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Okay, can we be real for a minute? I spent SO much time scrolling through photography feeds feeling completely frustrated because it seemed like I was the only person who hadn't figured out their "signature style." Everyone else seemed to have this cohesive, instantly recognizable look to their photos, and meanwhile, my camera roll looked like it belonged to five different people.
Sound familiar? If you're sitting there wondering why your photos don't look like anyone else's (or worse, why they look like EVERYONE else's), I totally get it. The whole "find your style" thing felt impossible to me for the longest time. But here's what I figured out, and trust me, this was a game-changer.
First off, let's talk about this pressure we put on ourselves to have a "style." I used to think that meant I needed to pick a filter and stick with it forever, or that I had to choose between being a "natural light photographer" or a "moody photographer" like those were the only two options in the world.
Here's the thing though – style isn't something you decide on like you're picking a paint color. It's something that develops naturally when you start paying attention to what you're actually drawn to. And spoiler alert: it takes way longer than we think it should!
I spent months trying to force myself into styles that looked cool on other people's feeds, but felt completely wrong when I tried them. Turns out, copying someone else's style is like trying to wear their personality. It just doesn't fit right.
This was probably the hardest part for me, but I had to take a break from constantly looking at other photographers' work. I was so influenced by what I was seeing that I couldn't figure out what I actually liked versus what I thought I should like.
I'm not saying never look at other people's work, inspiration is important! But I had to limit myself because I was getting so caught up in trying to recreate what I saw that I wasn't developing my own eye. It's like trying to find your own voice while everyone else is talking. Sometimes you need some quiet to hear yourself think.
Instead, I started paying attention to what caught my eye in real life. What made me want to take a photo? Was it the light? The emotion? The story? The colors? These clues were way more helpful than trying to analyze why someone else's photos worked.
Here's what I discovered about my own style that I never would have guessed: I'm obsessed vintage boos. Like, seriously obsessed. Once I started paying attention, I realized that some of my favorite photos I'd taken were of kids with vintage books. One Mother’s day I even had mom reading with her kids as a pose.
I also noticed that I'm drawn to moments right after something happens – not the posed smile, but the laugh that comes after. Not the perfect setup, but the relaxed moment when everyone thinks I'm done taking photos.
These weren't things I consciously decided to focus on. They were just patterns that emerged when I started looking at my own work instead of comparing it to everyone else's.
I used to think style was all about editing. If I could just find the right preset or learn the right techniques, I'd suddenly have a cohesive look. But honestly? The technical stuff came after I figured out what I was drawn to.
Once I realized I loved natural, candid moments, I started learning how to capture those better. Once I noticed I was drawn to warm, golden light, I started paying attention to when and where I could find it. The technical skills developed to support what I was already gravitating toward.
That said, here are some technical things that helped me find consistency:
I stick to similar editing approaches (I tend to keep things warm and slightly underexposed)
I almost always shoot in natural light because that's what I love
I've learned to trust my instincts about when to take the photo, even if it's not "perfect"
Here's something nobody talks about: your style is allowed to evolve! I used to think that once I found my style, I'd be stuck with it forever. But that's ridiculous. We grow, our interests change, we get better at technical things, and our style should reflect that growth.
Some of my favorite photographers have bodies of work that span decades and show clear evolution. Their early work doesn't look exactly like their recent work, but you can see the thread that connects it all. That's what real style looks like, it’s not a rigid formula, but a consistent way of seeing.
When I was really struggling with this, I did a few exercises that made a huge difference:
The photo audit. I went through all my photos from the past year and saved the ones that made me feel excited or proud. Then I looked for patterns. What did they have in common? What was I drawn to?
The elimination game. I started paying attention to what I didn't like in my photos and stopped doing those things. Turns out, knowing what you don't want is just as important as knowing what you do want.
The gut check. Before I took a photo, I started asking myself: "Am I taking this because I think I should, or because I actually want to?" This helped me stop taking photos that felt forced.
Here's the truth I wish someone had told me earlier: you probably already have a style, you just don't recognize it yet. It's in the moments you choose to capture, the way you frame your shots, the stories you're drawn to telling.
Stop trying to force it and start paying attention to what's already happening naturally. Your style isn't something you need to create from scratch. Take the time out to really look at the images you capture. Find out what they all have in common and start building from there.
And please, be patient with yourself. Finding your photography style isn't a race, and it's definitely not a one-time thing. It's an ongoing process of paying attention to what moves you, what excites you, and what feels authentic to who you are.
Trust me, once you stop trying so hard to find your style and start paying attention to what's already there, everything will start to make sense. Your photos will start feeling more like you, and that's when the real magic happens.
