The signs were always there - how I developed my style in photography

Today, while digging through my archive looking for an image to post on social media, it hit me.

It all started with a photo of my dog peeing on an information board at the beach. That photo happens to be the cover of my Shore Goods project. It’s the one you see on top of this post.

It’s one of the nicest memories from the summer of 2024 - taken on a casual beach walk with my partner and our dog.
At first, I wasn’t super happy with the conditions. The sky was dull, slightly hazy - pretty typical for the warm summer evening on Dutch coast. The light wasn’t exactly my favourite.
But as the sun began to set, the sky shifted into this odd pastel-orange hue. Combined with the raw, rugged landscape of the a vast stretch of dunes, it created a scene that felt somewhat Martian.
As I was taking a photo of the information boards, my dog decided to pee on them. The cherry on top of an already surreal frame.

How I found patterns in my pictures

For the Instagram post, I wanted to pair it with a few extra photos of road signs - an allegory for choosing your own path.
I went through some old hard drives from the early days of my photography, and it turned out there are dozens of them. Maybe even hundreds.

Those photos were buried among traditional landscape images I was trying to take and enjoy at that time.

It felt like a glass of cold water thrown in my face. Because despite seeing myself as someone who doesn’t give in to outside opinions, or trends, I had clearly fallen into the trap of making images that, for some reason, felt appropriate.

And yet, I already knew what really drew my attention. All I had to do was listen to that intuition.

I was taking very personal photos without knowing it

Only now, after putting together a small series of my favourite road signs and information boards from across Europe, something important clicked.
These photos are stills from my personal road movie…

And even though it may not seem like it at first glance, this is one of the most personal photo series I’ve ever assembled.
At the same time, it carries a message that’s deeply universal.

It doesn’t just document all the places I’ve been.
It’s also a record of my evolving visual language, shaped over time. My own way of seeing the colors I’m drawn to, the compositions I go for, the details that catch my eye…

How Did I find my style?

Finding your style in photography is less about chasing some holy grail of originality, and more like realizing you’ve been wearing your favorite shirt all along and it feels damn good.
Anyway, rushing is not a good way. The truth is: style is a slow burn. Just like a favourite shirt - it’s something you grow into. And grow out of sometimes.

Here are some tips that might make it easier to find the way, at least on the beginning.

How to develop your photographic style

Stop trying to be someone else

It's tempting to mimic that one photographer who always nails foggy forests or neon-lit alleyways. But your job is not to copy - it’s to be curious. Borrow ideas? Absolutely. But steal with purpose, then remix them into something that sounds like you. You’re not them, and that’s your power move.

Notice what you keep shooting

When you understand this better, you will create better. Go through your archives. What pops up over and over again? What subjects do you return to without even trying? Moody landscapes? Old neon signs? Are you drawn to symmetry? Movement? Certain colors?
Answer these questions and you’ll get a step closer. That’s your subconsciousness doing its thing. Pay attention to the signs. That’s your visual comfort zone - aka a breadcrumb trail to your style. Follow it.

Edit like you mean it

Editing isn’t cheating, it’s seasoning, a part of storytelling. Over time, you'll naturally lean into certain tones, contrasts, or crops. That’s style, too. Those decisions add your fingerprints to the photo. If you have difficulties to start, try some presets. Over time, your edits will reflect your instincts.

Don’t be afraid to be weird

Some of the best styles come from leaning into something a bit odd - shooting only on cloudy days, loving blurry frames, using expired film. If it feels good, keep doing it. Weird is good. Weird is memorable. If something feels “too odd,” do more of it.

Consume good photography

Watch masters. Offline. In photo books, on exhibitions, talk about it with other photographers.
You can’t shoot good stuff without learning what good actually means.

Accept that style a moving target

Your style will shift. And that’s a good thing. That’s not inconsistency - it’s growth. If your photos look the same in five years, something’s off. Think of your style as a living thing. Let it stretch and evolve as you do.
If you like to stick it forever - it’s also fine. As long it’s yours, you enjoy it and you’re happy with it - all fine.

When you see you’re getting there

Finding your photographic style isn’t about following trends or mimicking others. It takes time.
It’s about discovering what speaks to you and letting that guide your work. It’s a process of exploration, experimentation, and reflection, not a destination with a clear endpoint.

As you grow, your style may evolve too - and that’s part of the beauty. So follow your curiosity, and keep shooting.
The more you create, the clearer your voice will become.

At the end of the day, finding your photographic style just comes down to paying attention to what you’re drawn to.
Experimentation is the lab where your style is born. Repetition is how it sticks.

Do you need help finding direction?

The 100 Day Photo Challenge is a simple way to build a photography habit by giving you one prompt to work with each day for 100 days.

No need to wait for inspiration, travel somewhere new, or come up with a great idea every time. Just pick up your camera and make a picture.