How to develop a unique style for your photography

In today's hyper-connected world, it seems like everyone has a camera at their fingertips. Whether embedded in their mobile phones or in a professional camera, taking photos has become the favorite pastime of millions (perhaps billions) of people every day. It's as if everyone has caught the paparazzi fever! The challenge? Standing out from the crowd! Managing to distinguish oneself from the mass of mundane snapshots and the flood of images. But how to do it? The answer is both simpler and more complex at the same time: by developing a style that screams to the world, "This is exclusively mine!"

Imagine being the Frank Sinatra of photography: when people see your photos, the goal is for them to immediately recognize your personal touch, just as they can recognize a Sinatra song from the first few notes. Your style is your signature, your artistic fingerprint.

What does it mean to have a photographic style?

It's like cooking your secret recipe: adding that extra something to your images, whether it's a special touch during the actual shot or in post-production, or even both. What matters is making people know the image is yours even before reading your signature at the bottom. There should be consistency among your photos, a kind of connection between all your creations, as if they all belong to the same visual universe.

It's a bit counterintuitive considering the human tendency to conform. But if you want your photos to stand out, you have to find your way of distinguishing yourself from the mass. Here's the trick: think about how you could do the same things differently. It might involve photographing common subjects in entirely unconventional ways, creating contrasts, playing with light and shadow, manipulating proportions. It's like cooking a classic recipe with a personal twist, using the same ingredients but in your own unique way.

In my professional life, I've heard countless times that nothing is truly original, that everything you want to do has already been done. Well, yes, that's true in most cases, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't try to find your unique way of working, your personal twist.

How do we develop this unique style?

If you ask different artists or photographers with a well-defined style, you'll get different answers. However, there's usually something that drives them to create in a particular way.

There are four fundamental pillars to consider when trying to shape your unique style: the reason why you shoot, the subject, the technical process, and post-production. Let's examine them one by one, with the help of some artists who follow this path.

Why You Shoot

It's like an artist's statement of intent because you know exactly what you're trying to achieve with your images. Many artists work this way, knowing precisely the look or story they want to convey. For example, artist Tracey Moffat examines indigenous culture and social perception, creating her visual reality right from the start.

I often wonder what a world without humans would be like. I find places like Pripyat, the evacuated workers' city after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986, fascinating. It has not been inhabited since, and in those places, there's a silence and tranquility that I find moving, intriguing, somewhat charming, and even disturbing. I often try to photograph places without people to see if I can capture that silence. At the same time, I like to create in my images a world that doesn't seem entirely real.

The Subject

Often, those who develop a style have a favorite theme or subject they focus on; it could be mountains, the night sky, or waterfalls. It's what they love to photograph and tend to mainly focus on that theme. However, it doesn't mean that all images have the same style. Like the painter Rick Amor, who ranges from architectural paintings to beach scenes and self-portraits, each with their style.

Personally, I'm drawn to human architectures. I'm fascinated by the fact that people build incredible buildings, but at the same time, they destroy them. I tend to focus on cities, perhaps because I live in one, and it's easy to get there to take photos. However, if you look at my Instagram page, you'd see that I also enjoy photographing the sea, rivers, and waterfalls, but especially portraits. Many images don't fit my subject, but it's not always possible to create artistic images, and I like to photograph other things from time to time.

Photographic Technique

Technical photography plays a significant role in achieving the desired result. Having an in-depth knowledge of your camera and how to maximize its potential is essential. Some photographers base much of their work on technical precision, where details become a crucial part of photographic art.

Being technically oriented implies seeking specific techniques to give each shot a consistent feel. Your choice of technical approach entirely depends on you; some strive for impeccable technical precision, often emphasizing technical aspects over creativity.

For instance, some landscape and nature photographers are primarily driven by technique. Australian underwater photographer Matty Smith strives to capture every detail directly from the camera, minimizing post-production. For him, getting the desired image on-site or underwater is of primary importance.

Personally, I don't identify as a technically oriented photographer. While I'm familiar with the technical aspects of photography, they're not the driving force behind my artistic vision.

Use of Post-Production

Technical photographers don't do much post-production, while others use it extensively. There are no rules about which path to choose, but you'll find that many photographers with truly distinctive styles achieve their goals through post-processing.

Brooke Shaden is an outstanding artist who uses photography as her primary means to express her unique vision. Through portraits set in different contexts, often using evocative costumes, she breathes life into works that exude originality. However, it's her digital editing prowess that truly sets her apart. Her distinctive style is unmistakable: while similar images can be found, these are often the result of people trying to emulate her unmatched talent and creativity.

My own creativity finds space primarily in the post-production phase. Playing with Adobe Photoshop is as rewarding for me as taking the photos themselves. I spend much more time processing images, experimenting with light, and trying to give my photos a look that touches reality, almost like frames from a movie.

Photographers with Their Own Style

There are many photographers with very distinctive styles, and if you want to develop your personal style, you should look at their work. I suggest taking a look at the works of Joel Grimes, Peter Eastway, Kristy Mitchell, Joel Tjintjelaar, Julia Anna Gospodarou, and Art Wolfe. Yes, it's a shortlist, but their shots will make you shake your head and wonder, "How did they do it?" And, even more importantly, they'll give you the inspiration you need to train your creativity and develop your style.

Should You Copy?

It's a fact: the idea of copying another photographer's work is enticing, especially when seeking inspiration. However, it's worth asking: is it truly the best path? Copying another photographer is as easy as stealing answers from a classmate, but at the end of the semester, you'll be the one sitting for the exam having learned nothing. Sure, you can learn some skills through imitation, but if you want to create your authentic and unique style, you have to use your brain, not just your eyes; you have to understand how to apply what you've learned to your images.

My experience and work have provided me with space to explore and learn. I've consumed a considerable amount of educational material, studying other photographers' work and experimenting with their techniques to try to give my work a distinctive touch.

How to Develop Your Style

Developing your style is an exciting process. It requires a deep understanding of what you want to communicate through your work and how you can do it uniquely, so your images convey your signature without needing a label. It's a journey that takes time and can change over the years, evolving with your personal, technical, and artistic growth.

You won't always perceive your style immediately; sometimes, others see it before you. It's a path of discovery, and a platform like Instagram can be an ideal place to examine your work over time and evaluate the direction it's taking.

Conclusions

Lastly, be bold in experimenting and exploring. Don't limit yourself to others' opinions; follow your creative vision without constantly seeking external approval. Have you developed a unique style in your photography? Tell us your story! Share your experiences and reflections below, because every voice contributes to creating a unique mosaic of knowledge and creativity.