Where do I find inspiration ?

It’s been over seven years since the day I photographed my very first wedding.  With hundreds of weddings under my belt now, things start to appear repetitive. So how do I stay fresh?

Outside of wedding photography, I collaborate with models and makeup artist on various personal projects . Commonly known as Time-for-prints (TFP), these  projects allow me to experiment without the consequences of failure in an otherwise paid job.

It may seem daunting at first to put together all the logistics. But the result is worth the effort, not to mention subsequent photoshoots will be easier. There are a few ways to get the ball rolling – emulating other people’s work with my own interpretation, building a theme around a piece of amazing clothing or prop, or simply let my imagination runs wild.

Take this photo titled "Sewer Fishing" for example, the inspiration came from my childhood experiences when I caught tadpoles from the drain. The challenging thing in this shoot is crowd control. Luckily I had an assistant who helped directing the people while I concentrate on the shoot.

I also volunteer to teach portraiture lighting at a local camera club. I find that being able to impart my knowledge gives me satisfaction. Talking to my fellow photographers also generates fresh ideas and keeps me up to date in technology development. 

Sometimes I also go on road trips. By far the most frequented one is the Great Ocean Road. Visiting the same place at different time of the year bring fresh perspective to me. Usually I will also take this opportunity to location scout.

Fellow artists, I want to hear from you! So how do you let your creative juices flow? Leave a comment below!