A combination of perfect portfolios and consistent Instagram posts gives our work a style that gives our clients and followers a strong sense of who we are. However, is there a danger that sticking to a certain style can be restrictive?
In this short video, Matt Day explores our tendency as photographers not to step out of our “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to shooting, fearing that by straying too far from what we know how to photograph might be uncomfortable. Is it because we are afraid of taking a risk, perhaps worried about undermining the image of ourselves that we have carefully constructed and present to the world through our photography? Or maybe it’s just a fear of failure, that experimenting with new ideas strays too far from what we’ve built our success upon.
I can relate to Day as, like thousands of photographers around the world, the global pandemic has meant focusing on what is on my doorstep. Suddenly, instead of traveling across Europe photographing athletes and cities, I’m shooting impressionistic landscape images of a forest. I held off publishing these shots on social media as they are so distant from what people know me for but, taking me by surprise, the photos have proven popular. Suddenly, I’m selling prints and picking up bits and pieces of work locally, and I almost wish I’d not held off for so long.
Does experimenting with style feel like a risk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
I think it is great to have content that discusses style, instead of gear. The art of photography is so much more important than the gear of photography!
I relate to what the author has to say about style and consistency vs. breaking away form our comfort zone. But I don't think it has to be an either/or decision. We can do both! I mean, we can continue to present a consistent style to our clients, and on our online portfolios and galleries ..... yet we can simultaneously shoot in radically different ways!
We can experiment with all kinds of different shooting techniques and aesthetic styles, and produce images that transect a very broad spectrum. And yet we can still curate our client submissions and gallery posts by only choosing to show the images that are consistent with the particular style we are trying to market.
As with almost everything in life, two very different things are not mutually exclusive. We really can do it all, and are never limited to just choosing one or the other.