I started photography long ago when the YouTube photography community was in its infancy, and finding helpful information wasn’t as instantaneous as it is today. At that time, the Photoshop experience was more experimental, and Lightroom didn’t even exist. Today, there is essentially an endless supply of photography content. It’s almost effortless to be presented with multiple methods and how-to’s, numerous post-processing and editing styles, and techniques considered the “best” way of doing something and the “best” camera for it. Having that information readily available can be beneficial, but caution must be used as it can become overwhelming and confusing. What do you do?

Today’s scenario will be relatable for anyone interested in taking better photographs. You have visited portfolio websites, read books, blogs, tutorials, browsed Instagram and Threads, and more. You’ve probably witnessed trends come quickly and go just as fast from overuse. You’ve seen some of your favourite photographers change as well. And over the years, your interests and approaches have likely changed, too, and they continue to evolve.

Photography that connects with you inspires you and is a wonderful way to continue improving as a photographer. Knowing how a photograph is captured and what inspired the photographer to do so can help you develop a style of your own. We are all inspired by others, and studying their work can help you understand and appreciate the photographer and how they approach their work. It’s not just what they photograph; it’s how and why they do it.

There are many photographers I would consider inspiration for my work in genres closely related to what I photograph most: automotive, travel, and street. However, some photographers I have followed for many years are unrelated to those primary subjects and cover a range of subjects, including portrait, food, aerial, and others. They inspire me with the colours they use, their particular vision, or their technical knowledge and teaching ability. These photographers have aided my development and influenced my style, regardless of their subject matter. I have learned and built off of that collective information.

Inspiration can come from different aspects of life. It’s not limited to photography. The actions and influences of our everyday lives are a factor in how we create. As we grow as people, we grow as creatives. If you look back on your early work, the evolution of your style can be studied. The subjects you used to be inspired by, your use of colour or monochrome and the techniques used in post-processing. The further back you go, the more evident your development should be. And your life from those early times to today has influenced your growth.

Hopefully, you will look back and be proud of that growth, what you used to do and how you did it, the mistakes you’ve made, and the challenges you have worked through. Styles change; years from now, you may look back on today’s work with similar sentiments. It’s part of a continual evolution in expression and art.

The ones that inspire us are the ones that shape us. We will never be the ones who inspire us, but we build upon what we have learned from them and what we connect with most.