Study many, shoot like yourself – If you only study one photographer, you’ll take photos like them. But if you study lots, your unique style will naturally emerge from a mix of influences.
📸 Look back at your old work – Your editing, composition, and creative choices have evolved over time. Revisit and re-edit old shots to see just how much your perspective has changed.
📸 Embrace what you do – It’s easy to compare your worst shots to someone else’s best, but your journey is your own. Learn to appreciate your progress and develop self-love for your photography.
Finding your style isn’t about creating something entirely new—it’s about recognising what you already do well and leaning into it.
Developing a personal style in photography can feel like an impossible task. With so many incredible photographers out there, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing trends or constantly second-guessing your work. But the truth is—your style is already there. You just need to recognise it, refine it, and trust yourself enough to embrace it.
Go With Your Instincts, Then Refine
Your first instinct when taking a photo is usually a reflection of how you see the world—and that’s what makes your work unique. Too often, photographers second-guess their choices, worrying that their images don’t fit a certain “look” or aren’t impressive enough. But great photography isn’t about pleasing others—it’s about seeing in your own way.
Instead of forcing a particular style, lean into what naturally draws your eye. Pay attention to the compositions you gravitate toward, the lighting you prefer, and the moods you create. Once you start recognising these patterns, you can refine them.
🟢 Try this: The next time you’re out shooting, take a few minutes to analyse your decisions before moving on. Why did you choose that angle? What made you press the shutter at that moment? If something instinctively felt “right,” explore why.
Study Many, Shoot Like Yourself
It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to shoot like someone else. You might admire a particular photographer’s style and think, “If I could shoot like them, I’d be great.” The problem? If you only study one photographer, you’ll end up imitating their work, not creating your own.
Instead, study a wide variety of photographers. Look at how different artists approach composition, lighting, colour, and storytelling. The more influences you absorb, the more you’ll start to notice what resonates with you—and over time, your style will emerge as a blend of everything you’ve learned.
🟢 Try this: Create a mood board with images that inspire you. Pick 10 different photographers whose work you admire and break down what you like about each one. Do you love their use of light? Their minimalism? Their storytelling? This exercise will help you see patterns in what you naturally connect with.
Look Back at Your Old Work
One of the best ways to understand your style is to look at how your work has evolved. We rarely notice our own growth because it happens gradually—but when you compare your older photos to your recent ones, you’ll start to see clear differences in composition, subject matter, editing, and overall feel.
🟢 Try this: Go through your photo archives and find images from a year or more ago. Ask yourself:
- What do I like about this image?
- What would I do differently now?
- How has my editing changed?
- How has my composition evolved?
Even better—try re-editing an old photo using your current editing style. You’ll be surprised at how different the final result looks and how much clearer your stylistic choices have become.Embrace What You Do – Stop ComparingComparison can be the biggest killer of creativity. It’s easy to scroll through Instagram and feel like your work doesn’t measure up. But here’s the reality: You’re comparing your worst photos (or your work in progress) to someone else’s best.Photography isn’t about being better than someone else—it’s about growing, evolving, and enjoying the process. You don’t have to have a hyper-stylised portfolio to be a great photographer. Some of the best photographers have a style that’s simply an extension of how they see the world.🟢 Try this: Instead of looking outward for validation, take a moment to appreciate your own progress. What are you proud of? What do people say they love about your work? Lean into that instead of constantly looking elsewhere.Your Style is Already There – Trust ItYou don’t need to force a style—it will naturally evolve the more you shoot, edit, and explore your own creative instincts. The key is to embrace the way you see, refine what you love, and stop worrying about how your work compares to others.Your best work comes from you being you. Trust that, and your unique style will shine through.