You can buy copies of the prints that illustrate this article here : https://electrocroissant.art/en/art-prints/.

The first mistake to avoid

I think the first mistake that is often made about this subject is, when starting out, to immediately say to yourself: I want to do this style of photography.

While you may already have strong artistic tastes, in most cases, imposing a style on yourself is not the right approach if you want to develop your own unique photographic language.

Indeed, to find your style, it is essential to be able to think outside the box, not simply apply preconceived patterns.

How did I find my photographic style?

I will use my own example and explain how I came to find my photographic style.

An iterative process

1. Photograph without ulterior motives

When I started taking photographs, I didn’t think I was going to do a particular style of photography. I simply went out with my camera and photographed whatever caught my eye.

2. Then take notes

Find what interests me

Upon returning home, I sorted through the photos, isolating those that interested me. Then I delved deeper, analyzing these images and reflecting on them:

Why does this image interest me? What recurring themes appear in my images (subject, composition, colors, etc.)? Is this a subject I want to explore further? etc.

By answering these questions, I gradually discovered the subjects that interested me and that I wanted to explore in more depth.

Making decisions to create one’s own photographic language

Once you have an idea of ​​what you want to express, you can answer this question:

What do I need to do to improve? To best express what I want to express through my photographs?

Indeed, just as a writer searches for vocabulary related to their subject, the right level of language, or text structure, a photographer must also find ways to express his vision as precisely as possible.

And in photography, as in literature, there are many parameters that can be adjusted: choosing the distance from the subject, the colors, the contrast, the equipment used for shooting, and so on.

You have to look for and try new ideas for photographing and editing your photos and then implement them one by one.

3. Do it again

I repeated these two steps many times before arriving at what I consider my own photographic style.

In my case, at each iteration, what I wanted to do became clearer. I gradually found my photographic style: working with monochrome film (equipment), photographing nature, landscapes (subjects), etc.

A long-term approach

A photographic style is therefore often the sum of many small decisions and personal choices (conscious or unconscious) made by the photographer. It doesn’t happen overnight.

Finding your photographic style requires consistency and perseverance.

More than four years after starting my photographic journey, I continue to use this iterative process: there are and always will be areas for improvement and changes to make.

Keeping an open mind

Trying new things and questioning yourself is what will make your work unique and truly reflect who you are in the long run.

While big changes can be counterproductive, they are sometimes necessary because what interests you can change over time.

There’s nothing wrong with not having a photographic style

Developing a personal photographic style is a long and difficult process, especially at the beginning and during periods of creative stagnation, when it’s hard to define what you want to do.

It’s perfectly normal to lose motivation or simply not want to put in the effort.

And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with not having a photographic style. You can enjoy photographing without having that goal.