Lesson 21: Brainstorming & Planning

Starting a Personal Photography Project

As you know, we will be asking you all to complete a long-term personal project in this course. Over the past 20 weeks you’ve tried new techniques, explored different genres, and most importantly got some real hands-on experience. In the previous assignments we’ve asked you to think critically about your own work, what challenges you, and what you genuinely enjoy doing. That will be the basis of your personal project. We’ll start with brainstorming and planning out how to best approach your chosen idea. 

Why Personal Projects Matter

Personal projects are your chance to focus your creative energy into something that matters to you without the recourse of client input, forced deadlines, thematic limitations, et cetera. They are a rewarding experience with numerous benefits such as…

Creative Exploration:

They allow you to explore new themes, techniques, and styles without the constraints of client work. They also allow you to make endless mistakes, which often lead to discovering new techniques or interests. When working on a long-term project, you’ll find that you’ll see a visible evolution of your work from the first photo to the last. The story and cohesion you create within the project will help you to understand your strengths and creative objectives.

Skill Development:

Working on a long-term project helps you hone your skills and deepen your understanding of your chosen subject. You may find that you have a final image in mind, but aren’t sure how to achieve it. The flexibility of a personal project gives you ample opportunity to continue learning and trying new things, which will ultimately increase your skill level across the board. 

Portfolio Building:

A well-executed personal project can enhance your portfolio, showcasing your creativity and commitment. Whether or not you’re interested in making photography anything other than a hobby, having a portfolio is rewarding. Even if you don’t share your portfolio, having a selected body of work for your own reference brings pride in your own achievements. A personal project is a wonderful basis for a strong portfolio.

Brainstorming Ideas

Identify Your Interests:

Start by listing topics, themes, or subjects that genuinely interest you. These could be anything from street photography, nature, portraits, or abstract concepts. Reflect on the assignments from the previous weeks - were there any which resonated with you more than others? Is there another hobby or cause which you feel strongly about?

Research and Inspiration:

Look at the work of other photographers for inspiration. Identify what speaks to you and why. Consider how you can put your unique spin on these ideas. Remember that you can get inspiration outside photography. Look to other media for sparks.

Mind Mapping:

Create a mind map to visually organize your thoughts. Write your main idea in the center and branch out with related concepts, techniques, and potential subjects. I find that doing this is a great way to find links in your thinking, which may lead to a cohesive idea. You can also try freewriting. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes. Put pen to paper. And write. Don’t let the pen stop - it doesn’t need to be grammatical or even comprehensible. When you revisit your freewrite, you may find that your mind led you to a strong idea. 

Theme Selection:

Now that you’ve considered your own interests and sought out inspiration, it’s time to choose a theme. Choose one that excites you and has enough depth to sustain a series of photographs. Ensure it aligns with your goals and interests. If you can’t narrow it down to one, workshop more than one to see if one theme or idea lends itself better to a project. 

Planning Your Project

Define Your Project Scope:

Determine the scope of your project. How many photos will it include? Remember the (soft) deadline for your final project is December 31st. Be realistic about what you can achieve within that time period.

Set Specific Goals:

Outline clear, actionable goals for your project. These could be technical (e.g., mastering a specific lighting technique) or conceptual (e.g., telling a story through images). Do these goals align with your overall goal you set at the beginning of the year? 

Create a Timeline:

Develop a timeline with milestones. Break your project into smaller tasks and set deadlines for each stage. This will keep you organized and motivated. We will check in on the project throughout the remainder of the year, but setting your own timeline will allow you to realistically work it into your schedule. 

Gather Resources:

Identify the resources you’ll need, such as equipment, locations, models, or props. Make a list and start gathering what you need. If you’re not sure what you’ll need, leverage the knowledge of your mentors and peers. Talking out your project with your classmates will be beneficial.

Storyboard Your Ideas:

Create a storyboard or shot list to visualize your project. Sketch out or list the key shots you want to capture. This will serve as a guide during your shoots. Don’t worry about the quality of the storyboard - it’s for you and you only, so it really only has to be decipherable for yourself.

Take the First Shot:

It’s one thing to map everything out, it’s another to actually make the first shot. I have been mapping and working on the preparatory steps of a long term project since 2016. In 2019, I finally took the first shot. The weight of my own expectations were keeping me from diving in headfirst, but after that first shoot, the project finally seemed obtainable. The photos themselves are not ones I’m particularly proud of photographically, but knowing that they were what got me out of my own head in the planning process makes them infinitely more important to the project as a whole. You can plan and mindmap and storyboard ad infinitum, but pressing that shudder for the first time makes it real. Don’t put pressure on yourself, trust your vision, and remind yourself that the project is always evolving.