How to find your style and niche in photography

When you first fall in love with photography, chances are you will photograph everything. And if you decide to turn this passion of your into business, this is when you need to narrow it down. In this video, Scott Choucino of Tin House Studio talks about photography style and niche: what they are, why they are important, and how you can find yours.

Scott shares his knowledge and experience, which I’m personally very thankful for. Like most of us, he also started by photographing different subjects. But with years, he has found his own style and niche and honed them to become instantly recognizable.

Today, Scott is a graphic food and drink photographer. The graphic look is his style, and he can apply it to any other subject he shoots. But food and drink photography is his niche and something he’s been doing professionally for years now. That particular style in that niche defines his photography very specifically. They help him reach precisely the kind of clients he wants to work with.

It’s okay and perfectly normal if you don’t have a style immediately. In fact, I think I still don’t have it after years of shooting. Some people say I do, but I don’t think so. However, I’m just a hobbyist, and finding a particular style and niche are crucial if you want to become a professional photographer. This way you’ll make the absolute best of the projects you work with and you’ll get clients who need particularly that type of photography.

So, how do you do it? I think both style and niche will partially define themselves as you shoot and become more experienced at it. But you may still be torn between several different genres, niches, and even styles. This is the time to think: what do you really love? What would you really like to shoot? How do I want to do it? Think about it and be as specific as possible, and this will give you your niche. I suggest you take a look at your photos and analyze them. See what they have in common, how you compose them, edit them, how you use light, what emotions they usually convey. I believe that will have you a sense of what makes your style.

Of course, this is all a bit simplified. It will still take you some time to define your style and niche, and it’s just a start. You will hone them with time and through different projects, but don’t be afraid of it. Enjoy the process and return to your old work from time to time to see how far you’ve come.

[How To Find Your Photography Style and Niche | Tin House Studio]