How to turn on your creativity
THE STORY DETAILS:
What: Thoughts on creativity
When: Thursday 23rd May 2024
Where: In my head :)
…
‘Switching on’ creativity
Are you someone who believes the conditions have to be ‘just right’ in order for you to be creative - the weather has to be right, the house has to be tidy before you start, tidy desk tidy mind etc? I used to think like this, but post pandemic and watching my husband working from home and casually ignoring whatever else is going on around him (kids, mess, beeping washing machine asking to be emptied) I’ve changed tack and leaned into a more chaotic approach to creativity. Partly through necessity and the time restrictions that come with motherhood, and partly because I know that little and often, of anything, is the way to success.
I definitely think it takes practise, but I think you can train yourself to switch on your creativity. Don’t get me wrong - there are still ideal conditions I like to work under, and for big project work or client editing, I make sure I create the proper space and time for it - but I am also finding more and more that I can just switch creativity on if I just choose to. This blog post comes in three parts, part inspired by recent events and happenings, and part inspired by reflecting on my photography work and journey over the last two years.
Part one: creative habits
At Snap! back in April, Kate Bunny Hampson talked about her life and times as a wedding photographer. She also spoke of her annoyance at her artist brother who seems to be able to turn his hand to any art form, while she can’t even draw a cat. So she tried to draw a cat, for 21 days in a row - and yes, the drawings were pretty terrible and everyone in the audience had a giggle, and then suddenly around day 17 - insert audible gasp here - there was a cat. As clear as you like, pencil drawn on the paper. And so the proof that actually if you just do something, consistently, you get better. I’m watching my dad do the same thing in his new retirement hobby of watercolour painting, something he always said he wanted to do but never tried because he thought he wouldn’t be able to do it. Turns out you can, if you’re willing to just try and get through the beginning part when everything just looks a bit rubbish AND be a bit consistent in having a go.
Above: I can’t help but join in every time my son gets out his paints! My first attempt at some foxgloves, and his first go at painting a humpback whale.
Part two: creative freedoms
Again, back in April, I went along to hear Martin Parr speak at a Photographer’s Table event in Bristol. I spent half of the evening sat next to one of his assistants, someone who had studied photography formally and completed both a degree and an MA in photography. They loved their work with Martin Parr, but felt a little bit jaded by their own photography journey. As a classically trained violinist, I understood all too well what they meant - the imposter syndrome, the feeling of never being quite good enough because your work is always being critiqued for what is wrong with it, and the feeling of not really fitting in because the elite art world is not a welcoming one. Their hobby - their creative escape from the work of photography - was music. In other words - the opposite of me (until relatively recently). We spoke at length at how we enjoy the art forms we’re not formally trained in so much more because there are lots of things we are ignorant to; we don’t know all the ‘rules’ because they haven’t been imposed on us, we don’t know whose examples we’re supposed to be following, we just don’t know who everyone is and we have far fewer connections in those worlds. And so, whilst I do love learning and finding out more about the history of photography and all the ‘greats’, there is a part of me that hopes to stay a little bit ignorant because it is, quite frankly, liberating to not know how much you don’t know. Sometimes it is good for us to immerse ourselves in the world of what we do; a lot of the time though, it is better to cut out the noise and lean into the things that interest us and spark ideas. For me it is nature, reading, and being around other creative people. I’m finding I’m coming back to music, too, after a bit of a pause - and it feels fresher and more enjoyable without any pressures attached.
Part three: creativity is contagious
The same thing happens at the start of every Wild Women event, whether it is a short play day or two day retreat. We get the cameras out for the first time and everyone just kind of… well, stands there. And nobody knows what to do. Now don’t worry, because I do! Ice-breaker tasks ease everyone in, and depending on the vibe of the group, I either get involved from the front and lead by example - throwing myself in as a model for someone - or a couple of people will get going, and I’ll be able to encourage and work with those who are less sure. Either way, the ripple of creativity spreads and ideas are sparked. I also love just sitting and working on my laptop alongside other creatives, chatting through ideas - I often find that sharing an idea out loud makes them bigger, as people get excited for you and make suggestions to expand on your original thought.
Above: Me jumping in front of the camera at the Wild Women retreat to get the party started - we were playing with some mylar paper by the lake! - and me talking through my creative thought process as I shoot a mum and toddler lifestyle session, the first time I have done this type of photography teaching. Both photos by my wonderful pal Becky Wood.
How to press go on creativity
Creative habits - start small, and set aside 10, 15 minutes a day to do something creative. Whether that is a bit of painting or sketching or writing, make the time a non-negotiable part of your day. Replace the post morning school run cuppa and a scroll with a cuppa and some creating! Or maybe pick up a paintbrush just before bed time and let your mind unwind before sleep. You will also find plenty of creativity challenges and tutorials online in whatever art form you choose, if you would like a bit of structure and guidance. If photography is your thing, you can sign up to my photography creativity challenges here. I run them twice a year and anyone can join in, even if just using the camera on your phone.
Creative freedom - something I have been doing recently is quietly muting lots of motherhood and branding photography accounts on my Instagram feeds. This has absolutely nothing to do with the people behind those accounts - in fact, some of those people are my friends - but more to do with the fact I don’t want to be feeling inadequate every time I open that app. It can be very disheartening seeing other people being (seemingly) more successful than you at the very thing you are doing, when really we’re all on our own journeys and can’t be in our businesses and creativity and working all the time. Instead, my @fieldsphotographystories home feed is filled with things that are likely to inspire me or spark ideas, or just amuse me! I love being outdoors, I love nature, I love hearing stories from other creative women, I love learning about how to run a business, and these are things I am filling my feed with. The result is I now come off the app with ideas or thinking about business things, rather than feeling depressed that my photographs will never be as good as those by somebody else. Some of my current favourite accounts are:
Art/creativity: @_jennylewis_, @esmeloasby.artist @hellobadibadu, and @thecreativeindependent
Gardening/outdoors: @marfskitchengarden, @thehackneygardener and @botanygeek
General lols - I messaged @caraconquest the other week and said - “you share the best stuff on the internet!” - because she does!
Find some creative buddies! - join local networking events, go for a coffee with someone you chat to on Instagram, try a creative circle such as the ones run by Esme, or join a community like my very own Wild Women. I created Wild Women because I realised I needed it for myself, and I know I am energised by coworking or shooting alongside other creative people. I’m also a member of @un.common.folk and love meeting other creatives and small business owners through their platform and events.
Above: community in action - from Wild Women events
So what action are you going to take to build more creative time into your life? I’d love to hear your thoughts and share more ideas with the Wild Women community! In the meantime, happy experi
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