Free Photography Bundle ($180 value): PS actions, LR presets, photo overlays, & print templates!
Get it here.
There are a lot of different things you can do if you want to improve your photography skills, and developing good habits is right up there with the best of them. If you simply do the same things and adopt the same habits as other successful photographers you will be well on your way to improving your own work.
Here we’ll look at 10 habits of successful photographers that you can work on developing, if you haven’t already.
1. They are Eager to Learn
Photography is something that anyone can learn, but it takes effort and desire. The best photographers have worked very hard to master their craft, and they are always continuing to learn. There are a lot of different paths you can take when it comes to learning. You could get a formal education, take online courses, read books, setup your own challenges, or just make a constant effort to practice and refine your skills.
2. They are Dedicated
In order to master any skill you will need persistence and dedication. If learning to be an amazing photographer was quick and easy everyone would do it, but it takes time. If you continue to work and always focus on improving your skills you will be moving in the right direction.
A big part of this dedication simply involves practicing on a regular basis. If you’re shooting every day, or at least working on your skills in some way, you’ll have a great chance to become the photographer that you want to be.
3. They Have Patience
Getting the perfect shot can also require a lot of patience. This is especially true in landscape and nature photography where you may need to wait for the perfect lighting, the right weather, or for an animal to be in just the right spot. Patience is also required in other tasks, like trying to photograph young, active children, or working with challenging clients.
Storm’s Coming by Neil Kremer
4. They Show Attention to Detail
The details are often what take a photo from good to great. Details that others might miss or might think are unimportant can help to make your work stand out. Learning to pay attention to details will certainly help to improve the quality of your work.
5. They Know Their Equipment
Before you can create amazing images you will need to have a good understanding of your equipment and how to use it. Camera manuals are not the most exciting thing to read, but if you don’t know your camera extremely well it is something that you should do as soon as possible. You should also know how to use all of the gear in your photo bag so you can put it to good use.
Knowing your equipment also applies to Photoshop and/or Lightroom for post processing. Your goal will be to get the shot as good as possible in the camera, but digital photos still need some adjustments and processing. If you’re comfortable with Lightroom and Photoshop you can take your photos to the next level.
If you’re looking to improve your skills we have some free courses that may be helpful:
6. They are Flexible
In many situations you will need to be flexible and willing to adapt. This can apply to things that are outside of your control when you are shooting in nature, unexpected challenges with equipment, challenging clients or models, or anything else unexpected that can come up. Being flexible will allow you to still salvage the situation even though things may not have worked out quite like you intended. In some situations the surprise can actually turn into a good thing if you’re able to make the most of it.
7. They Accept the Challenge
In your photography you’re likely to constantly come across challenges. You may need to find a way to overcome challenging light, to show a common subject in an uncommon way, to work around a crowd at a popular location, to get to a difficult-to-reach location in order to get a unique view or perspective, and so on. If you are willing to accept the challenge and work to find a solution you will be able to get shots that other photographers may not.
8. They Seek Inspiration
Being inspired by the work of other photographers is a great way to stretch your boundaries and to come up with ideas that you can use in your own work. If you’re looking to find some great sources of inspiration please see our post 13 of the Best Websites for Photography Inspiration.
9. The Accept Feedback & Criticism
One of the best ways to improve your work is to seek feedback and constructive criticism. You may get this feedback from clients, friends and family, other photographers that you know, or from some online source. If you’re looking to get feedback online, please see 6 Websites to Get Photo Critiques.
10. They Specialize
If you really want to excel you should choose an area of photography for specialization. Specializing doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything else, but it helps you to become the best you can be in a particular area and also is extremely helpful for branding yourself. There are countless possible specialties including landscapes, travel, wildlife, birds, portraits, fashion, kids, newborns, street photography, and many more. If you haven’t already chosen a specialization or an area of focus, consider doing so.
