5 New Year's Resolution Ideas for Photographers

A new year is right around the corner, prompting everyone to start over and try something different in their lives. Even though New Year's resolutions aren't for everyone, having a few things to look forward to as a photographer may help you stay motivated. 

In this post, I'm going to share 5 photography-themed resolution ideas that could help you improve your work, grow your network, and find excitement in your life every single day. 

#1 Experiment With a New Genre Every Month 

Personally, I don't believe in stressing yourself out with massive to-do lists, but I do believe in the power of consistency. The new year is a great time to leave your comfort zone. Why not commit to experimenting with a new photography genre every month?

You can make a list in advance or go with the flow. Here's an example:

• January - portrait photography

• February - black & white photography

• March - street photography

• April - pet photography

...and the list goes on. Be as flexible as you like. Pursue genres that spark ideas! 

No matter which route you choose, you'll have plenty of refreshing photo opportunities every month. Instead of aiming for perfection or mastery, aim for enjoyment and new knowledge. A different genre can refresh you and provide you with invaluable photography skills. 

#2 Find Inspiration in Mentorship 

Since you're a part of Photo Masters, you know the power of photography communities. Being a part of a group, whether online or offline, can boost motivation and help you find purpose every day. 

You can take it further by finding a mentor or being a mentor. This could be an amazing source of motivation in the upcoming year!

If you need guidance, find a photographer who can help you improve by:

• Answering your questions

• Guiding you during photoshoots 

• Providing you with one-on-one sessions online

• Introducing you to editing techniques

Alternatively, mentoring a photographer could help you strengthen your knowledge, inspire someone else, and maybe earn some money. (As a bonus, teaching can open your eyes and help you discover new things about yourself as a photographer.)

#3 Ask Questions Regularly 

"Don't be afraid to ask questions" is the most common advice I received as a beginner. At first, I was too shy to ask about things like "bokeh" (I didn't even know what it was called!) and "composition", so I experimented on my own. 

Problem-solving is a great skill to have, but too much independence can make you feel isolated or frustrated. It's okay to do research on your own, but it's also okay to ask questions. 

Why not make "ask more photography questions" a new resolution? Ask your favourite photographers questions. Be curious in online communities like this. Get creative and push your boundaries by pursuing knowledge consistently. 

#4 Commit to Taking Personal Photos Weekly or Monthly

If you're a full-time photographer, you might be busy making a living by working with clients. If you're a hobbyist, you may have another job or responsibility that takes up a lot of your time. 

Because of all these things, it can be difficult to commit to personal photography projects. By "personal", I mean the kind of photography that you do for yourself. Maybe it's the kind of work that you don't even share online. To put it simply, anything that gives you joy!

Instead of committing to daily photoshoots, which is unrealistic for many, why not commit to taking personal photos every week or every month? Goals like this can be a sustainable alternative, and they can also give you something to look forward to in your busy life. 

#5 Spend Quality Time With Your Photography

As Alex Benetel wisely said in our Photo Masters interview, "Not everything you create or take has to be published for everyone to see. Allowing yourself to breathe and ignoring the pressure helps." 

It's easy to be hypnotised by social media. What will people think of my work? Will I get enough likes?

Even if you're not active on social media platforms, you might still feel pressured to take high-quality photographs for your portfolio. In the age of information overload, it's important to take a step back and spend quality time with your photographs. 

Your photography is beautiful and worthy of attention, but you also deserve to feel comfortable and happy with what you produce. Why not make this one of your New Year's resolutions? 

Do you have any resolutions for the new year? If not, is there anything that you generally look forward to doing as a photographer? Let me know in the comments.