Following A Creative Spark...And Making It Reality.
My journey as a photographer is filled with moments of inspiration. A little thought pops into my head and I think: “Ooh, that would make a great shot.”
I’ve always believed that those sparks are meant to be explored and are there for a reason. The question is - how do we transform them from ideas into actual photographs. For the type of images I create, I cannot do this alone. I need models and collaborators - partners in crime:)
In this blog, I will share some insights on how to nurture your creative sparks, and the importance of collaboration. I will also reference my recent project, "Emotive Hair," as an example of these principles in action. You can see the Emotive Hair story here.
Embracing Creative Sparks
Creative sparks are those moments of sudden inspiration that fire up our imagination. They can come from anywhere—a conversation, a film, an observation, or even a dream. The key is to recognise these sparks and give them the attention they deserve.
In my recent project, "Emotive Hair," the idea was born from my fascination with the connection between hair and human emotion. I found myself observing that you can often get a sense for the way someone is feeling by looking at their hairstyle.
1.Capture the Idea: Write down your ideas as soon as they strike. These initial thoughts may seem fragmented but can serve as the foundation for future projects.
2.Research and Develop: Once you have an idea, start to research it. Look for similar works, gather references, (I love Pinterest for this) and try to expand the visual framework of the concept. For "Emotive Hair," we discovered Paul Ekman's research about the 4 core human emotions. This gave me the idea to concentrate on these. A series of 4 images also works well - and can be shot in one day.
3.Create a Mood Board: Visualising your ideas through images, can help clarify your vision and serve as a reference throughout the project. For "Emotive Hair," mood boards of hair styles, and also the lighting and feel I was looking for in the shots, were essential when developing our approach.
The Power of Collaboration
Collaboration is an essential aspect of bringing creative projects to life. Working with other creatives not only enhances your work but also brings fresh perspectives and skills to the table.
When I thought of the idea for "Emotive Hair", I mentioned it to hairstylist Laura Chadwick. She immediately liked the idea and bounced back hairstyle ideas. I knew then she was a good starting point for the project and liked what she shared.
1.Finding the Right Collaborators: Look for individuals who share your vision and passion. Their expertise should complement your own, creating a harmonious working relationship. Laura and I connected over Instagram, and her enthusiasm for the project was contagious. She also recommended Czar, our makeup artist for these shoot. Czar was immediately excited too, and started to contribute with ideas.
2.Clear Communication: From the initial discussions to the final execution, maintaining clear and open communication is crucial. Ensure everyone understands the project’s goals, their roles, and expectations. We had many rounds of emails, I created a shoot plan with mood boards and references for each shot. We also a final zoom meeting to run through all aspects of the shoot and discuss ideas.
3.Respect and Flexibility: While it's important to stay true to your vision, be open to suggestions and flexible enough to adapt when needed. Respect your collaborators’ input and value their contributions. But you do need to keep your own vision on track! Don’t get distracted by someone else’s passion for a different direction. This can happen.
Developing Your Own Voice
As a photographer, developing your unique voice is vital. Realisation of your ideas builds this voice. It trains your creative muscle and experience of making your vision real will teach you so much about communication, planning & attention to detail.
1.Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and techniques, especially in the early days. Through trial and error, you will discover what resonates with you and what doesn’t. This will help you hone your own unique style. For emotive hair I decided to create gifs from each look as well as stills. I like the way the gifs bring the emotion to life.
2.Reflection: Regularly reflect on your work. What stories are you telling? How do your images make you feel? This self-awareness will guide you in refining your voice. When I look at my own work I can now see themes that run though most of it: Women, confidence, diversity..and I hope they often tell a story of some kind.
3.Consistently creating: Like any other skill, developing your voice requires consistent practice. Keep shooting, keep creating, and over time, your unique style will emerge and you will look back and not believe how many far your folio has come. I try to set myself a goal to do a personal shoot every 6 months.
Embracing Fearlessness and Learning from Failure
Fear of failure can be a significant barrier to creativity. However, it is essential to embrace failure and step out of your comfort zone as a creative.
1.Everything has been done before: Do it your way.I often hear people saying that it’s been done before, I can’t come up with any new ideas, I don’t know how to create anything original. I would encourage you now to worry about this. If you have a vision - go with it. Who cares what’s been done before. Do it your way. Your way will always be different from what has been before.
2.View failure as a learning opportunity rather than a set back: Each mistake teaches you something valuable and brings you closer to success. During the "Emotive Hair" project, there were challenges, but each one provided valuable lessons.
3.Take Risks: Don’t shy away from taking risks in your creative endeavours. I am always hearing - “oh you can’t do that” on set. There is always someone willing to wade in with resistance - whether it’s because I’m asking someone to jump over a wall, or stand in a pool, climb up a ladder. Obviously don’t put people in danger - but don’t be too careful. Careful never got anyone anywhere very interesting. Commit, be brave, explore.
4.Resilience: Developing resilience is crucial. Not every project will be successful, but each experience adds to your growth as an artist. I have had some wapping failures when it comes to personal shoot. Those are probably the ones I have learnt the most from - what not do to can be a very valuable lesson. The embarrassment is real though - but you will learn to laugh at it later on. It’s like when you fall over in the middle of the street - everyone is watching. On your personal shoot - all your collaborators are watching. Styleit out, bring some humour, keep it light, take a break. We are all human.
Conclusion
The creative journey is filled with sparks of inspiration, collaborative efforts, personal growth, and moments of failure. Embracing this journey with an open heart and a fearless mindset can lead to incredible outcomes.
It did not take long for "Emotive Hair” to be published. Creative Head Magazine decided to run it and also interview myself and Laura. This is great PR. And the images are now our in the world doing their thing. Maybe it will lead to a job or two...who knows. What I do know is that I thoroughly enjoyed creating the images.
Always remember, the excitement lies in the process itself, and every step, whether a triumph or a failure, is a valuable part of your growth as an image maker
Go create :)
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