Style and Vision

Achieving competence in photography is easy enough; with some basic technical understanding, almost anybody can create a good photograph. In the age of digital photography and smartphones, this is truer than ever. However, this ease of accessibility also makes photography one of the most difficult art forms in terms of developing a signature style and clear personal vision.

Style and vision are personal: reflections of our unique expression of the world and how we wish to convey this to the viewer. Copying a favourite photographer’s style—using the same locations and the same approach—does not constitute a personal vision. Creating an original body of work—one that is consistent with one’s own vision and stands out from that of other photographers—is the most difficult challenge facing any photographer.

Style emerges from the choices we make or the tools we use to express our vision, giving our work consistency when viewed as a collection. Style should not be static; It should evolve as you grow as a photographer and as a person, your expression informed by new technical expertise and inspiration.

Vision refers to how we see the world and the message we wish to express through all our images. Our artistic vision is the message we strive to express through our photography. Vision could consider it the “holy grail” of photography—a goal we continue to seek throughout our entire journey as a photographer. It is a reflection of how you see the world, vision will evolve naturally over time, shaped by your own personal growth and experience. This evolution often takes place alongside stylistic evolution, as we learn and adapt our approach to the image-making process to fit our changing vision. In following your vision, your work may not always be understood or appreciated by your viewers but will guide you to create works that are original and meaningful.