It happens to the best of us. You just lose that spark, that passion you had to get out and take photos. Losing your photography mojo (or phojo) is not fun, but since you’ve managed to find the energy to at least come searching for a reason why I won’t blab on with too long an intro. Here’s some tips to get you back out there.

*N.B. The Featured photo is of my son taken on my iPhone… I figured his face was a good representation of those who have lost their phojo.

How to get back your photography mojo

1. Use a prime

Sometimes the convenience of using a zoom can make us a little lazy when it comes to thinking about a shot. I like to think of zooms as the motorways of photography. They are great for getting you from A to B quickly, but you’re not as focused as you might be when you’re driving through city streets.
Same principle goes for zooms and primes. Don’t get me wrong you can take beautiful photos with either, but using a prime forces you to think about what you want to frame in to your composition and also be aware of where your standing in order to compose the photo the way you’d like.
If you don’t have a prime then set a focal length on your zoom and don’t change it for the whole day and I promise you’ll very quickly realise how much more you are thinking about your photography and how you approach each shot.

2. Street photography with a theme

Whether it be street portraits, lines, shadows, or lines and shadows it doesn’t matter, but having a theme can help you see things you wouldn’t usually see. Kind of like when you decided what car you were going to buy and then started seeing that particular model everywhere… Because I don’t know about you, but when I lose my ‘phojo’ I start to lose my ‘phosight’ with it and end up walking around pointlessly thinking how there is nothing worth photographing. Having a theme for your outing will make your brain see what you set out to photograph and also help you feel purpose in your photography (phosight is not actually a word… sorry it was the best I could come up with on the spot).

3. Take your camera everywhere

This rule is pretty much standard in a lot of photography improvement posts, but it really is the most important. You’re not going to capture the Unicorn if you don’t have your camera with you. Even if you don’t pull it out the whole time you’ll have it if that Unicorn happens to ride past.
The more you’re shooting the more you improve and there’s no phojo motivation like looking at a set of impressive images that you’ve just taken. It just makes you hunger to get out there more.

4. Head for the hills

Go bush and find some waterfalls, or wildlife and if you’re not near the bush go to the zoo. Find a place where you’re guaranteed some interesting photos. Not only does it help find your missing phojo, but it’s good exercise too.
Even better if you’re not a landscape, or wildlife photographer, as it will teach you to use your camera and lenses in a different way. Routine can be a photographers worst enemy. If you’re getting bored then the chances are you’re slowly losing your phojo also.

5. Meet up with other photographers

This may not be the same for everyone, but nothing gets me more excited about getting back out there like talking shop with other photography lovers. Whether it be talking creative or talking gear, surrounding yourself with enthusiastic photographers is a winner in my books.

6. Listen to podcasts

This is kind of from the same thinking as meeting up with other photographers. If you have no photographer friends then find some podcasts to listen to. There are a lot of boring ones out there, but some of the good ones are a great help for phojo rediscovery.
Some of my faves are most of the ‘This Week in Photo’ (TWIP) podcasts, ‘Improve Photography’ is good too. If you’re looking for photography Business podcasts then’ PhotoBizX’ is a favourite and ‘The Sprouting Photographer’.

7. Have an excuse

Taking photos of your feet, dog, flowers in the garden, or partner can get boring quick… and let’s face it how many damn flower photos do you take when you’re starting out. I know I was guilty of it. I’d be happy to never take a damn flower photo again in my life. Go out damn it! Go to events, museums, fireworks whatever, but you’re not going to find your phojo sitting on your butt. Sorry… ranty motivational talk over.

8. Push through

This one is pretty important. Push through this tough time. Losing your phojo can be stifling and the more it takes hold the more motivation is lost to take the camera out. It’s a vicious circle that really can only be broken by pushing through. No matter how much you don’t feel like it, just take the camera with you when you walk out the door because if you don’t push through, it could just sit there collecting dust and you end up talking about photography as a hobby you used to have.

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