What's my style?

[capturedbybrooke]

I'm having a hard time figuring this out and as I was told at a workshop, I need to find my style, what makes me stand out and differ from the rest, and find my niche. I've been building my portfolio and think I have a pretty good selection now...but I like variety and don't do my sessions the same way every time. Sometimes in studio, sometimes outdoors (doing more of that now that it's spring). I'm more into going with the flow of things, letting people goof off and be themselves, then capturing that. So I'm not sure how to describe that or if that is my 'style'. I'm working on my official site, right now I have a smugmug account that has most of my images in it. I am going to be narrowing down to only the best for the official site and then using smugmug for clients' viewing of their sessions. Right now it's all public and that's probably not the best idea...which is why I will be putting an end to that as soon as I get the official site up. But just curious as to what you would say me 'style' is or how you would describe my photography. Any critique is welcome. Thanks!!

Here's my smugmug site:
Captured by Brooke Photography - Brooke Reynolds

[OsmosisStudios]

Your style is what you make it: ignore the labels. Let your photos do that talking.

[tasmo2]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Your style is what you make it: ignore the labels. Let your photos do that talking.

I disagree a bit.. you have to know what your strong points are in order to latch on to them and hone the rest of your skills. Did you look through her photos? I only had to look her photos of people for about 2 min to see that she is an amazing contemporary photographer! I know its a label, but knowing that means she can put herself out there as getting those types of shots. Then she can know that her weak point is traditional poses, and she can concentrate a bit harder on sharpening those skills.


brooke (making an assumption here that you are brooke, sorry if your not)
Your contemporary pics, the ones of people just being themselves and showing their style and personality were awesome! some of them I for real said wow out loud! I hope one day to be able to capture people the way you do! now, having said that (please don't take this the wrong way) the pictures of people in front of a background in traditional poses were not as good as the others... if you want a label, I would call you a contemporary photographer because you are so good at getting people in their own style!

[capturedbybrooke]

Originally Posted by tasmo2

I disagree a bit.. you have to know what your strong points are in order to latch on to them and hone the rest of your skills. Did you look through her photos? I only had to look her photos of people for about 2 min to see that she is an amazing contemporary photographer! I know its a label, but knowing that means she can put herself out there as getting those types of shots. Then she can know that her weak point is traditional poses, and she can concentrate a bit harder on sharpening those skills.


brooke (making an assumption here that you are brooke, sorry if your not)
Your contemporary pics, the ones of people just being themselves and showing their style and personality were awesome! some of them I for real said wow out loud! I hope one day to be able to capture people the way you do! now, having said that (please don't take this the wrong way) the pictures of people in front of a background in traditional poses were not as good as the others... if you want a label, I would call you a contemporary photographer because you are so good at getting people in their own style!

Thanks! Yes I'm Brooke! I've always been an anti-label person (labels are for soup cans!!) but I guess a little definition never hurt anyone. Contemporary, huh? Not sure if I like that word...I had to look it up...I'm a thesaurus geek I like these synonyms...

Main Entry: far-out
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: unconventional and offbeat
Synonyms: Bohemian, avant-garde, boss*, contemporary , cool, cool*, deep, deep*, excellent, fabulous, fantastic, groovy, groovy*, hip*, hippie, mod, modern, modernistic, neat, nifty, offbeat, out in left field, out of this world, rad, rad, radical, sensational, strange, super, swell, trendy, ultamodern, unconventional, unorthodox, very unconventional, way-out, weird, wild, wonderful

Funny! Maybe I should just put that whole thing on my site for the 'about me' section. It kind of suits me actually...

[LoveDSLR]

Contemporary!

Niche can be a business decision to position your business.

[douglas]

I'm not a professional photographer (,though another kind of professional.) Ones "style is something that develops as you develop. You find the things that interest you, and like doing...and also the things you don't like. Perhaps one should work on those but will they be you. I,m not sure you can or should set out actively to develop a style, let it happen!
Sorry a bit of a ramble, but my 2 cents worth.

[Raoul Isidro]

There are so many styles that you can be labelled with, or associated with, because of your images or because of your leaning....
But the one style I always want to, and always strive to achieve is to be...
"Leading Edge"
It has no restrictions.
No rules.

Trinity: "How do you know this will work?"
Neo: "Because it's never been done before..."

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by Raoul Isidro

But the one style I always want to, and always strive to achieve is to be...
"Leading Edge"
It has no restrictions.
No rules.

I would be happy with neo style.

[LeeR]

I would cast a jaundiced eye at any workshop that pressured people to developing a style. Sure, recognizable styles are more easily marketed, but it can take years, if not decades, to develop one. My advice is to relax and let the style develop on its own. If you will give it the time develop of its own accord you will find it to be more honest and true to who you are.

That being said. I think you are already developing a style though you have not quite recognized it yet. Allow me to point you in the direction of a very succesful photographer named Francesco Scavullo. In his day, he was THE guy to have your photograph taken by. His style was unmistakable largely because he kept the technical side of his work simple so he could concentrate on the client and their pose. (Is this beginning to sound familiar?) His light setup involved just two umbrellas and a white background. With patience and a keen eye for expressions he created an amazing portfolio of Hollwood's A list. (You can get a copy of his portrait book for just under $5,000!)

As I looked through your work I noticed that the lighting was very similar in most of the shots because you also like to concentrate on the client. So go with that and do as Scavullo did; concentrate on your people and their personalities. Why reinvent the wheel when someone has already paved the way for you? (I know, mixed metaphor but you get the point.) Don't be afraid to channel a bit of Scavullo as you fill your website with images that make your clients feel like they are on the A list. You should have no trouble marketing that!

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by LeeR

I would cast a jaundiced eye at any workshop that pressured people to developing a style. Sure, recognizable styles are more easily marketed, but it can take years, if not decades, to develop one. My advice is to relax and let the style develop on its own. If you will give it the time develop of its own accord you will find it to be more honest and true to who you are.

Agreed 100%. I'm still finding my style/niche. As I grow and develop as a photographer, I find different "styles" that suit me for the time being, then I move on to something else. I've found that my "current style" is a blend of previous stages. I'm still waiting for the "a ha!" moment when I've come to realize I've truly found a style I stick with religiously...if that day ever comes.

Your work is lovely. Keep going with your gut and doing what you love, and your signature style will emerge on its own.