The Power of Personal Projects in Photography
If you’ve ever hit a creative wall, you’re not alone. Every photographer, from hobbyists to professionals, eventually finds themselves staring at their camera thinking, “What now?” That’s where personal projects come in. They’re the creative fuel that keeps the photographic fire burning, the playground where we experiment, fail, learn, and sometimes surprise ourselves with something brilliant.
Recently, in the Platypod Users Group on Facebook, photographer Liam Tain reminded us exactly why personal projects matter so much. His latest work, shared in the group, isn’t just visually engaging - it’s an exercise in growth, experimentation, and the kind of creative stretching that makes us all better photographers.
Liam’s project takes him beyond his usual photographic comfort zone. It’s not just about capturing a single great shot, it’s about storytelling, patience, and craft. He’s exploring new lighting setups, trying unfamiliar compositions, and even pushing his editing techniques in ways that might make his regular workflow feel like a holiday. It’s the kind of project that forces you to slow down, rethink your approach, and rediscover the joy that got you into photography in the first place.
That’s the magic of personal projects. They don’t need a client brief, a deadline, or a financial goal. They exist purely to develop you as a creative. When you take on something outside your usual field, say, a landscape photographer experimenting with portraiture, or a commercial shooter diving into macro, you start to pick up transferable skills. Suddenly, that lighting trick you learned while photographing a still life becomes the secret weapon in your next wedding shoot. The patience and precision from your astrophotography start to show up in your product work. Even the discipline of shooting every day for a month can totally change how you see light and shape.
And this is where gear like the Platypod really shines. When you’re working on a personal project, you’re often forced into weird positions. Literally. You find yourself lying on the floor, wedged between chairs, or balancing your camera in places no tripod dares to go. The Platypod is the kind of creative enabler that makes those experiments possible. It’s compact, solid, and versatile enough to let your imagination off the leash.
The best part? Personal projects tend to reignite that spark. They remind you why you love photography. You stop worrying about likes, algorithms, and analytics, and start focusing again on the pure, simple thrill of making an image. It’s like going back to square one - but this time, you’re armed with experience, better gear, and maybe a Platypod or two.
So, take a cue from Liam. Pick a theme, an idea, or even just a random word, and run with it. Don’t overthink it. Whether it’s a one-day photo challenge or a long-term creative series, get out of your comfort zone and make something that’s just for you. The lessons you learn, the skills you sharpen, and the inspiration you rediscover will echo back into every other part of your photography.
Who knows? Your next personal project might just become your best professional work yet.
Now go make something amazing—and share it with us in the Platypod Users Group. We can’t wait to see where your creativity takes you.
