Could be gear, software, batteries, straps, weather apps, hotel WiFi, client timelines… anything.
Every photographer seems to have at least one thing they learned not to trust the hard way 😄
I see a lot of advice telling new photographers to pick a niche right away.
But I’ve also seen people get stuck trying to define it too early.
Something I’ve been thinking about is treating a niche more like a direction than a fixed label.
From what I’ve seen, style and direction tend to show up after shooting a lot, not before.
So I’m curious how others experienced it.
Did you lock into a niche early, or did it evolve over time?
Was there a moment where things started to feel more like your own work?
Did experimenting across different types of shoots help, or slow you down?
After years in photography I’ve realized you can own $50,000 worth of equipment and still be defeated by a $2 connector.
I’m convinced every photographer has at least one story.
As Robin once said in Batman: The Animated Series:
“Always carry a spare.”
I’ve been thinking about this lately.
There’s a phase where photography is just pure enjoyment. You’re experimenting, shooting whatever you want, no pressure.
Then at some point, especially once you start getting paid, it shifts. Deadlines, expectations, client needs. It starts to feel different.
Not necessarily bad, just different.
For those who’ve been doing this a while, did that shift happen for you?
Did it affect your creativity at all?
Did you find a way to balance both sides?
Curious how others have handled that transition.