finding sources of inspiration

Some tips on how to stay motivated on finding sources of inspiration.

Finding inspiration can be hard. Especially when we're in our funks (re: my winter rut post). But I don't want to discuss the challenges, instead, I want to focus on the positives, and discuss where I do find motivation. When you get lost in the internet scroll, it's truly not that hard...

1. Pinterest

Honestly, Pinterest isn't for middle aged women pinning recipes (though that sounds great too). Pinterest has become one of my major sources of inspiration and I love it because you can create your own boards for just about anything. Base them off of mood, color schemes, ideas, future photoshoot ideas, content creation...once you get a basis of good boards, the possibilities are endless, and it can truly provide insight on where your style is headed in a specific moment. My boards are in categories including fashion, inspiration, travel, and cafés. The amazing thing too is that once you start repinning images that have a certain aesthetic, Pinterest registers it and will start recommending posts that fit your style. I have secret mood boards created for certain shoots or bang-spiration, too. My Pinterest.

2. Magazines

If you enjoy more tangible inspiration, magazines and books can be your go-to. I have my own personal favorites (which you can read about here) because there is something to be said about admiring real photographs styled by, modeled by, and photographed by professionals in the industry. Don't look at these huge photoshoots as intimidating, instead focus on the minor details that have been incorporated that you can somehow utilize in your own photos. Perhaps it is a certain styling technique, or a way of words, or the photograph's angle. Cut out images, create a physical mood board, and surround yourself by it so you can constantly be inspired by the photographs you love most.

3. Tumblr

Sort of like the same thing as Pinterest, except Tumblr's images are even more curated and creative. I find so many amazing poetry pieces, art works, and simple fashion inspiration because of the Tumblr's I follow. It has always been my favorite source of inspiration, simply because it is soothing scrolling through the dashboard and picking images to reblog. When I'm stuck with not knowing what I want to create, I sort through my personal Tumblr and try to recreate the images I see in my own sort of way. It takes the pressure off because it doesn't feel so serious--you are free to reblog whatever you want and it is not like everyone in the world is looking at it. It is such a beacon of inspiration and you are bound to find other creative individuals through the platform as well. 

4. Travel

Definitely the least unattainable to do right away in this list, but I find that traveling to different places, even somewhere not so far away, refills me with positive energy and motivation. There is so much to gather about different locations and it challenges you creatively to photograph in places that you may not have before. Looking at architecture is one of my main sources of inspiration as well. Though it might sound strange, just appreciating buildings and streets makes me feel so calm, yet makes me buzz with a certain type of energy. Being surrounded by different landscapes, different people, and taking yourself out of the norm can be an amazing way to find inspiration. 

5. Look Around

This last one is pretty typical, but I feel like we don't do it as much anymore. Sometimes, admiring people's outfits on the street can fuel my creative bug. The most mundane things, like morning coffee shops, restaurants, random vintage shops, couples walking, an old building, can give me encouragement. Seeing the little things in life is an amazing way to inspire the big things. 

No matter what, I urge that you don't push yourself, and instead find inspiration naturally. Often, appreciating details and sometimes looking in the not so obvious places can be the most rewarding.