Define Your Unique Creativity by Reflecting on Your Old Job
Being creative often means having a unique voice that sets you apart from others. If you are just starting out, you are likely to imitate those around you. But after a while, come back and see what you did to feel your own voice.
As fashion photographer Sölve Sundsbo explains, over time you find that you invest a little yourself in most of your creative work. You may still be following someone else’s strategies or style, but you are still there. By looking at your old work (even if it makes you uncomfortable), you can identify the moments in which you see where you have genuinely contributed. This, according to Sundsbo, is the essence of your style:
The point is, if you work with someone like Nick or Bruce Weber, it colors you – we sit here and talk about him [The Knight]. It takes a little time and effort to move away from this. The memory of when I first found my voice is not one thing. You do something and say, “Is that all?” and then also ask: “Is that all?” and third and fourth. You look back at three or four objects and then you see that something is looking at them together.
Your creative voice is likely to evolve over time and may not have one aspect. However, understanding your own voice is critical to using it. Don’t be afraid to revise your work. While you may be tempted to only look for mistakes and puzzle over, you can also use your past work to inspire yourself.
Creative class | Sölve Sundsbo, photographer | Fashion business via 99u