You know, one of the hardest things about being a creative person—whether you’re into photography or painting or writing—is motivation. Just getting started. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had every excuse in the book. I’m not feeling inspired. I don’t have the right gear. There’s no time. The light’s wrong. You name it.
But if I’m being honest, those are just that—excuses. Life’s busy, sure, and things pop up. But most of the time, it’s not that something is actively standing in the way. It’s just that the motivation isn’t there.
So let’s talk about how to get motivated. Because over the years, I’ve found a few tricks that really do help me get moving again. And maybe they’ll help you, too.
Deadlines Work—Even the Ones You Make Up
Now, if you’ve ever had to submit photos for a newspaper or a magazine, you know what I mean. You’ve got a deadline. Miss it, and you’re out. And that kind of pressure? It gets you moving, whether you’re in the mood or not.
But what about those personal projects—things you’re doing just for yourself? That’s where it gets tricky. I say, make your own deadlines. Give yourself a real due date, and treat it like someone’s waiting on the other end.
If you’re like me and you tend to blow off those self-imposed deadlines, then try giving them meaning. Enter a photo contest. Find a call for submissions. That gives you a real date to hit. Even unsolicited submissions to magazines—while they might not have an official deadline—you can set one for yourself based on seasonal themes or editorial cycles. The point is, put something on the calendar and stick to it.
Use Gear as a Reward, Not a Crutch
Let’s be clear—photography isn’t all about the gear. But let’s also be honest… new gear is fun. And sometimes it can give you just the push you need.
Here’s a little trick: set a rule. No new filters, lenses, or gadgets until you’ve created a certain number of finished images. Or set up a savings jar. For every quality photo you complete, toss in five bucks toward something you’ve been eyeing.
Just don’t cheat yourself. The goal here isn’t to rush out a batch of half-hearted work just to justify buying something. Hold yourself to your usual standards. Make the reward meaningful.
Let Go of Perfectionism
Oh, this one hits close to home. I can’t even count how many times I’ve put off shooting because I was worried it wouldn’t be perfect. The weather wouldn’t cooperate. I’d forget some setting. Or I’d blow the editing later. That fear, that need to get everything just right, can really get in the way.
So here’s what I’ve learned: you’ve got to push through that. Just go. Shoot. Do your best. And let the perfectionism take a back seat. Because otherwise, you’ll find yourself choosing Netflix over photography—again and again.
Learn Something New
Sometimes the motivation is missing because we’re bored. We’ve done the same kind of shot, the same locations, the same subjects—and the creative energy just dries up.
That’s the perfect time to learn something new. Maybe it’s macro work, or off-camera flash, or long exposure. Find something that’s different from what you normally do and dive in. As you learn, you’ll start experimenting again. And the next thing you know, you’re building a new portfolio without even trying that hard.
Meet Some New People
Now, I’m not telling you to ditch your old friends—but there’s something refreshing about stepping into a new group, especially one that shares your passion.
Join a local photo club. Take a workshop. Go to a meetup or an art event. Just being around other photographers, seeing what they’re creating, hearing how they think—it’s energizing. And who knows? You might come home with some new ideas and a renewed sense of excitement.
Look, motivation comes and goes. That’s just how it is. But with a few little nudges—some deadlines, some new skills, maybe even a small gear goal—you can help yourself get back into the rhythm of making art.
Try one or two of these. You never know which one will be the spark that gets you going again.
