I’m at a stand still, now what?
Every photographer encounters a phase in their career where inspiration becomes challenging to pin down, and you wonder, "Is this all there is?" Stagnation feels like death for a creative and can be disheartening, but it's familiar.
A creative crossroad where your photography hits a wall and feels mundane. And, now, what used to be fun now feels like "work," and you find yourself repeatedly engrossed in the same types of shoots. What once sparked excitement now feels blah, and your images may no longer excite you. And these assignments now feel like a must-do rather than something I want to do. There's also the possibility that what you wanted to do doesn't come your way because the client or model you contacted doesn't return your call, so you feel like they don't like your work enough. Validation from potential clientele is a thing, and when we don't receive it, it can lead to self-doubt and questions about our professional path.
Feeling stuck can be a great catalyst for change or for trying something you've never done before. Now, as I feel stuck, I am trying out video, film-making, and story-telling. Though it's not the photography I started out with, it's another way for me to be visually creative. This diversification refreshed my perspective and reignited my passion for capturing unique moments, but now with moving pictures. Sometimes, life wants us to take a detour, another route, if you will.
Introspection can be a good tool but can also raise doubts about skills and creativity. The desire to reinvent yourself and determine your work's impact can have good results, but it can also bring more self-doubt.
When I picked up a camera for the first time, I was excited; this was new, and I wanted to learn everything I could. I went to the library to read about photography. We didn't have the internet in the early 80s, and I even asked other photographers at the time questions about photography. I dabbled in various styles and techniques, stepping out of my comfort zone to try many things. Everything was an experiment, and I didn't know if I was coming or going, so to speak, but I wanted to learn no matter the cost.
Learning never stops—this mantra, if you will, is a valuable lesson. Photography evolves, and staying curious and pushing to continually learn what's new is essential. Experimenting with new gear, trying out a different genre, or joining a group shoot with other photographers and learning from each other helps with growth.
I have more to learn. The learning process is exactly that—a journey and not a destination. Apologies for the cliche, but it truly is. We only stop learning when we die. Pushing forward and wanting more is a part of our creative growth.
Periods of doubt aren't new by any means. Trust that this moment of doubt is part of the process. It is growth and a recognition that you want more from your work. So, you reflect on what you've done previously, educate yourself, and search for something better to make your art "better."
If you're in the middle of a lull, stop and try to recall what drew you to this art in the first place. Try to capture that. What has helped me previously was taking a trip to the past and returning things to the basics. Look around you at what others have created, imitate the ones you like, and go from there.
Every artist, great or small, has moments of doubt and moments of stalling. Each one of us has a unique journey. Though we travel the same route, we all use different maps. Figure out the little unique "stops" along your "map" to help motivate you back to your creative moments. I promise this is temporary. Don't do what my buddy did and sell all your gear because it came back to him, and well, getting stuff back can be pricey.
