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Beyond the Myth: Cultivating Your Unique Voice in Documentary & Commercial Photography
As a documentary and commercial photographer, one of the most frequently asked questions I encounter is, "How do I find my photography style?" The prevailing narrative in the broader photography world often implies that your style is a hidden secret, waiting to be discovered. This sends countless photographers on an endless quest, convinced that unlocking this elusive "style" will instantly propel their work to the next level. In reality, it's far more nuanced – and often, the search itself is a distraction.
Photograph: Manish Khattry, Varanasi
Why Do We Desire a Style So Much?
A distinctive style is, at its core, your signature. It's that unique blend of perspective, life experience, and subtle personal touch that makes your work unmistakably yours. It should ideally manifest naturally, expressing your unique point of view. So, why does it often feel like such an uphill battle?
The common pitfall lies in the digital age's obsession with developing a "style" before establishing a robust foundation in the craft itself. Without a solid grasp of photographic fundamentals, a photographer's true style simply cannot emerge. It's like trying to write a masterpiece before you've learned grammar.
The Guitar Analogy: Mastery Before Signature
Through years of conducting workshops, private lessons, and building online photography courses, I've observed hundreds of students grappling with this very concept. To clarify, without intending to offend, let me offer an analogy from a different art form:
Imagine someone who loves music and decides to learn the guitar.
They immerse themselves in research, comparing every guitar model, hoping the perfect instrument will magically transform them into a musician. They eventually buy a guitar but never truly become comfortable with it. They can't play by ear, struggle to read music, constantly need to watch their hands and practice sporadically.
Inevitably, they lament not being able to "find their style," wondering how legends like Jimi Hendrix developed theirs.
Without a firm command of the basics – the chords, the scales, the rhythm – genuine musical expression is nearly impossible. This principle applies universally. Whether it was Jimi Hendrix mastering the guitar, Shakespeare honing his prose, or Claude Monet developing his impressionistic brushstrokes, every iconic artist forged their unique style on a bedrock of foundational knowledge and thousands of hours of dedicated practice. Yet, in photography, we often skip this crucial step, believing style can be summoned prematurely.
“Developing style is something that takes time, constant reinvention, and a bit of outside influence. No one develops in a bubble.”
Three Persistent Myths About Photography Style: Having witnessed and navigated this journey myself, I've identified three pervasive myths about developing a photographic style:
"You Are Born With It"
I once heard a celebrated, elderly photographer claim they simply "rolled out of bed and made pictures," implying a natural, effortless talent devoid of practice, struggle, or failure. This narrative, unfortunately, is common among some established professionals and is profoundly misleading. Developing a distinct style demands time, effort, and resilience.
Look at the early work of any photographic titan – Henri Cartier-Bresson, Ansel Adams, or W. Eugene Smith. You'll often find their initial images to be, frankly, generic. They're unremarkable, lacking a unique voice, and could easily be mistaken for anyone else's work. This is entirely normal. No artist emerges from the "artistic womb" fully formed with a signature style. It takes years of consistent creation, reflection, and evolution.
Photograph: Nan Goldin, NYC, 1982
A Documentary Photograph. Source: https://www.myclickmagazine.com/art-of-documentary-photography/
"My Style Is Shooting With a 35mm Lens"
Another well-known photographer once declared, "My style is shooting with a 35mm lens… any good photographer shoots just one focal length."
Let's be clear: 35mm is a focal length. It is not a style. The gear you choose speaks only to your purchasing preferences, not your artistic vision.
Imagine a painter asserting, "Oh, I only use round brushes, never filberts. That's my style." It sounds absurd, doesn't it? An artist's tools should ultimately become invisible, serving merely as extensions of their creative intent. What truly matters is the art they create. A photographer with a truly developed sense of style should be able to express that style through any tool they pick up.
A travel photograph by Uttam Gurjar, Bhopal
"Lack Of Style Is Holding You Back"
It seems almost daily, I see a new photography competition touting a search for "photographers with a unique style." Yet, upon reviewing the winners, the selections often feel profoundly repetitive. Even a casual observer might remark, "This all looks the same."
Here's the truth: a lack of "style" in the nascent stages is not what's holding you back. Style is the exquisite icing on the cake; it is not the cake itself. First, you must master the fundamentals: measuring ingredients, mixing them properly, baking the cake, and preparing it for finishing. Even Michelin Star-quality icing cannot redeem an undercooked cake. All the foundational elements must come together, in the correct order, before a distinctive style can genuinely emerge.
A travel photograph by Anil Bhati, Bhopal
The Silver Lining: Photography's Accessible Curve
The encouraging news for photographers is that the initial learning curve, compared to many other creative arts like painting, drawing, or sculpting, isn't as steep. In my experience, a dedicated individual can progress from a complete beginner to producing professional-grade images in under a year. The camera handles much of the heavy lifting, allowing you to grasp the basics of various types of work in just a few months.
Once these fundamental skills are firmly in place, you'll begin to notice subtle, unique touches surfacing in your photographs. This is the organic process where your true style starts to flourish and your distinct uniqueness begins to shine.
In the meantime, shift your focus from "finding" style to "feeling" passion. Ask yourself, "What genuinely excites me most about photography?" The sincere pursuit of that answer will not only make your photographic journey immensely enjoyable but will also, quite naturally, reveal your authentic style to you.
