The Art of Experimentation: Finding your Creative Voice

Ever since I began my photography journey, and more so since sharing my work online, I’ve often grappled with the notion of defining ‘the right’ photography style. It’s a common concern among creatives, especially when we feel the pressure to fit into a specific mold or category. As someone who thrives in diverse creative environments, I’ve realized that my passion for photography doesn’t necessarily mean I have to confine myself to a single style or genre. Instead, I find joy in exploring a variety of areas within the field, and I’ve come to understand that it’s okay to share this diversity.

One of the biggest hurdles in this journey has been the tendency to compare myself to others. It’s easy to scroll through endless streams of inspiring images and feel that my work doesn’t measure up. This comparison can be paralyzing, making me doubt my abilities and direction. However, I’ve learned that this comparison is a distraction from what truly matters—developing my unique style. Instead of letting others' successes overshadow my own progress, I focus on my personal growth and the joy I find in creating.

If you’re experiencing similar feelings, I’d like to share some insights that have helped me embrace the fluidity of my creative journey. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we need to have everything figured out from the start—that we must see the entire picture before we begin. But the truth is, you don’t need to have it all mapped out. Worrying about how things will look in the long run can actually slow down your progress and stifle your creativity.

Instead, allow yourself the freedom to experiment with anything that piques your interest. Share what you love, even if it doesn’t perfectly align with your Instagram feed or portfolio. Don’t let the fear of stepping outside your usual boundaries stop you from exploring new pathways and potentially discovering new passions.

Remember why you started. For most of us, the initial spark that led us to pick up a camera was the pure joy it brought us. It’s easy to lose sight of that joy when we get caught up in the pressures of sharing our work and defining our style. I’ve often found myself overwhelmed by thoughts of where I want this journey to take me in the years ahead, and that stress has sometimes overshadowed the passion I have for photography.

So, I invite you to join me in continuing to create art to the best of our abilities, to keep growing through the experience of creating, and to stay connected to the reasons why we started this journey in the first place. Let’s focus on the present, embrace the diversity of our creative interests, and find joy in the process of exploration.

If you need me I'll be roaming the creative wilds,

Nic x