5 Ways to Spark Creativity with a Personal Project

As artists we all have a point where we hit a creative rut. This can come from photographing the same thing over and over again, or certain times of the year, slow season or you may just need to be inspired to create something new. Photography is always evolving not only as technology advances but also as styles and trends change. It is important that we all take some time to spark our creativity and refresh with a new set of eyes.

When I hit a lull in my business I love to challenge myself to a personal project. This may be a theme or an idea that I have been wanting to try  or something that will force me to think outside the box.  I run a portrait studio so 95% of my photography is shot for a client. While I am still the artist behind the camera my goal is to be able to create images that my client will love and purchase. This means that it is not very often that I just shoot for me with no hidden expectations and no worrying about failing. Here are some tips on how to use a personal project to get your creative juices flowing.

1. Try Something New

Did you know you can rent camera gear? Check out a local camera store if you have one and inquire about renting gear. If that is not an option for you see if you can borrow something a friend or fellow photographer. If that still does not work for you, research lighting techniques and try a new lighting technique using the lighting you have.  Sometimes just playing with a new toy or trying a new technique can really get you excited to take more creative photographs. This could potentially result in a new purchase as I have been known to rent gear and fall in love with it. But no matter what it is always fun to try something new. For one personal project I had in the past my husband designed a fun light for me to try out in the studio. I loved being able to try constant light and finding the inspiration in how the lighting affected my subject.

2. Find a New Location

Scout a new location. If you are a landscape photographer this may be second nature for you. For a portrait photographer finding a new location is always inspiring. I am always looking for a new place to take photographs. Look in a nearby town. Find a friend who has beautiful property and ask if you can come by one afternoon. Find a building that you see potential in. Look online for parks or areas a fellow photographer may have already found that you want to check out.  There are hidden gems everywhere! I have found so many locations that I never knew existed right in my own backyard. One of my personal projects was at an airplane hanger. I had a friend who owned a plane and I was super excited to give it a try. Grabbed myself a couple of cute models and had a session full of creative inspiration that had me ready for my season to begin. Just a reminder, if you do use a location (or prop) that is not yours don’t forget to take care of the owner with a nice thank you!

3. Shoot Outside Your Comfort Zone

This is a good one. Shooting outside your comfort zone can really help you push you creatively. This does not mean to photograph something you don’t like but maybe something that you don’t do everyday? Something that is challenging for you and you want to use a personal project where there is no expectations to give it a whirl. If you are a landscape photographer this may mean photographing people and if you are a portrait photographer maybe this means photographing landscapes. You could also use this for shooting in different times of day to create a challenge that you want to work on. I use real life sessions for personal projects  when I need a boost as they are a little more outside my comfort zone. Shooting in a clients home causes me to react to my environment more than I am used to. I also love approaching the session with a different intent. It is more of a photojournalistic style and it is a different story I am telling. This type of personal project is a great way for me to work on a less controlled session with different lighting challenges.

4. Think About the End Result

Is there a display at your studio that needs updating? Or even in your own home? Is there a wall that has been waiting for the perfect collection? Create a personal project that will allow you to complete or update a wall or display that you have. Think about what it is that will make it perfect. I had a display at the studio that I wanted to swap out with something new but I was having trouble finding something that was just right in my archives. I knew that I wanted a series of 6 all  from the same session, showing clients how they could create a fun little display from their sessions. So I made a Facebook model call looking for someone to help fill this. I wanted a couple of kids to photograph in a small little downtown area. I wanted to photograph them playing and enjoying ice cream at the village ice cream shop. It was a blast and not only gave me a creative nudge it also ended with fun sample images for my studio. A win/win.

5. Year+ Personal Project

Most personal projects I take on are one session (maybe two or three). It is not often I let a project take too long as I don’t want it to go unfinished or set up expectations that I can not meet. So I keep them simple and manageable. However, there are times when having a personal project that is ongoing can be very fulfilling. This will get you always searching and always seeing your theme or project you are working on.  Many of you have seen the one a day photo projects or even the month long photo scavenger hunts. I do enjoy those but they don’t always fit in with life. Setting a project that is on going without deadlines usually works a bit better for me.  Sometimes these projects can fall in your lap. Sometimes you may have something you enjoy like waterfalls or flowers.  Think of a theme, a feeling, item or something that inspires you and start your own project. I have two that are in progress. One is about expressions. Over the years, looking through back archives I noticed a theme happening in almost all of my sessions. I would photograph a tight horizontal (usually Black and White) face shot of the kids I was photographing. Finding the expression that told that child’s story. I still do this in my sessions and look forward to each expression I find. To go outside the box, I rarely photograph anything but portrait images but I have always been drawn to old hotel signs. The older the better. I have family in Reno and as you may already know its a goldmine for old signs. When I am traveling and in a new area I am always searching for a new sign to add to my collection.

I hope one (or more) of these fun ideas will help you create a personal project that will spark your creativity! Get back behind that camera and remember why you love photography! Challenge yourself but most importantly, Have Fun!

***Want to join in on a  mini photo assignment?

This is a great way to start a small personal project and be inspired by others along the way! For the month of May I am hosting a little in house Scavenger Hunt for the ON1 team. I am going to extend the invitation to all of you to play too!  If you are on1 plus member you can have a sneak peek in the forums in the Portrait and Lifestyle category. Keep your eye out for the official blog post with more information!

To see more of my work visit Bliss Studio, or my personal blog Life Out Loud Blog.