Finally Finding My Photographic Niche

No one needs to be a hobbyist or professional photographer to love photography. Freezing time. Documenting moments. Taking photos of family, friends, and places. Capturing a horrible moment that may help to catch the person who committed the crime. Whatever the reason or motivation, if you can press a shutter button, that’s all that matters.

When we develop a passion for photography, learning is the fun part. Understanding how a camera functions. Discovering new photography techniques and playing around with them. Watching documentary after documentary of master photographers, as well as contemporary photographers. Finding inspiration.

Now the difficult part. You’ve learned your camera. You’ve bought an amazing camera and lenses. Your editing techniques have improved significantly and you’re producing beautiful images. You now have a wide variety of photos that you’re proud of, but you’re beginning to realize something. You haven’t settled on a specific, recognizable body of work. Street photography. Portrait photography. Landscape photography. Abstract photography. You love it all, and have photographed it all. But you realize, if you had a portfolio review with all of those genres represented in a single portfolio, the collective response would likely be, “Find your niche. Your portfolio is too busy. ‘Jack of all trades. Master of none.’”

I have had some absolutely amazing photographic opportunities lately. In 3 days I filled 2 13x19 portfolios with photos. One portfolio is of portrait photography, the other is of street photography in Manhattan. I planned a 3rd portfolio of dance photography, and I have more portfolio ideas based on dance alone! As exciting as all of it is, I have longed for a solid year now, to figure out what my niche is. Honestly until a few days ago, I still had no idea. I do now. I finally know.

Two things struck me most about my portrait photography. The candid nature, and the theatricality. Even though the photos were taken during scheduled photoshoots, I loved photographing the models in between shooting; being casual, talking to the photographer, chatting with each other. And when I say photoshoot and models, I’m talking about an amazing photographer who is my friend and makes the most incredible images in limited spaces. The models are friends and acquaintances who volunteered their time to be photographed, not professional models. This gave me a comfort and freedom to shoot them as I wanted. Being invited to shoot ballet dancers in a practice setting, as well as rehearsal and dress rehearsal, further inspired my love of candidly photographing, but in a theatrical setting.

After printing photos for the 2 portfolio books, and then having an opportunity to photograph the Syracuse Community Folk Art Center students in the final 2024 event for Black History month, while editing the photos from CFAC, I had my lightbulb moment. FINALLY! I want to photograph local artists, candidly, and have those photographs displayed locally in establishments in Syracuse. I was getting discouraged that I would never have my “Aha!” moment. It hit like a lightning bolt! Now that I have a clear sense of direction, I can begin to move towards it.

LaTrenda