How I Developed My Style

It is important for individual photographers to develop their own style. You want to stand out from a crowd and not copy the same trends from your favourite photographers. It has taken me a while to establish what style I want my images to have. I experimented a lot with colour in the beginning; using coloured backdrops and gel lighting. Although I didn't feel that this was really "me." I wanted to put a part of me in to my images so people can look at that photo and know it was me that took it. In order to do this, I thought of what sort of things define me as a person and maybe that way it could help me with my creative process.

Using coloured backdrops and gel lighting were too "out there" for me. They're loud, they're in your face...something I'm not! I'm a friendly person and I love meeting and working with new people...but I don't like partying or clubbing or anything like that. When I socialise I like going out and exploring, having coffee with a friend, or doing activities like bowling or laser quest (personal favourite). The images that I was taking didn't reflect this side of me and when it came to my personal style, I wanted that part of me to come across. I still use colour when I find it appropriate, I do like coming out of my comfort zone in my day to day life so why not do it in my work?

I also experimented with lighting, particularly the lights and darks. I'd like to think I am a positive person. Friends used to tell me that I laugh at literally everything. Teachers used to say that I always entered their classroom with a smile on my face. If my images came out dark and depressing then well...you wouldn't think I would have taken it.

I thought about what inspires me. What photographers inspire me, clothing, certain looks in make-up etc. In a blog post by "Contrastly" the writer explains that " spending some time reflecting on what it is that really interests you is one of the first steps towards developing your creative vision." This pretty much sums it up. By looking at what inspires you, you can adapt this in to your own style.

https://contrastly.com/how-to-develop-your-own-unique-style-of-photography/

From taking all this in to account, I believe that my photos have a style that fits me perfectly;

- Simple

- Soft

- Light

- Modern Vintage

- Classy

- Elegant

These are the words that I feel defines my images and myself. I like to think that my work reflects my personality and somebody one day can say "Yep, that was definitely taken by Emma."

Having your own style is what helps you stand out from other photographers. Here are

some tips on how to develop your own:

Start Simple

My first ever shoot in a studio was using one soft box at a 45 degree angle. I looked back at the images and thought "what could I have done to make this better?" It's all about freedom and expressing your own creativity. By taking a very simple image, it allows you to keep an open mind about how you would do it differently in your next shoot and the many more that will follow.

Experiment

I did a lot of experimenting in my early days. Not just in portrait and fashion photography but I experimented in other genres to see what worked best for me. Eventually I learnt what went well together and what didn't. I discovered what I felt best represented me as a photographer and eventually I was comfortable with how my photos were turning out. This is something you can do throughout your time as a photographer not just in the beginning. Sometimes you might have an idea that goes against your style completely and it might work and that's okay! It's all about finding what best suits you and sometimes that can change.

Look for Inspiration

Inspiration can really help you get your creativity flowing. Look for photographers who's work you really like, listen to music (something that helps me with my creativity massively!), look through magazines, or just google "fashion photography" and dive in to the genre and see what you find.

Make Mood Boards

This helped me A LOT and still does. Mood boards are like collages of creative ideas you can use for a photoshoot. You can put images that you like on there, the kind of lighting you would like to use, colour palettes, make-up looks, clothes you would like to photograph etc. It's a good way to visualise what you would like to put in to your images.

Be You!

As cheesy as it sounds, be sure to put a part of you in to your work. Don't do a photoshoot that everybody else is doing because that will not make you stand out at all! Don't follow trends UNLESS you are able to adapt it in your own personal way. If you're not yourself, this could reflect in your work and you want to be able to express yourself through the art that you are creating. Have fun!