5 Ways to Grow as a Photographer (and what I learned on my trip to Mexico)

Last summer I bought a new house and my photography was sidelined for a few months. Conversations with realtors and contractors and countless Ikea visits took over my life. You can imagine how excited I was when it was time to pack my suitcase and take off to Mexico. A jam packed photography workshop with the amazing Sebastian Suki Beláustegu got my creative juices flowing again.

Five tips and tricks I learned on my trip:

1. Try new techniques

Over the years I developed a certain way of working with light, lenses and people. This recipe is fool proof and guarantees me to go home after a photo shoot with pictures that I love. While I enjoy the safety that comes with my routine, it sometimes leaves me bored and wanting more. Let’s call it the wow factor. I’m constantly looking for this element in my work. Once my eyes get used to my most current pictures, I know it’s time to reach further and try something new. That’s when I read about new ways of looking at things and start implementing different techniques into my work. Panning, zooming, moving, or freelensing are just the beginning of the endless list you can try when you want to try something new.

Working with prisms or other objects in front of the lens is one way to create unusual views.

2. Be Inspired by Other Artists

Ansel Adams. “You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”

Looking at art can trigger the feeling that everything has already been done. You might ask yourself: are there any new ideas left? I’ve been there, believe me. Try it for yourself. Go out, take your camera, and try to recreate a famous photo. You will quickly learn that it is impossible. Even if you manage to create something similar it will contain your own voice and flair. Many of my best pictures were inspired by pictures that I have seen somewhere. Sometimes it takes me weeks to process where my idea came from and then all of a sudden, I realize that by looking at a certain piece of art a long time ago, I was able to create my own masterpiece.

On the last day of the workshop we went out to photograph the sunrise. I didn’t bring a long lens, so instead I focused on taking pictures of flowers that were backlit by the rising sun (taken with my Lensbaby Edge 35). I adore artists like Monet and Picasso who broke with the rules of their time and created art that was showing their deep love and involvement with their subject. For this picture I just let go of expectations and sat down with my love for nature, light and photography and started playing with the scene. Eventually my pictures showed what I was feeling: happiness in the peace of wildlife showered in glorious, golden morning light.

3. Meet Fellow Photographers

There are many ways to meet crazy photography people. Try to meet in person via Meetup, your local photography club, a destination workshop or online - it really doesn’t matter how you do it. Just do it. Start the conversation and allow fresh wind into your own work.

This picture was taken during my workshop to Mexico and shows my fellow photographers in action trying out flash photography under the guidance of our instructor Suki Belaustegui.

4. Travel and Surround Yourself with Newness

The minute I arrived in Mexico I felt a different kind of pulse going through my body. Bold colors, exotic fragrances and the sound of a language that I could hardly understand shook the foundation of my believes. Within minutes I was propelled out of my comfort zone and started processing my new environment. In the beginning it was tough, but quickly I discovered a whole new world and that reflects in my work. With the help of the organizer of this workshop I worked with techniques and looks I had never seen before. It’s like using the same colors over and over until someone inspires you to use a different kind of paper and all of a sudden everything looks different.

I’ve never tried to take any free lensed pictures. But after talking to my friend Lucy about the process I gave it a try. I love how a world of color is now the main subject of my photo.

5. Believe in yourself

We all have a unique voice. The hard part lies not only in finding it but also in believing in it. Your own voice can be a scary thing. Especially when you haven’t used it in years. It can be much louder or powerful than you think. But it is so much fun to become friends with your voice and to use it purposefully. If you’re not confident to show your new found strength in public, try it at home or whenever you’re alone. The more often you allow yourself to be you, the more confident you will become not only in photography but also in life.

This woman was modeling for me at the workshop and full of her stories and wisdom. She is the perfect example of a strong, confident person and inspired me to use my voice and do my thing. She was not intimidated by me but she also did not try to pose. She was just herself, and that really inspired me.