How can you use your personal struggles to build a unique photography portfolio?

1 Identify your struggles

The first step is to acknowledge and accept your personal struggles, whatever they may be. They could be related to your health, relationships, finances, identity, or anything else that affects you deeply. Instead of hiding or avoiding them, try to embrace them as part of your story and your journey. Write down your struggles in a journal, talk to someone you trust, or express them through other forms of art. This will help you to understand yourself better and to find meaning and purpose in your struggles.

2 Find your themes

The next step is to find the themes that emerge from your struggles. Themes are the overarching ideas or messages that you want to convey through your photography. They could be related to your values, beliefs, goals, or passions. For example, if you struggle with anxiety, you might want to explore themes of fear, uncertainty, or resilience. If you struggle with identity, you might want to explore themes of diversity, belonging, or self-expression. To find your themes, look for patterns, connections, or contrasts in your struggles. Ask yourself what you want to say, show, or teach through your photography.

3 Choose your subjects

The third step is to choose the subjects that best represent your themes. Subjects are the people, places, or things that you photograph. They could be yourself, your family, your friends, your community, or strangers. They could be landscapes, cityscapes, nature, or objects. They could be real or imaginary. The key is to choose subjects that resonate with you and that reflect your themes. For example, if you want to explore fear, you might choose subjects that are scary, dark, or mysterious. If you want to explore belonging, you might choose subjects that are familiar, comforting, or inclusive.

4 Experiment with techniques

The fourth step is to experiment with different techniques that enhance your themes and subjects. Techniques are the methods or skills that you use to create your photographs. They could be related to composition, lighting, color, focus, angle, perspective, or editing. The key is to use techniques that suit your themes and subjects and that create the mood, tone, or atmosphere that you want. For example, if you want to create a sense of uncertainty, you might use low lighting, high contrast, or blur. If you want to create a sense of self-expression, you might use bright colors, bold shapes, or collage.

5 Share your portfolio

The final step is to share your portfolio with others. A portfolio is a collection of your best photographs that showcase your themes, subjects, and techniques. Sharing your portfolio is a way to communicate your struggles, your vision, and your voice to the world. It is also a way to connect with others who might relate to your struggles, appreciate your creativity, or support your goals. You can share your portfolio online, on social media, on a website, or on a blog. You can also share it offline, in a gallery, in a magazine, or in a book.

By following these steps, you can use your personal struggles to build a unique photography portfolio that reflects your personality, your story, and your message. You can also use your photography as a tool for healing, growth, and empowerment. Remember, your struggles are not your weaknesses, but your strengths. They are what make you different, original, and valuable as a photographer.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?