The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Finding Your Photography Style

When you’re just starting out in photography, the internet can make it feel like everyone else has their signature style completely figured out.

You scroll Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok, and see these beautifully cohesive feeds… while you’re over here just trying to figure out how to not blow out the highlights.

Here’s the truth no one tells you:

Your photography style isn’t something you find overnight.
It’s something you grow into.

But I’m going to show you how to make that process way less overwhelming and way more fun.

What Is a Photography Style, Really?

Your photography style is the visual voice of your work. It’s made up of things like:

The way you use light
How you compose a shot
The stories you tell through your images
And, yep how you edit

Think of it as the personality of your work. It’s what makes someone say, “Ohhh, I knew this was yours the second I saw it.”

Why You’re Struggling to Find Yours

If you feel like your work is all over the place, you’re not alone. That usually means:

You’re experimenting (which is good)
You haven’t edited enough to notice a pattern
You’re consuming more than you’re creating

Here’s the shift:

You don’t find your style by waiting to feel inspired.
You find it by creating again and again and noticing what feels like you.

5 Steps to Uncover Your Style

1. Start a Visual Moodboard

Use Pinterest or Instagram collections to gather work that speaks to you. Ask yourself:

Do I love warm or cool tones?
Moody shadows or light and airy?
Portraits or landscapes?

2. Shoot a Lot, Then Edit Consistently

Shoot in different settings, but then try editing all the photos from a session with the same preset or style. This helps you see what feels aligned.

💡 Want a beginner-friendly preset to start with? Wanderlust is my favorite for clean, natural edits that don’t feel overdone.

3. Notice What Comes Naturally

Look at your own work and ask:

What types of photos am I drawn to take?
Do I shoot details? Emotions? Movement?
Where do I feel most creative?

4. Stop Copying. Start Tweaking.

It’s okay to be inspired by others, but don’t get stuck mimicking. Use inspiration as a starting point, not your final destination.

5. Trust That It’ll Evolve

Your style at 3 months in won’t be your style at 3 years in. And that’s the point. Let it shift as you grow.

Real Talk From Someone Who’s Been There

When I first started, I tried every style I saw online, from desaturated film looks to hyper-saturated skin tones. But the more I shot, the more I realized what made me feel something.

That’s what I want for you.

To find a style that doesn’t just look good, but feels right.

Want Help Defining Your Style?

Start with your edit.
The Wanderlust Presets were created for photographers like you who want timeless, true-to-color edits without the overwhelm.

Wanderlust Collection👉 Grab Wanderlust here and start playing with your style today.

Check out all Lightroom Presets in our SHOP

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Finding Your Photography Style