As a career educator in photography, I see it everywhere. All skill levels, all ages, all walks of life. A collective shoulder shrug. A kind of quiet ache behind the eyes. An uninspired, unmotivated drift. People love photography—really love it—but they just don’t feel it anymore. They say things like:
“I used to shoot all the time…”
“I just haven’t felt inspired lately…”
“I keep waiting for the spark to come back…”
Sound familiar?
Here’s the thing: I don’t buy it.
And I’ll tell you why.
Let’s start by unpacking those two big, fuzzy culprits: Inspiration and Motivation. They’re not the same, but they like to tag-team.
Inspiration is the lightning bolt.
It’s the idea. The “wow.” The goosebump moment.
It’s sudden. It’s emotional. And it’s largely out of your control.
Motivation is the muscle.
It’s the part that shows up. It’s commitment.
It’s brushing your teeth even when you don’t want to.
It’s choosing to go for a walk with your camera even when the light sucks.
Now, here’s where the trouble starts.
Too many photographers—maybe even you—are sitting around waiting for inspiration to come back, hoping it’ll kickstart your motivation.
That’s backward.
Photography isn’t a magic trick. It’s a relationship. And like any real relationship, it’s not always fireworks and candlelight. Sometimes it’s sweeping the kitchen. Sometimes it’s awkward silences. But you show up anyway.
You don’t only love when you feel like loving.
There’s a feeling part of love, yes.
But there’s also an action part.
And if you’ve been in love long enough—whether with a person or with a passion—you know which one wins out over time.
Spoiler alert: it’s action.
The Pain Points (AKA: Why You “Don’t Feel Like It”)
Let’s call them out:
Overwhelm. You’ve got too many photos, too many unfinished projects, too many tools.
Comparison fatigue. You’re constantly scrolling through other people’s polished work and feeling like your stuff doesn’t measure up.
Creative burnout. You’ve been doing the same kind of shooting, in the same way, with the same lens, for too long.
Disconnection. You’ve stopped shooting for yourself. Your work has become a checklist, a job, a routine.
And here’s the biggest one of all…
You’re waiting for “the feeling” to come back before you act.
That’s like sitting in your car, refusing to turn the key, because you’re waiting to feel like driving. It doesn’t work that way. The drive creates the feeling.
What To Do Instead
(Spoiler: you don’t have to feel it to do it)
Here’s my short list of get-off-your-ass suggestions:
Pick up your damn phone. Seriously. Don’t wait for perfect gear or perfect light. Just shoot something today.
Create a simple constraint. “One subject a day for seven days.” “Only shoot in black and white this weekend.” Make it small, make it doable, make it yours.
Share your imperfect work. Don’t wait for “worthy.” Share your process, not just the product.
Get physical. Go for a photo walk. Even if it’s to the grocery store. Movement wakes things up.
Shoot like nobody’s watching. You didn’t fall in love with photography to impress strangers on the internet. You did it because it made you feel alive.
I’m here to tell you, as someone who has been around the photography block more times than I care to admit: you don’t have to wait for the feeling to return.
You have to return to the work.
The work will bring the feeling.
Just like in love, the “feeling” often comes after the act of loving.
The warmth comes after the showing up.
The connection returns once you start listening, looking, touching again.
So—what are you waiting for?
Dust off your lens. Empty your camera roll. Take your creativity on a walk.
Don’t wait to fall in love with photography.
Love it anyway.
The feeling will follow.
Click.
Jack.
