HOW TO FIND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE (WITHOUT COPYING SOMEONE ELSE)
In a world full of inspiration at your fingertips, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to be or edit like someone else to be successful. You scroll Instagram or Pinterest, see someone thriving, and wonder if you should tweak your colors or poses to match. But here’s the truth: your style doesn’t come from mimicking what’s trendy or what is working for someone else – it comes from creating what feels honest to you.
Finding your photography style is more about looking inward than outward. What do you naturally gravitate towards? Are you drawn to soft, golden light or moody shadows? Do you like light and airy tones or clean, classic portraits? What about traditional posed photos or candid storytelling? Take time to observe the patterns in your work that make you pause and feel something – that’s your creative voice trying to speak up.
It also helps to photograph a lot of different people, locations, and times of day. The more you practice, the more you figure out what feels right (and what doesn’t). It’s less about chasing “perfection” and more about learning through experience. Give yourself space to experiment without needing every photo to be portfolio-worthy.
Remember, inspiration isn’t a bad thing – but it’s important how you use it. Get inspired and let it be a starting point, not a blueprint. Let other artists inspire your curiosity, not define your direction. Your goal isn’t to copy someone’s style – it’s to discover your own through intention and authenticity.
At the end of the day, the photographers who stand out are the ones who stay true to themselves. When you create from that place, your style will follow – and clients will connect with work that feels real, not recycled.
One of the most beautiful things about photography is that there’s room for everyone but we don’t need the same “everyone”. Light and airy is not my style but I still think it’s beautiful. I have a photographer friend who is most definitely a light and airy photographer and I adore her work. I have another friend who has a super moody style and feel to her photos, and even though that’s not my style, I look at her work with starry eyes. But just because I love their work and they produce beautiful images, does not mean I want to copy them. I have my style and they have theirs – and that’s what makes this creative community so vibrant and versatile.
We need more intentional, authentic, and real creatives. Don’t dim your own light by trying to get under someone else’s. What’s inside of you is unique and purposed FOR you. And I hope to see you shine and flourish in all that you were created to be.
With so much love, Alanie
