As photographers, we often find comfort in what we’re good at. Maybe it’s the intimacy of portraiture, the thrill of street photography, or the stillness of landscapes. Whatever your niche, it’s familiar, reliable, and sometimes… a little too easy. That’s why this month, I want to challenge you to do something most photographers never evenContinueContinue reading “The One-Month Switch: A Photography Exercise That Will Change How You See”
Tag Archives: photography
How Do Photographers Really Get Their Start? 10 Paths to Breaking Into Photography
We often imagine that successful photographers broke into the industry with a formal art degree, or a huge online following. But in reality, there’s no single path. Many well-known photographers got their start in messy, nonlinear, deeply human ways. Are you trying to figure out how to start a photography career without art school orContinueContinue reading “How Do Photographers Really Get Their Start? 10 Paths to Breaking Into Photography”
How to Stand Out as a Photographer in 2025 (Without Selling Out)
In the 80s and 90s — and especially in the decades before — photography wasn’t something everyone could do. Cameras were expensive. Film was limited. Access to galleries or publications was hard-earned. When people like Steve McCurry and Mary Ellen Mark created work, it stood out because it was rare and deliberate. Fast forward toContinueContinue reading “How to Stand Out as a Photographer in 2025 (Without Selling Out)”
How to Create Your First Photo Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a photo essay is one of the most powerful ways to grow as a photographer. It pushes you beyond single “standalone” images and into the world of storytelling. It’s where each frame builds on the next, and feeling and flow matter just as much as composition and light. If you’ve never made a photoContinueContinue reading “How to Create Your First Photo Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide”
What is the 20/60/20 Rule in Photography?
One of the most helpful things I’ve ever learned about photography has nothing to do with gear, settings, or style. It’s a simple mental framework I now use on nearly every shoot. It’s super helpful when I’m walking through a new city, or just sitting in a cafe watching the light change. It’s called theContinueContinue reading “What is the 20/60/20 Rule in Photography?”
MELISSA MARTINSEN 