As human beings, we often want to find meaning in things around us. Why does the apple fall straight? Why is the sky so blue? Why is purple not really a color? While these questions are certainly a great way to understand your world, there is another world you are neglecting: your emotions and feelings. Photographers are creative beings who need to look for meaning in their photographer to find something deeper than what the moment showcases. Many of us have been guilty of this, including me. However, this year, I want you to stop looking outward and take a moment to understand your emotions and feelings. How so? Let me share more.
We recently spoke about how photographers must maintain a diary this year, which can be very helpful in their careers. Today, we bring you another method to help you on your journey as a creative. This year, you should ask yourself a few questions whose answers will bring perspective to your work and profession. These questions focus on your long-term goals so that you can easily carve a path you have always dreamt of. What these questions could be? Don’t worry, we have listed down a few for you:
- What do I want my photography career to be like in a year’s time?
- How many hours will I invest in photography? How do I continue protecting that time?
- What ambitions or goals have I ignored in my career because they appear scary, challenging, or out of my comfort zone?
- Am I resisting any critique of my work that challenges me?
- How have I been managing my finances for my career?
- Do I really need that new, hyped-up equipment for my journey?
- Which opportunities I missed the previous year?
- Have I hurt my relationship with collectors, galleries, and the community?
- Am I spending more energy on social media than needed? Is it slowing down my progress?
- Am I taking care of my physical and mental well-being for my career?
- Which bad habits I have recently developed that are hindering my progress?
- Am I lacking in any technical knowledge or skill in recent years?
- Am I clear about my intentions of being a photographer?
- What milestone must I achieve this year to feel professionally happy?
- Am I giving my family enough time while balancing my profession?
- What else can I do if photography is not working out for me?
These 16 questions are not easy to answer, especially if you are someone who recently began their career. In fact, sometimes, even the most seasoned photographers tend to lose direction, and that’s where refocusing on what matters is of utmost importance. These questions are basic and can be asked yourself or sent to a friend who is a photographer. In fact, if you feel like you can add more to the list based on your experiences, please do so.
The idea of such an exercise is to recalculate our journey and see if we are on the path we intended to be. Sometimes, when we are busy with projects, we neglect one thing or the other. This includes our family, our mental health, and even our will to create. Photography does not have to buy into the hustle culture that many capitalist corporations have made mandatory. Furthermore, answering these questions will take some time, which is okay. But give yourself a deadline so that you don’t procrastinate. The more you delay facing yourself, the more later you are likely to achieve your vision.
