If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a blank canvas, an empty page, or a camera with no idea what to shoot, you’re not alone. I’ve been there more times than I can count. But I’ve come to realise that inspiration isn’t something we just stumble upon, it’s something we can cultivate.
Inspiration is a fickle creature. Some days, it arrives in a rush, filling our minds with vivid ideas and urgent creative energy. Other times, it remains elusive, hiding just out of reach no matter how desperately we try to summon it. In my experience, waiting is the enemy of creativity. Inspiration is not a passive state; it is something that can be cultivated, coaxed, and built through action.
Inspiration is not always a lightning strike. More often than not, it is a slow burn, cultivated over time through exposure, practice, and a deep well of references. It grows from the stories we read, the images we absorb, and the emotions we experience. Creativity flourishes when we set up conditions that invite it in.
The Kiss of the Muse (c.1860) by Paul Cezanne
When I find myself uninspired in my portrait photography, I turn to systems that have, over time, proven to reignite my creative spark. These are not grand, sweeping gestures, but small, deliberate acts that encourage momentum, and momentum itself is the key to breaking through creative blocks.
Cultivating the Flow State: Systems That Encourage Creativity
- Pinterest Boards & Visual Research: I collect imagery that resonates with me, curating themed boards that I can return to when I need direction. These collections become a wellspring of potential, offering colours, compositions, and moods that may later translate into my own work.
You can find my Pinterest boards here
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Setting Small Challenges: Sometimes, the simplest way to move forward is to impose constraints. I might challenge myself to use a particular light setup twice in different ways, or incorporate a specific prop into a new concept (my current challenge tool is a smoke machine) These exercises remove the pressure of invention and instead invite play.
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Revisiting the Past: Often, hidden gems lie within our own archives. I make it a habit to go back through past photoshoots, looking for discarded images that, with a kinder eye, might hold unexpected beauty. Time grants perspective, and a photo I once overlooked may now feel like a revelation.
- Engaging in Cross-Discipline Exploration: Inspiration often comes from outside our immediate field. I might watch a film with striking cinematography, read a moving scene in a book, or even explore music that evokes a mood I want to capture in my portraits.
- Spending Time in Nature: I find that my deepest breaths come in a dark, mossy forest. Taking a hike in the Perth hills, walking my dog at the local park, or even tending to a garden can restore creative energy. The textures, colors, and atmosphere of the natural world provide endless sources of inspiration.
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Keeping a Creative Journal: Writing down thoughts, sketches, or concepts—even incomplete ones—creates a library of ideas to return to when inspiration runs dry. Sometimes, revisiting past notes can ignite a new spark.
for example: this was a quick sketch that became one of my favourite portraits.
Momentum Creates Inspiration
The truth is, inspiration rarely arrives out of nowhere. It is something we build through consistent effort, through the act of showing up even when we don’t feel particularly inspired. Creation itself breeds more creation, momentum begets momentum.
So if you find yourself in a creative rut, start somewhere. Anywhere. Gather references, revisit old work, set a tiny challenge. The first spark of action may feel small, but with time, it will catch fire.
Here’s to chasing the muse, embracing the process, and never waiting too long for inspiration to strike
- Jessica
