Why you should start with photography, too

Photography changes the way you see the world. That might sound like a bold statement, but it's been true for me. When I started, it was about more than just taking pictures — it became a way to really notice and appreciate the moments in life that I might have overlooked before. Whether it's capturing the small, everyday joys or using photography as a creative outlet, it has opened my eyes in ways I never expected.
If you've ever thought about picking up a camera but haven’t made the leap, here’s why you should start with photography, too.

1. Photography Teaches You to See the World Differently

One of the first things you’ll notice when you start taking photos is how much more aware you become of your surroundings. Photography trains your eyes to notice things you may have overlooked before — like the way light casts shadows, the textures of surfaces, or other details around you. This awareness doesn’t just make you a better photographer; it enriches your everyday life, helping you appreciate beauty in the mundane and in the small details.
But let me tell you, that at a certain point you can't unsee things like that any more and that's sometimes very stressful and frustrating if you don't have your camera with you at that point. The feeling of missing out on or losing a shot is something every photographer has to get used to.

2. You Don’t Need Expensive Gear to Get Started

A common misconception is that you need an expensive camera to get started in photography, but that’s not the case at all. The best camera is the one you already have — often your smartphone. Today’s phones have incredibly powerful cameras that allow you to experiment with lighting, composition, and framing right away. As you get more comfortable, you can always upgrade your gear, but it's not something you need to rush into.
However: if your photography becomes a bit more serious and you would like to dive deeper into image processing and really want to experiment with it, then I would recommend switching to a “ proper” camera at some point.
But even then, it doesn't have to be a 2.000 € camera. My first camera for example was a Fujifilm X-T100 and that was definitely enough for my first steps.

3. Photography Can Be a Form of Mindfulness

In a world that often feels busy and chaotic, photography can be an excellent way to practice mindfulness. When you're behind the lens, you’re focused on the present moment — on framing the shot, finding the right angle, or capturing an expression. This focus can be incredibly grounding, because you have to be fully in the moment. Many photographers find that this meditative aspect of photography is one of its biggest appeals.
But that's exactly what I had to learn at first and I realized how rushed and driven I was at the beginning. I quickly became impatient if I didn't immediately find the best scenes or had the desired images on the memory card.
But by the time I started with fine art street photography, it was essential to let go and wait patiently. And I can tell you: you get better at it with practice.

4. It’s a Creative Outlet Anyone Can Enjoy

Photography is a powerful way to express your creativity. You don’t need to be a professional artist to enjoy photography — whether you’re experimenting with colors, playing with light, or capturing emotions, there’s endless room for creative exploration. The beauty of photography is that it’s so accessible; anyone, at any age or skill level, can take it up and find joy in creating something uniquely their own.

Some photographers are also the most creative when it comes to editing images later on. I also find this process super exciting and love to bring out even more in my photos, for example by changing the image cropping or playing with the colors and contrasts. Sometimes I even rediscover a photo or reinterpret it in a different way than I had originally thought when I took it.

5. You’ll Build Lasting Memories

Photography is one of the best ways to preserve memories, whether it’s a family event, a spontaneous trip with friends, or just the little moments that make up everyday life. There’s something about looking back at an image that takes you right back to that place and time, often bringing back emotions you might not even remember. It’s a visual diary that words alone can’t always capture.

In my blog post on “How becoming a mother has changed my photography” I wrote about that exact topic and how I love to capture valuable moments in every day life with my little son!
I also like to preserve very special moments, such as a great vacation or the first year of my son's life, in a photo book that you can pull off the shelf and look at again and again.

6. Photography is a Lifelong Skill

One of the greatest things about photography is that it's a skill you can develop for the rest of your life. There's always something new to learn, whether it's mastering new techniques, experimenting with different genres like - in my case - self portraiture, food, flowers, street photography or fine art. And then there is of course the world of editing, which is a total different topic in itself. Photography challenges you to keep growing, and the more you practice, the better you’ll become.

But I also have to admit that sometimes it feels like you're not making any progress and your skills are stuck in one place. That often happens to me when I compare myself with other photographers and I quickly realize that this comparing doesn’t do me any good at all. But if I look e.g. at my photography journey since 2020, I do see progress! 

And the - in my opinion - most crucial fact is that I simply don't have the time and opportunity to go out on the street every day with my camera and practise like many other photographers, because I am a woman, a mother and at the moment taking care of our little toddler. You would be surprised how many photographers tend to go out at least 1 hour per day, just walking around and shoot. And that inevitably means that my learning and development curve may not be quite as steep. But it doesn't have to be and it’s simply not my lifestyle. 

Practical Tips for Getting Started

• Learn the Basics
  Start by learning basic principles like composition, the rule of thirds, and how lighting affects your images. There are countless free resources online, including tutorials and guides, that can help you get started without feeling overwhelmed. In the first year I watched endless hours of YouTube videos and they helped me a lot to get a general understanding.

• Practice Daily as often you can
  Like any skill, the more you practice, the better you’ll get. Try to take photos as often if you can, even if it’s just on your phone. Look for interesting compositions or scenes in your daily routine, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles. Before I ended up with the fine art street photography stlye, I tried various other styles like food or flower photography.

• Find Inspiration
  Follow other photographers whose work you admire. In my case exspecially other female photographers. Platforms like Instagram or also YouTube are great for discovering photography communities and finding inspiration. Pay attention to what draws you to certain images — whether it’s the use of color (or in my case often the absence of it), the framing, or the storytelling — and try to incorporate those elements into your own work.

• No learning without mistakes
  Photography is all about trial and error, and that's okay. Those early "mistakes" are actually some of the best teachers — they show you what works and what doesn’t. Your first photos won’t be perfect, and that’s part of the journey. As you keep shooting, you’ll naturally find your own style and start mastering the technical aspects along the way.
  And then the question comes up as to whether there is such a thing as mistakes in photography?

• Edit with Care
  Editing is a big part of photography, and even a small adjustment in brightness, contrast, or saturation can make a huge difference. Editing apps like Lightroom (Classic) can help you enhance your images in subtle ways without overwhelming you with too many tools.
  At this point I would also recommend searching for relevant tutorials on YouTube.

Photography is an incredibly rewarding hobby that anyone can start. It’s more than just taking pictures; it’s a way to connect with the world around you, express your creativity, and capture meaningful moments. Whether you’re looking for a creative outlet (that was my intentional motivation to pick my camera up in the first place), a new skill to learn, or just a way to document your life, photography has something to offer everyone. So, why not start today?