5 New Year’s Resolutions for Budding Photographers
Whether you can’t face January 1st without a resolution, or tend to think they’re a waste of time, there’s certainly something to be said for embracing a new challenge or mindset when it comes to photography.
Photography is a creative skill and, to master it, you’ve got to continually practice seeing the world from a different perspective, and finding beauty and intrigue in the unlikeliest of places. What better way to start perfecting that skill than with a new, fresh set of resolutions for 2023? Here are our top picks. The best part? None of them require any expensive tech or new equipment.
1. Get your photos printed professionally on a regular basis
Something amazing happens when you see your work printed out, rather than confined to a small screen. It can turn a hobby into a passion, and really help you to see the beauty and value your work holds. It completes the cycle of creating and appreciating, and really allows you to see how your skills are developing.
Still, there’s a big difference between professional printing using high quality materials, and an at-home print job, but you don’t need to wait until you reach a certain milestone or skill level before you go for it. You can use our photo book maker to create photobooks straight from Instagram and Facebook, and start curating a long line of high-quality books that showcase your talent, your passions, and your favourite subjects.
2. Organise as you go
If you’ve let your camera roll fill up with thousands of snaps without ever once organising them into separate albums, then please stand up. (We’re imagining most of you standing up right now).
Albums are an underutilised feature on our smartphones. They’re perfect for making sure that, whatever you’re looking for – whether it’s that photo you took of your brunch sometime last spring (or was it summer?) or that specific meme your friend sent you over text five years ago – you can find it without going through every photo you’ve ever taken or downloaded.
Make more of them. Organise your photos into the relevant albums as and when you take them. Create one for Selfies, one for every trip you take – one for each seasonal holiday, one for your pets (or each pet), and for any other person, place, or thing that means a lot to you. It’ll change your life.
If you’ve got an iPhone, then this guide is great for getting you started with albums and folders.
3. Always have a photo in a competition
When we say there are a lot of photo competitions out there, we mean it. From the very local to the global, there are so many ways you can get your very best photos the attention and exposure they deserve.
It doesn’t have to be a big, flashy competition – just something that reminds you the merit your pictures hold, and what you have to offer the world as a photographer. It’s a great way to get you feeling inspired to hone your craft even more and, if you manage to snag a win here and there, even better!
You don’t have to win a competition for it to be worth your while. They’re a great way to be introduced to people who share your hobby, and to get the wind in your sails.
4. Try a bit of everything
While being an expert of any craft is a great feeling, there’s plenty to be said for being a beginner with a lot of learning ahead. For one thing, you don’t have to feel pigeonholed by your own style; instead, you can try a little of everything, experimenting with landscapes then portraits then still life then animal photography.
That’s not to say that, once you’re an accomplished photographer, you can’t branch out and enjoy different styles and subjects – but that, while you’re still finding yourself, the world really is at your feet.
It’s never too late to get into photography, so embrace as much of it as possible until you find your unique style.
5. Find something worth photographing everyday
There are challenges you can sign yourself up to, which will make sure that you keep on top of your goals – but you don’t need to put your name down for anything if you don’t want to. These challenges should be fun, and not feel like obligations.
Finding something to photograph everyday won’t always be easy, but it is a great way to sneak some extra mindfulness into your day. Looking for beauty and inspiration during the humdrum routine means seeing beyond what is obvious and, instead, embracing creativity even if you wouldn’t normally feel creative.
It doesn’t have to be a rule. Just enjoy working out your creative muscle, and looking for a worthy subject for 365 days in a row.
