4 Ways to Develop Your Personal Style as a Photographer
Speaking to a client recently, we got on the topic of developing your personal style and why it’s absolutely crucial to your career as a photographer.
What will ultimately determine why you continue to level up is what sets you apart - sometimes called your “unique value proposition”, and what is ultimately your personal style.
Why would a client choose you over a competitor?
What can you be doing to develop your unique style - the thing that makes your clients say “we want THAT guy”?
If you’re struggling with defining what you offer that no one else does, these are a few ways you can work on this:
PERSONAL PROJECTS: What’s an interest of yours that you would like to explore visually? By formulating a personal project to work on, you’re killing a few birds with one stone:
Identifying what you’re drawn to in the world - what piques your interest and gets you animated.
Exploring that interest in a creative and personal way that is unique to you.
Showing clients who you are a person and helping to foster connections.
TARGETED TEST SHOOTS: Choose a dream client and craft a tailored test shoot just for them. Dive deep into what their brand signifies and discover what initially drew you towards it. Explore the unique visual language they employ to represent their brand and envision how you can elevate or reimagine it with your own creative twist.
HOBBIES (OUTSIDE OF PHOTOGRAPHY): Our personal styles are often evident in various areas of our lives. What other interests ignite your curiosity? How would you define those hobbies? Can you identify a common thread connecting your interests and your unique style?
DEFINE YOUR IDOLS: Nothing creative exists in a vacuum. For better or worse, everything we create depends on what came before us. Who do you look up to, and why? What about their work resonates with and stirs something inside of you? Do those qualities also bring you joy to emulate, or is something else driving your work?
Having a clearly defined personal style is crucial at every stage of your career, even as it fluctuates over time.
It serves as a visual signature, distinguishing your work from others and conveying a cohesive narrative. A defined style enables you to express your unique perspective, creating a distinct identity that resonates with your audience. It establishes trust and recognition, attracting clients who align with your artistic vision.
Moreover, it allows you to consistently produce impactful and meaningful images, as you have a clear understanding of your preferred aesthetics, techniques, and subjects. Embracing and refining your personal style sets you apart in a saturated market, fostering growth, authenticity, and a deeper connection with both your art and your audience.