When I first started photography as a teenager, I wanted to document everything. My friends let me take their pictures, and soon enough, people started asking me to photograph their events, families, and more.
Because I had a camera, I thought this was the natural path—I assumed taking pictures of people was the only way to be a photographer. But I didn’t love it. Eventually, I stopped doing photography.
But when I began attending UC San Diego, my obsession with photography crept back in again. And what do you know, I followed the same path that led me to take pictures of my friends for their life milestones, Christmas cards, and more while in school.
But over time, I realized something important: while I loved capturing my beautiful friends, I didn’t love taking pictures of strangers as much (until I found street photography… much later on).
Meanwhile, my husband and I constantly traveled, hiked, and explored new places. What I truly loved was documenting our experiences—our adventures, our travels, our memories.
The problem? I didn’t think there was a way to make money from that (I laugh thinking about this, who cares about the money). But thankfully, I listened to that inner pull and dedicated myself to learning how to document our travels in a way that felt meaningful.
For the past 5 years, that’s exactly what I’ve done—worked on capturing our memories in a way that brings them to life.
If you’re unsure what you really want to take pictures of, you’re not alone.
You probably know deep down, you just need someone to help you recognize it, give you permission to follow it, or remind you that what excites you the most is worth pursuing.
5 Steps to Help You Discover What You’re Meant to Photograph
1. Start by Taking Pictures of Everything
When you’re just starting (or even if you’re feeling stuck), the best thing you can do is experiment.
Photograph different subjects—people, landscapes, food, pets, architecture, street photography, or even small everyday moments at home. Try different styles, everything from posed portraits to candid lifestyle shots. The goal isn’t to be perfect but to see what excites you the most.
Pay attention to what you naturally reach for when you pick up your camera. Do you find yourself drawn to capturing emotions? Do you enjoy finding beauty in small details? Do you love wide, sweeping landscapes?
By exploring a variety of subjects, you’ll start to notice patterns in what brings you the most joy.
Recommended read: 5 Tips to Help You Take More Photos
2. Notice What Feels Effortless
Photography should feel exciting and natural—not like something you’re forcing yourself to do.
Think about the moments when you’re so lost in capturing a shot that time flies by. Which subjects make photography feel fun and easy?
For me, while I enjoyed photographing my friends, I realized that photographing strangers in a formal setting felt more like a job than a passion. But when I was out hiking with my camera, capturing the places my husband and I explored, it never felt like work. That was my clue—I felt most alive documenting my own experiences.
What subjects make you feel that way? What types of images make you want to keep shooting?
Your best work will come from the things you naturally enjoy capturing.
3. Listen to Your Own Excitement
Think about the photos you love taking, even when no one is asking you to. If no one was paying you, what would you still want to capture?
For me, the answer was simple: I loved documenting my life and travels. But for a long time, I didn’t think that was enough—I thought I had to take portraits to be a “real” photographer. But when I looked at my own work, it was the images of my adventures, the small in-between moments, and the landscapes that I felt most connected to.
Go through your photos and look at which ones make you feel something. Which ones are you the most proud of? I think those are the ones that matter most.
4. Let Go of Expectations
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking photography has to look a certain way—whether it’s shooting weddings, portraits, or commercial work. But photography is an art form, and there’s no single “right” way to do it.
If you love capturing street scenes but feel pressured to do portraits because they seem more profitable, take a step back. If you’re passionate about food photography but feel like you should be shooting events, ask yourself why. The best photographers are the ones who follow what excites them, not what they think they should be doing.
Give yourself permission to explore what you love, even if it doesn’t fit into the typical photography paths you see online.
5. Think About the Stories You Want to Tell
Photography is more than just taking pictures—it’s about storytelling. What moments do you find yourself wanting to capture over and over again? What stories do you want to look back on years from now?
For me, I realized I wanted to remember my travels, the places we explored, and the everyday adventures with my husband and people in my life. I wanted photos that would bring back memories and transport me to those moments. That realization helped me lean into documenting my life, rather than trying to create images for other people.
Ask yourself:
- What do I want my photos to say?
- What emotions do I want to capture?
- What stories do I want to preserve for the future?
Once you start thinking in terms of storytelling, you’ll begin to see patterns in what truly inspires you.
Recommended read: 15 Photography Ideas to Help Spark Your Creativity
Lastly, trust the process
Figuring out your photography style and interests takes time, and it’s okay if it doesn’t happen overnight. Your interests may shift and evolve as you grow, and that’s completely normal.
The key is to keep exploring. Keep shooting, keep experimenting, and most importantly—keep paying attention to what excites you. Over time, your unique style and passion will become clear.
And when you find what you truly love to capture, everything else will fall into place.
