You Don’t Have to Shoot in the City to Be Taken Seriously
Last week, a message landed in my inbox that stopped me in my tracks.
“I keep finding myself drawn to nature, but I feel like I should be shooting in the city to be taken seriously.”
I felt that one - because I’ve been there too.
For years, I believed I had to shoot in gritty, urban locations to be seen as a real fashion photographer. That city lights and concrete backdrops were the stamp of legitimacy.
But at the same time, I’d find myself wandering through wildflower fields and quiet woodland paths thinking… “This feels more like me.”
Eventually, I stopped resisting that instinct. I let go of the pressure to be “edgy” and started leaning into something softer—feminine styling, florals, nature. And here’s the funny thing:
That’s when everything clicked.
That’s when I started getting booked.
That’s when people started recognizing my work on sight.
Being You is the Most Marketable Thing You Can Do
Yes, fashion photography requires adaptability—clients will throw curveballs, and you’ll need to roll with them. But standing out? That’s all about clarity.
Being so unmistakably you that your work is instantly recognizable.
For me, that meant no more chasing city aesthetics I didn’t connect with.
It meant owning the softness, the florals, the sense of stillness that nature offers.
And guess what? It resonated—with clients, with collaborators, and most importantly, with me.
But What If You Live in a City?
I hear you. If you’re surrounded by concrete and the idea of city shoots makes your creativity shrivel up, here’s how you can start carving out your own style, wherever you are:
Start a location bank
Create a private Google Map and drop pins whenever you see a spot that catches your eye—while walking, driving, or scrolling. Build a library of inspiration.
Search for pockets of green
Even the most urban cities have slices of nature tucked away—overgrown alleyways, quiet courtyards, ivy-covered walls. They’re there. Go find them.
Use AI to your advantage
Tools like generative fill can help you remove distractions. If you find a great texture (a wall, a tree, a bush) but there’s a building in the background, edit it out. You have the tools—use them.
Think in textures, not just full scenes
Tree bark. Long grass. Cracked paint. Bold fabric. These elements can become your location. Build a story around one strong visual detail.
Plan around one visual hook
Instead of thinking “I need a cool location,” ask: What’s the visual anchor here? Is it the styling? A prop? A color palette? Let that lead your choices.
Remember: Your Dream Clients Want Perspective, Not Just Pretty Photos
They don’t care if your shoot is in Shoreditch or a forest clearing. What they’re drawn to is vision—work that tells a story, feels intentional, and couldn’t have been created by just anyone.
So if cities don’t spark your creativity, give yourself permission to step into the spaces that do.
Want more tips on styling shoots, planning concepts, and finding your visual identity?
🎥 I’m sharing tons of behind-the-scenes content, mindset advice, and creative strategies over on YouTube—including things I don’t always post on Instagram.
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Let’s make shoots feel like you again.
