Shake things up to escape a photography creativity rut.

Photographers: Boredom happens! Even in the most creative endeavors, we can find ourselves in a bit of a rut. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to keep the boredom at bay. Here's ten ideas to help you stay fresh in your photography.

1. Shoot something new
2. Find a group to shoot with
3. Intentionally limit your options with a theme
4. Rent something new
5. Try a daily photo project
6. Take a break
7. Take a class
8. Take a page from other artists
9. Travel
10. Enter a contest

Let's dive into each one.

1) Shoot something new.

If you're a portrait or wedding photographer, chances are most of your shoots operate pretty similarly in the day-to-day. So why not point that lens at something else: A sunset, people on the street, flowers in your garden, skateboarders at the park, the Milky Way? You may discover new ways to use your existing gear that you never would have thought of before. And who knows! You might even end up finding a new niche.

2) Find a group to shoot with.

Nothing lifts the mood like a smile, and there's tons of that on a photo walk. Photography-focused social sites like Flickr can be a great way to find other like-minded photographers to trade ideas, feedback, and inspiration with. It's always inspiring to see what other people are using and doing, and you may end up making a few new friends, too.

‍

3) Intentionally limit your options with a theme.

Sometimes the best way to stretch your creative practice is to give yourself boundaries. Try taking pictures of just red things, a series only looking upwards, or any other theme you can think of. You'll find yourself liberated by the rules, grounded by great focus, and perhaps even seeing something new in the mundane.

4) Rent something new.

Rending new equipment is easy and lets you take your dream lens out for a spin. From macros to mega-zooms, you can get anything you want shipped to your door and enjoy it for as little (or as long) as you like. These services are especially great for trying out highly specialized lenses like fisheyes, which pack a lot of punch mixed in with your regular portfolio offerings.

5) Try a daily photo project.

Similar to our theme suggestion above, a daily photo project can free you up by giving you some strict guardrails. Taking a photo every day lets you churn out work with less pressure on the precious: it may not be high art and you may miss a day here or there, but we guarantee it’ll get you thinking about shooting each day without the stress of your business or a client.

6) Take a break.

At the other end of the spectrum, you may just need a break. Put the camera down but don't get stagnant -- go hiking, pick up a paint brush or a pencil, read a great book, or do yoga. Try new things that don't flex your photography muscles, and you may find your creativity comes back with a vengeance.

7) Take a class (or two or three).

You’re never too far along in your creative journey to learn something new! The internet is home to thousands of opportunities to learn from other photographers in a more formal, structured environment that lets you focus on a single skill, subject, or topic. From one-day classes to week-long trips, the options are nearly endless. (And as a bonus, SmugMug subscribers get access to some of the world’s best photo education at a sweet discount.)

8) Take a page from other artists.

Taking an afternoon trip to the museum could be the best thing you ever did for your craft. Switch gears, stop stressing about creating your own art, and take a look at what others have done before you. The timeless work of old masters or the trailblazing pieces of new ones can get your brain thinking in great new ways.

Alternatively, our sister site Flickr is the world’s best place to find photography online. From the front page of Explore featuring the best photography happening right now, to the largest archive of historic creative commons photography on earth, there’s something for everyone looking to get inspired.

9) Travel.

Nothing gets the creative spirit going like travel. And you don't have to go far! Chances are there’s a whole different side of your hometown awaiting exploration, or cities nearby you’ve never visited. Of course, there’s a whole world out there to explore! So if you’re feeling stuck, throw a dart at a map and find someplace new to get you seeing things in a different light.

10) Enter a contest.

Sometimes a little friendly competition is just what you need to hone in and focus on your craft. Get the blood pumping with a photo contest where there's a set theme and (if you like) a tasty prize. Just be sure to check the rules and be sure the way the organizers handle copyright and ownership of submitted images is OK with you. 

With these tips in mind, creative blocks don’t stand a chance! Now get out there and keep making magic.