Would I recognise my own work?

I can’t put my finger on what my style is. I like to shoot so many different genres, as I’m still experimenting and learning – I wish I could articulate it.

I don't think i have a specific style at the moment.. I know what i like and there's things I want to continue doing but I'm still exploring 😊

Edited by Jessica Leigh Photography

Marissa _PH1 "We all know our own images, but if we can look at our work objectively and from a removed perspective, can we describe our own style and uniqueness?"

Soft focus. Mostly diffused light. Leans towards headshots over full length. Textured feel to the shots. Varied subjects.

I think I'd know my shots.

I have a style in some genres of my work but I like to mix it up a bit

When I started I was convinced that I needed a "style" but nothing really worked. Years later I was talking to someone that said " Always recognise your work ". I was a bit surprised because I didn't think I had a style.  After searching for a style and giving up I seems I have accidentally discovered one. Having done this for a while I think it is simply stuff I like. 

While I undoubtedly have a certain aesthetic that I gravitate towards, I hope I break out of it enough to not be too boring and predictable. I do like to riff on different approaches to lighting, styling, subject and editing to try and develop my skills, as I appreciate I have long way to go, while retaining the essence of what I hope and strive for as a recognisable style.

I always tend to shoot dark and moody which is a style or look I love, but I feel if I keep editing that way I will just become stuck posting the same repetitive look.

I often only shoot in natural light, but recently started shooting with flash in studio for a completely new experience and that's given me a reason to create a different editing style based on the photos and poses the model uses.

I have been told that I was specifically chosen for my dark and moody look, but I fear that it will only keep me stuck in a box and stopping me from going in from a different approach and creating something new with a different mindset/editing style.

For me recognising a photographer's photographs is almost impossible because many do not have a "same all the time" shooting style, they shoot from different distances, angles, heights, use different locations/backgrounds/set designs, different lens, lighting, tones and colours, different models, even different cameras and different post processing styles to suit the picture. Saying that when I see Orson Carters new uploads, they do appear to have a distinctive appearance and a less processed look which I personally find easy on the on eye as well as authentic and original.

Theta Aeterna

I see what you mean ✨✨✨👍🏽 I can also see a feminine perspective in how you shoot nude.

The Boardroom

Really, I'm asking whether you can recognise your work if you were not you

Marissa _PH1 Thank you! I read/heard the feminine aspect many times. It’s an interesting thing for me since I identify as a cave man😂. But I can see why it is seen like that.

I've just had a look at my portfolio both recent and old and what I see is a lot of black in both colour and monochrome

Would I recognise my own work.

No, I don't think I would.

But then, when I take photographs it is just "reaction" and not really with any particular intellectual input.

But not always.

Jessica Leigh Photography

I guess what I'm trying to establish in this thread, is whether you could go to your own portfolio as someone else and be able to say, " Oh that's Jessica Leigh"

Afrofilmviewer

Thanks for this. I agree with your view and that you can recognise it. You have an almost animated feel in the images. Not sure how to explain that properly, but the photos almost look like they are moving.

RAWing Waves

But can you look at your portfolio and know it's you, or do you see nothing that stands out, stylistically?