Finding Your Signature Style: A Reflection Journey for Photographers

Jun 27

Finding your photography style isn’t just about presets, colour palettes, or picking a niche. It’s about discovering the feeling you want your work to carry — the emotion, the energy, the story behind every frame.

For years, I chased “technically good” images. I learned the rules, upgraded the gear, perfected my lighting — and still felt like something was missing. My photos were solid, but they didn’t feel like me. It wasn’t until I kept banging my head against the same brick wall wondering why I just never felt like my website was “right”, my branding was never “right”… all of that was sending me signals that I wasn’t on the “right” track.

Now I did this exercise organically with my ChatGPT, while I was sitting and complaining that I couldn’t put my finger on what was wrong… and the conversation evolved naturally. But these are the questions that came out of that exercise, and I wanted to share them with you. I genuinely hope you find them as helpful as I did.

So this blog post is a reflection guide for photographers like me — like us — who are done chasing perfect and ready to create with more honesty and intention. Whether you’re just starting out or shifting your direction mid-journey, I hope these questions and prompts help you reconnect with the heart of your work… and find a style that feels like home.

1. Who Are You Behind the Lens?

(Identity + Intuition)

What draws you to photography in the first place?
What kinds of moments do you find yourself noticing that others miss?
If you had to describe your photography style without using photos, what words would you use?
What emotion do you want people to feel when they see your work?
Are you drawn more to stillness or movement? Precision or imperfection?
Do you chase perfection — or presence?

2. Your Photography Taste vs Your Work

(Clarity + Contrast)

Whose work are you jealous of (in a good way)? What specifically do you love about it?
What kinds of photos stop you mid-scroll? Why?
Look at your favourite 5 personal images — what do they have in common?
Are there any themes or feelings you keep coming back to, even unconsciously?
What do you dislike about your current portfolio or website? Why?

3. Style vs Editing vs Storytelling

(Creative Direction)

Are you trying to develop a style of editing or a style of seeing?
If you took away your presets or filters, would your work still feel like you?
Are you shooting for the algorithm… or for your soul?
What are 3 non-photography things that inspire you visually? (Books, movies, fabric, nature, etc.)
How do you want your photos to feel five years from now?

4. What Does Cohesion Look Like for You?

(Branding + Direction)

If your photography brand was a movie, what would its tone and aesthetic be?
What colours, textures, or moods feel like “home” to your style?
Is there a unifying thread between weddings, branding, and personal work — even if the visuals vary?
If your work were a sentence, what would it say?
What kind of clients do you want to attract? What do they feel when they see your work?