THESE ARE MY TIPS AND IDEAS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND OTHER CREATIVES TO GET OUT OF A CREATIVE RUT AND BEAT THE BURN OUT BUG — CHEERS TO LIVING A MOTIVATED BIZ’ LIFE!
“YOUR SUCCESSES DO NOT DEFINE YOU… AND NEITHER DO YOUR FAILURES.”
- MORGAN HARPER NICHOLS
To start, if you’re ever feeling in a funk or unmotivated… just go read any of Morgan Harper Nichols’ work and you will feel instantly seen and encouraged!
So, I think we all can relate to this, at least I’m guessing you resonate since you clicked this blog post. We’ve all been there — call it a creative rut or maybe even burn out — a point of discouragement and lack of motivation to keep doing what you’re doing.
Well, these are just a few ways I’ve tackled the burn-out-monster and found ways to spark new creativity and excitement with my business. I hope they can give you a place to land if you’re in that season right now, a few ways to start feeling motivated again!
HERE ARE MY TIPS…
I. CHANGE YOUR ROUTINE —
This may seem straight forward, but sometimes stagnation is the issue. Switch up the “normal” to get things stirring! For example, I love taking my laptop and setting up “camp” at a local coffee shop or bakery and working for the day somewhere new. It’s AMAZING how much work I get done when I go to a new space, put in headphones, and plug away! Here are some other things to try…
A regular social media scroller? Take a break. Yep, put your phone away or delete the app that sucks your time and energy. Sometimes just being overloaded with what everyone else is doing can be an energy and creativity sucker! It doesn’t give your brain a chance to come up with your OWN things. Give yourself a break from it, step away from the comparison.
TV watcher / music listener / podcast binger while you work? If you tend to always pair one of those things with working, maybe it’s time to change it up! Try multitasking in a new way, give your brain a rest of the usual added on stimulation. Heck, sometimes I just put white noise on repeat to keep my brain focused! Try “Flight to Amsterdam” for a couple hours and see if you like it!
Are you a PJ worker too? One of the perks of being your own boss is wearing sweatpants all day long if you want (I’m way too guilty of this)! But, sometimes real clothes can make a difference. If I feel unmotivated or brain dead to face the day — I’ll be sure to do a whole routine of “getting ready” even if I’m staying home the entire day.
These are just a few ways to switch up your routine — that can be a huge way to get the creative juices flowing again!
II. BRAIN DUMP —
This is a HUGE step to getting my brain back into a creative groove! Whether you grab a journal, pull up a blank word doc. or notes on your phone, or even use a piece of scrap paper — do a brain dump! Simply give yourself space to just write down ideas or thoughts. Sometimes our biggest road blocks are because we just don’t give ourselves the time or space to get those thoughts and ideas out of our head and process them.
It may seem like you grab that pen or put your fingers to the keyboard and NOTHING happens, but give it a minute. Just start writing down things you want to do, things your frustrated with, things you love that you’ve been doing, or whatever else flows into your mind.
I think you’ll surprise yourself with what comes out — think limitlessly!
III. SHOOT SOMEWHERE NEW + TRY NEW THINGS—
For all you photographers — shoot somewhere new or in a new setting that challenges you! This might sound obvious, but I know how easy it is to pick the “safer” option: always choosing the same locations you’re used to, planning shoots at the same time of day because it’s easy, or rescheduling shoots because the weather isn’t exactly what you wanted. Yes, sometimes these are valid things you have to roll with — but SOMETIMES, you have the creative (key word) power to choose something that pushes you out of your comfort zone.
For a long time, harsh light TERRIFIED ME! But, one shoot I decided to place my couple in a bright patch of light, something I would normally NEVER do (hello, always looking for those shady spots, amiright?!?!?!). Well, this decision changed the way I shoot forever! I’ve now found a love for the harsh light, it’s a fun and creative thing for me! I enjoy the way I can play with light because I overcame that fear. It’s given me a whole new realm of creative freedom… it made me excited to shoot in new ways!
Some other ideas…
Add elements to your composition: shoot with prisms, shoot through other objects, do more wide shots or close up shots, etc.
Try new equipment, shoot with new lenses, challenge yourself in that way. You can RENT gear super cheap to try it out!
Explore! GO somewhere new! Don’t be afraid to drive a couple extra hours to experience a new landscape or city scape! Shoot indoor and outdoor — whatever is “irregular” for you — do that!
Try new angles, really thing about the way your shooting and push yourself to do new things
IV. TRY A NEW MEDIUM —
I’ve always considered myself first and foremost an artist, so feeling creative is incredibly important to me! If I ever feel stuck and in an “out of ideas” state of mind, I try and create in a new medium. For me, I’ve always loved to mix words into my making process, so lettering and painting feel rejuvenating for me!
I love grabbing a glass of wine in the evening, playing some moody music, and just make with no intent or expectation on myself. This is a way I creatively feel refreshed.
So, try making in a new way too!
V. PLAN A STYLED SHOOT —
One of the biggest reminders I want to leave you with is: you have the control to change the space you’re! A huge way to take creative control and try something totally new is — a styled shoot! This is a blank slate for you to put a vision into action, no expectation or delivery stress. Collaborating with other creatives is such a fun way to experience something totally different!
So, take charge, reach out to others in your area and start dreaming up something! This will get all your creativity flowing again!
YOU
GOT
THIS
I these few ideas can give you a place to start in getting out of a creative rut! I know they have been life savers for me in creative drought season. Just remember, these feelings are not forever, you are capable of making beautiful and powerful things! Just keep trying and give yourself grace in the process!
