18 Tips to Kick Creative Block to the Curb

I’m a list maker, an organizer, a planner. I love tools, reference materials, and ideas. And, like every creative, I often get caught in a slump and don’t know what to do next. Some days I just wish I had a boss to tell me what to do. But lets be realistic, I HATE being told what to do, sorry Mom.

Here’s my working list of things I do to get my creative juices flowing or at the very least my finger clicking the shutter:

1.  Just go out and start shooting. Go on a crap shoot.
2. Choose a theme and start photographing – colour, subject, etc.
3. Photograph urban scenes downtown.
4. Try a new technique, style, or concept.
5. Be inspired by a new location.
6. Collaborate.
7. Go for a drive. I come up with tons of ideas while driving, some people do the same in the shower or on a walk. Have a notebook handy.
8. Visit a gallery. I find student art particularly inspiring.
9. Go shooting with another photographer.
10. Go to a movie or watch music videos.
11. Refer to my photo idea list and fill my calendar.
12. Write drunk and edit sober.
13. Plan a big shoot.
14. Unplug, sit quietly, and think.
15. Do everything to find my elusive creative genius.
16. Stay offline.
17. Colour.
18. Draw.

What do you do when you don’t know what to photograph next? How do you bring back your creativity? Do you show up every day and force your creativity? Or do you emerge from your funk by clearing your mind and doing something else?