1. Change up the scene. Even if you tend to shoot the same little subjects when you shoot, change up the wardrobe, the setting or the theme. For instance, put aside the long flowing gowns and flower wreaths, and have a “tomboy” themed shoot instead.
2. Shoot a totally different genre or challenge yourself to use only one lens, or use a lens you don’t utilize often. Here I took a break from my typical portraiture and had a refreshing afternoon doing street photography with a Lensbaby lens.
3. Get inspired! Get out your children’s books, peruse Pinterest, search your house for something that inspires you, and design a themed photo shoot. Making a theme come alive in pictures can be and amazing and invigorating exercise.
4. Collaborate with friends. It’s so motivating to have a friend from whom you can draw inspiration, enthusiasm, and very possibly a different perspective from other photographers. Even better, bringing your kids and other children for them to play with, can be a good opportunity to capture some real personality and connection in your photos as well (and maybe even a little cooperation! Your kids always tend to do better with other people!)
5. Go for a different perspective! Shoot shadows and reflections, use haze on purpose, or try a more lifestyle, unposed picture than you are used to. Make sure to shoot for FUN, especially if you are busy with clients. Shooting more doesn’t seem like a cure for being burned out with shooting, but it IS when you go out and shoot for YOU. Remind yourself what made you love photography in the first place, and re-discover those roots.
6. Teach yourself something new! It’s so important to continue learning and growing, so give yourself challenges and assignments. Learn new Photoshop techniques on YouTube, play with off-camera flash, try different wide-angle techniques, or try shooting at a different f/stop from your norm. It never, never, never hurts to add more tricks to your arsenal!
Sally Kate is a natural light portrait photographer and mentor, located in Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas. A devoted mom of five children, and wife of 17 years, Sally strives to blend classical, styled portraiture with authentic emotion and expression, always in fabulous light.
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