Just Make The Work.

I got a call from a photo assistant today - while talking they asked me about my photos, where do I get ideas, where does the inspiration for a certain photo come from, how do I decide on locations and lighting?
I always say pretty much the same thing, simply put; forget about inspiration - just make the work.
But to expand; with my photography if I have a shoot I just have to do something, start somewhere. If I have 90 minutes with someone I just have to work, I will have a few thoughts in advance of the shoot, starting points, maybe a feel I’m after, a mood. Sometimes a shoot is quite heavily worked out in advance - the location, the clothes, the light, all set up and ready to go when the subject arrives. Then some other times it’s very loose, I’m pretty much making it up as I go along. I like both ways - but never sit waiting for an idea and stressing that you’re not getting ‘inspired’ - those ideas are already in your head, they are the sum of all your interests, your own thoughts, your subject research, an idea you had 6 months ago that you just realised is perfect for this shoot, a location you saw once and just know it’ll work for this, everything you’ve ever learnt, that ‘inspiration’ is the sum of those things.
Don’t worry about it. Forget about inspiration - just make the work.

Mx