Where I find Inspiration
One of my favorite questions to ask fellow creatives is: Where do you find inspiration? The answers are always different because inspiration can truly come from anywhere. It might happen while doing something completely ordinary, listening to music, or spending time in nature. Everyone has their own source, and today I want to share some of mine.
My Day-to-Day
For my still-life projects, I often find inspiration in daily habits. Ordinary objects catch my attention, and I love bringing them in front of my lens to transform them into something new, or to turn them into a story is one of the most exciting parts of my work.
Color Palettes
Sometimes inspiration comes from a beautiful color palette. Certain colors call to me so strongly that I feel the need to capture them on camera. Starting with color can be both inspiring and challenging: on its own, it doesn’t always carry much depth, so I usually work to uncover the story behind the palette.
Art
Museums are one of my favorite places to recharge creatively, especially modern art museums. Paintings, sculptures, and installations give me fresh perspectives on shape, texture, and storytelling. I’m especially inspired when I get a glimpse of an artist’s process. It often sparks ideas for my own artistic language.
Books & Movies
Books have been a recent source of inspiration. Many are art books or graphic novels, but sometimes even a classic novel can spark unexpected imagery or themes. Also, movies have a big impact on my creative work. Perspectives, color grading, story lines, and sets are amazing to watch. For my motion work, I like to pull inspiration from animated movies and/or graphic novels.
Going Outside
Cities always spark something new for me. A café visit, a poster on the street, or a stroll through a local shop can trigger fresh ideas. Nature, on the other hand, works differently for me. It helps me slow down and find calm, which I need to process inspiration.
Products
When I’m shooting for a client, I often draw inspiration directly from their products. Packaging, ingredients, and materials can spark a visual idea. But also, a company’s values can lead to interesting concepts. I like to explore how the product’s story can be told in a way that feels meaningful and/or bold.
Conversations
Talking to friends, family, or fellow creatives is another powerful source of inspiration. A single conversation can open up perspectives I never would have reached on my own, and sometimes that leads to new concepts.
The Internet
Of course, the internet and social media flood me with inspiration every day. I’ve also started experimenting with AI as a tool. It’s not about taking over ideas, but about exploring new directions by asking “what if”. Looking at other photographers’ work can also be inspiring, though I try to keep that to a minimum to avoid being overly influenced.
Other Sources
Music and travel often spark ideas, too. And sometimes I turn to personal memories or childhood objects. Nostalgia has a way of unlocking something unexpected and emotional. This can be a toy or a photograph from the past.
As you can see, inspiration really is everywhere. At the heart of it, the main ingredient is simply: life. If we don’t go out, experience things, and stay open to the world around us, it’s much harder to find inspiration. Of course, it’s not always easy to make the time or space for that. But whenever possible, I remind myself to step outside, try something new, and just live. That’s where ideas begin.
See you soon,
Rachel