As we step into the promising and vibrant year of 2025, it presents a perfect opportunity to reflect on our past experiences by setting meaningful goals and exciting challenges for ourselves. Take a moment to pull out your collection of 2024 images and thoroughly review them, allowing the memories and lessons they hold to inspire your new aspirations.
Focus on selecting specific projects that can effectively help motivate you and provide steady momentum throughout the year ahead.
Challenge yourself by exploring and learning new techniques in Lightroom and Photoshop to enhance your photographic editing skills.
Consider engaging in a weekly or monthly challenge: explore night photography, experiment with various aspects of portraiture, or creatively capture the enchanting changes of the seasons. Locate a still object in an outdoor setting, such as a bridge, a tree, or a building, and take a comprehensive series of photos showcasing it from seasons or monthly. Additionally, experiment with aerial photography techniques to capture a unique perspective of the object and its surroundings. This will allow you to explore different visual possibilities and enhance your photographic skills.
Each innovative technique you master not only broadens your skill set but also significantly expands your photography toolbox.
I set specific goals and challenges every year. What do I truly want to focus on and work on? Where exactly do I want to see improvement in my skills and abilities? What specific changes do I need to implement in my approach to get there effectively? How hard do I genuinely want to push myself to achieve the meaningful goals I desire?
How well do you truly know your equipment, or are you finding yourself becoming stuck in a creative rut? It's a good idea to take the time needed to revisit and thoroughly explore your camera, lighting tools, and other essential equipment. This exploration can open up new possibilities and enhance your photography experience significantly.
Discover and develop your unique photographic style. Explore the diverse styles of other photographers and consider incorporating elements of their techniques into your own artistic approach. However, remember to never simply imitate their work; instead, take the time to analyze their methods and understand what makes their style effective. Enroll in various workshops to gain new skills and insights, and seamlessly blend what you learn with the techniques and styles you have already cultivated.
Photography should never feel like a chore or a burdensome task. Instead, make it an enjoyable experience that brings you joy and satisfaction. Embrace your creativity and carve out a designated time in your schedule to practice and experiment with different techniques. This dedicated time will help you to explore your craft and truly enjoy what you are passionate about. Consider making plans to go on a photography walk with fellow photographer friends, exchanging ideas and inspirations along the way. Additionally, joining a camera club can provide you with opportunities to try out different genres and broaden your skill set.
Something we all struggle with is receiving critiques of our work. It can be challenging to remain open to the opinions of others and to truly take in what they are trying to suggest. Learning to accept feedback gracefully is indeed a difficult skill to cultivate, but one that is incredibly valuable for growth. Many photography camera clubs often feature individuals who provide constructive and insightful feedback on various aspects of photography, which can be a great resource for improvement and development.
This year, I plan on diligently writing down my specific goals for personal improvements and growth. I want to identify not only where I hope to expand my skills but also the habits that I often find myself falling into, which I wish to change for the better. I’m consistently very hard on myself and have a tendency to overthink every little detail. Therefore, I need to be much more uplifting and encouraging toward myself.
One item on my list will be to concentrate on various YouTube videos that I aspire to create and release this year. I will make a note in my book labeled “YouTube,” and beneath that heading, I will list the different video ideas that I am excited to work on. The next section will focus on Lightroom and include everything I want to learn or revisit in that area. Photoshop will be another important topic to add to my list, along with various other subjects that pique my interest.
I encourage you to find yourself a dedicated book to write in and begin crafting a list of goals and challenges you wish to tackle in 2025.
Once you feel confident in the body of your work, take the initiative to reach out to some galleries or venues where you'd like to display your art. Many local camera clubs organize various competitions throughout the year, providing you with valuable opportunities to participate and showcase your talent. Additionally, you will have the chance to enter prestigious competitions such as those hosted by CAPA (Canadian Association for Photographic Arts), which can further enhance your visibility and recognition as a photographer.
The International Photography Awards conducts an annual competition for professional, amateur, and student photographers on a global scale, creating one of the most ambitious and comprehensive photo competitions in the photography world today.
The International Award Honoring Black & White Photography. Black and White Spider Awards is open to professional and amateur photographers shooting in all forms of black and white photography.
The Portrait Masters Awards is another. These are just a few that are out there.
I found that entering in a competition significantly helped me grow and develop my skills in ways I had not anticipated.
In your journal book, take some time to write down various competition groups that you can find, which you might be interested in joining. Additionally, make a note of the different workshops and events that you would like to attend, along with their corresponding dates. Be sure to consider that some workshops may be local to your area, while others could be located overseas, providing you with a range of opportunities for growth and learning. Consider reaching out to various local and online camera groups to discover the ones that align with your interests and that you would enjoy joining. The world is truly your oyster, presenting you with endless possibilities and opportunities to explore and cherish.
Creative blocks are entirely natural and part of the artistic journey, but remember, they don't have to derail your progress in any way. Here are some valuable resources to help you get back on track and reignite your passion.
Maintain a collection of inspiring images that resonate with you and spark your creativity. List interesting locations to photograph, which can serve as motivation for your next outing. Review your journal for creative ideas you may have forgotten about; this could uncover gems that inspire new projects. Follow respected photography blogs and YouTube channels to gain fresh perspectives and insights. Join a local camera club where you can connect with fellow photographers and share experiences. Attend photography classes and events to learn new techniques and meet like-minded individuals. Your camera is a powerful tool for capturing your unique view of the world around you.
Make this the year you fully embrace that potential and explore the art of photography. Focus on consistent progress rather than striving for perfection. Let 2025 be the year you push not only your creative and technical boundaries but also develop and refine your unique photographic voice!
One last piece of advice; make sure to find someone who truly shares your passion, someone you can comfortably talk to. This person should be someone you can reach out to when you find yourself feeling stuck in a rut or have fallen behind in achieving your goals. Having that supportive connection can make a significant difference in your journey.
