. Some of Liam's best work came from spontaneous, barely-planned shoots—including his most-viewed YouTube video, which involved random household props for portraits. The gear obsession that plagues many newcomers is another trap to avoid. Upgrading from a crop sensor to full frame camera didn't dramatically improve Liam's street photography because skill trumps equipment every time. Professional photographers take stunning images with smartphones because they understand composition and light—not because they have expensive gear.
Light fundamentally shapes every photograph you take, transforming ordinary scenes into compelling images. When shooting portraits, placing the sun behind your subject creates a beautiful glow along their edges instead of washing out their features. Composition—what you choose to include or exclude from your frame—matters more than camera settings. Recently, Liam has focused on minimalism, asking what he can leave out rather than what to include. Photography exists in a tension between spontaneity and patience. Sometimes, capturing the decisive moment means quickly snapping without perfect settings, while other situations demand waiting patiently for the right subject to enter your carefully composed frame.
The video continues with practical advice about simplifying your gear choices when shooting. Instead of carrying six different lenses, limit yourself to one or two to avoid decision fatigue in the field. Collaborating with other photographers doubles the fun and creativity while halving the difficulties. A Dutch saying reminds us that "you can't always throw six"—not every outing will produce your best work, and that's perfectly fine. The pressure to match the seemingly flawless images flooding Instagram can be paralyzing, but remember that those photographers also struggle with the same insecurities. Finally, if you're stuck, find someone already doing what you aspire to and ask for help. Liam learned food photography by offering assistance on a friend's shoot—an approach far more effective than watching tutorial videos. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
