That Photo You Didn't Take: How to Beat Procrastination
If you're a photographer, you know the feeling. That perfect golden hour light is happening right now. Your camera's ready to go. You know you should get out there. You even want to!
But... life gets in the way. An email pops up, the dishes are calling your name, or let's be honest, the sofa just looks way too comfy. Next thing you know, the perfect light is gone, and your camera bag is still sitting by the door, judging you just a little bit.
Trust me, I get it. I love getting out there and taking photos, but it's so easy to get stuck in the day-to-day grind. It’s not about being lazy! It's usually about pressure. The pressure to get that "perfect" shot every single time, or the fear that you won't find anything cool to shoot anyway.
If this sounds like you, you're definitely not alone. The secret isn't waiting for some magical burst of inspiration. It's all about building a few easy habits to get you out the door. Here are a couple of tricks that have really helped me.
1. The 10-Minute Rule
Seriously, this is the best trick in the book. Just promise yourself you'll go out for 10 minutes. That's it! You don't have to go far—the end of your street is perfect. The goal isn't to shoot a masterpiece, it's just to start. You'll be surprised how often those 10 minutes turn into 30, or even a full hour once you get going!
2. Give Yourself a Fun, Easy Mission
Feeling paralyzed by the "what should I even shoot?" question? Give yourself a simple, no-pressure mission. It can be anything, like:
"Today, I'm only taking pictures of blue things."
"Find three cool shadows on my walk."
"Take five shots with my lens wide open."
This turns it into a fun little game instead of a big, scary task. It helps you focus and see the world around you a bit differently.
3. Just Scout, Don't Shoot
Take the pressure off completely! Tell yourself you're not even going out to take photos. You're just scouting for later. Take your phone, look for cool spots, see how the light looks. If you happen to take a few pictures with your camera, great! But that's just a bonus. No pressure to "perform."
4. Get a "Go-Bag" Ready
Don't let a 15-minute search for a memory card kill your motivation. Keep a small bag with the basics ready to go at all times. Maybe it's just your camera and one lens. That way, when you feel a little spark of inspiration (or decide to try the 10-minute rule), you can just grab it and head out the door. Easy!
5. It's All Just Practice
Remember, not every photo needs to be a work of art. Just using your camera—playing with settings, framing shots, trying new things—is practice. You're building skills! All those "boring" photos are the stepping stones to your amazing ones.
There are so many awesome moments out there just waiting for you. Don't let procrastination win. Start small, keep it fun, and get back to creating. That next great photo is waiting for you!
