How to become a better photographer

How to become a better photographer // Improve your photography skills // Family photography education by Hannah Mann

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a photographer – all of us go through seasons of feeling stuck – unexcited about our work, uncreative, underwhelmed, uninspired.

I don’t think I’ve known a single photographer who hasn’t encountered this. Sometimes these ruts can last a long time, other times they’re more short lived but also more frequent. Regardless, all of us feel suck sometimes, and if we’re not there now, we will likely feel that way again in the future.

There’s good news though!

First off, feeling stuck is absolutely normal and to be expected. It’s common to all of us, and it just comes with the territory for artists and creatives. It’s nothing to sweat, I promise. Feeling stuck has very little to do with the quality of our work, and much more to do with our relationship with our work. It’s just a feeling, but it’s one that should get our attention so that we can fix it and get unstuck!

Which brings me to the second piece of good news: there’s a quick and surefire way to get unstuck – you simply need to shoot more of what makes you happy, and shoot without strings attached. Over the years, I have learned that planning out a few sessions for myself each year is absolutely essential to my own growth and contentment in my work. Obviously, making a living with our work is also essential, and I’m not recommending that these sessions replace paid ones. But I am recommending putting together a few shoots each year that are just for you. Ask a friend, do a model call, go have fun with another photographer – whatever works best in your situation is great. But make sure you’re excited about the location and wardrobe and vision, and that you’re shooting with no strings attached – meaning no payment, and no expectations from anyone else.

Part of why we get stuck when we’re only shooting for clients is that there are strings attached – there need to be! They are paying us to create something for them, not just for ourselves, and it’s a collaborative process. But when we put together a session just for the fun of it, we remove all expectations from the equation and give ourselves free range to have fun, take risks, and listen to our own gut. This kind of freedom is what will spur your biggest growth as an artist, no doubt about it.

If you’re feeling like you need to get unstuck or bring some fun and excitement back to your work, here are a few super quick tips on how to best accomplish it:

1. If you know someone who you mesh well with, ask them to shoot with you, instead of a generalized model call. This isn’t always possible, but you’ll have so much more fun if you have great photo chemistry with your clients than if you haven’t met them and realize that they’re challenging to work with.
2. If you want to work with some of your paying clients without replacing their annual session with you, consider asking just mom and kids, or mom and her youngest kids/baby rather than the whole family.
3. Let whoever you work with know that you want to have FUN, and make sure that they understand you’re inviting them to participate in your plan – you’re not simply providing them with family photos. It helps if you already have a location and even potential wardrobe options in mind, so that you can share your ideas for your session with them when you invite them, and make sure they understand their role and your role in the process.
4. Don’t browse Instagram or Pinterest (or TikTok, etc.) for ideas. If you really feel the need to look for inspiration, do so as minimally as possible. In almost all cases, your own ideas will serve you so much better than anyone else’s ideas. All the content on the internet will distract you from what your heart is really leading you toward, and can be super discouraging too. Your ideas can be as simple or as elaborate as you like – just do what feels right to you.
5. Set aside a solid two hours. This is my opinion and of course you don’t have to do this, but I find that some of my very best work happens when I have the chance to spend a long time with my subjects, photograph in different types of light (from bright to soft to sunset to blue hour), switch up wardrobe partway through a session, and make sure that I don’t feel rushed in any way. A time crunch = stress = less chance to get creative and grow!
6. Don’t forget to have your friends/models/etc. sign a model release! I have had so many photographers I know end up in a situation where they did a free session and run into problems with the client afterward. This shouldn’t happen of course, but sometimes people surprise you in the wrong way. It’s so easy to cover your bases in this situation and prevent any issues from happening!
7. HAVE FUN. Seriously! Make sure your plans make you excited, and that you’re actually giving yourself space to enjoy the process of creating. Don’t overthink it, and don’t try to do what it seems like others are doing. Don’t make plans because you feel like you should make them. Just do what you want, and enjoy it. 🙂

Shooting for yourself can change everything, and I’m 100% serious when I say that. Don’t let a year go by without giving yourself space to have fun and grow. And if you’re feeling stuck or frustrated or blah, don’t worry – it’s totally normal and easy to get out of it! 

I’m a family photography educator based in Boise, ID. I am passionate about equipping my students with transformative, actionable education. I believe that EVERYONE can succeed in this industry with the right tools and knowledge, and I love to equip others so they can create the art they dream of and have thriving businesses.

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If you’re ready to grow but you’re just dipping your toes into the educational world, browse my shop! I have high quality, budget-friendly offerings on important topics, and each offering delivers on value and impact.

And if you’re ready for major transformation, it’s time to check out my premier offerings! Enroll in The Art of Connection online course, discover Unbasic Creatives group coaching, or consider a one-on-one mentorship and styled shoot! These have already changed so many photographers’ businesses – and lives! – and they will change yours, too.

How to actually become a better photographer // Improve your photography skills // Family photography education by Hannah Mann