Think about the creatives that you really like. Can you define their “style”? I bet you can.
All artists, photographers, designers, and other creatives strive to have a style that is recognizable and unique. How you brainstorm it, compose it, crop it, see it, change it black and white, render it, and design it, can all be defined as “style”. Everybody wants it. However, there is a BIG misconception that at some point in everyone’s artistic journey you miraculously “find” your style… as it if is something to go looking for.
I definitely never just “found” my style.
Because when you go looking for it….you will most likely end up finding the SAME ONE that everyone else has. We can see that in our industry already. That’s what trends and fads are. They are styles that people have “found” and claimed as their own eliminating uniqueness and creativity all together.
When talking about STYLE, I change the language from “finding” to “identifying”…..So how do you identify your style?
Your style is not something to be found.
Your Style is recognized over time.
Your Style is always evolving.
Your Style is… in other words… you.
Do you ever have that feeling in your gut of just exactly how something SHOULD be? Let’s use a photographer as an example. You know that moment when you are shooting the same subject with another photographer and you think, “That needs to be shot from here, at this angle, with this setting.” Or that feeling of, “This is what I would do if I were in that situation.” That may sound arrogant, but it’s not….that is your STYLE talking. You may not be able to see your own style for a while, but the more you shoot, create, make, and design, the more your style will be revealed over time. Soon others will be able to recognize your style too. Or they may even be the first to notice! create, create, create, and then look back to see how you have evolved and developed as an artist. And your style will be shining bright.
Your style is a bi-product of your creations, not your end goal. Don’t waste time looking for your style, because you won’t FIND it. The truth is…. you already have it. You just may need to create more in order to see it.
+ - 36 comments
kendra michelle - {this is greatness – thanks so much for the share sister!}
Tina - LOVED this! Thanks Promise.
Alisha - Youre awesome Promise, looove you! xoxo
Britney - Ahh!! I love love love it when you post blogs about style! Thank you so much for your insight! <3
Ashley Swartzendruber - Oh my goodness, this post is so amazing in so many ways. Thank you for opening my eyes to what I have been trying to figure out for so long: Why can’t I FIND my style? I CAN’T and that’s how it is supposed to be! You are genius girl, and have inspired me to get out and create!!!!!!
jarrod reno - So true. I got to the point where I literally deleted my ‘Google Reader’ because I was spending more time looking at other artists work then my own… that gets confusing because you’ll automatically start comparing yourself to them and also what I was finding is photos that I’d take reminded me of specific photos from other photographers, to the point where I wouldn’t even post them because I felt like I copied them even though it might have been subliminally. anyways…over the last year I’ve realized that if you put in the hard work and keep working, go with your gut and let your passion drive you… you’re style just happens. But again, like you said, its not your end goal!
Sarajane Case - So true! I think the creative industry is so tricky in that way. What great words to share!
Lupe Ruiz - OMG, thank you for this post! I have been constantly trying to “find” my style proactively and I just keep getting frustrated. I don’t know what I’m doing! I so appreciate your words of wisdom on this topic and now I know that it takes time to identify my style and to keep shooting!
christina moodie - Great post Promise! Such a good way to look at it.
Naomi Chokr - awesome post!!!! im still finding my style…. but at least now i have a direction i’m more leaning towards. but you’re right you have to create and shoot a lot!!
Linda Dalton - Stop looking outside the box because it already inside waiting to be discovered! Thank you Promise, you make it so perfectly simple!
Mac - Wow! I love this. It’s one of those things you kind of know in your gut at some level, but hearing someone say it out loud helps you recognize it clearly!
Sarah Hart Boyd - thank you…… wise words, that I needed to hear!
Alejandra VIdal :) - Love this post Promise!! My favorite line is: “but the more you shoot, create, make, and design, the more your style will be revealed over time.” I can’t tell you how true this is for me. I remember you telling me this at the Phx PASS Tour last year and not realizing the difference between “seeking” and “evolving.” Then it appeared and it made sense
Thank you!
Brandon Robbins - This is so good. I needed this.
I love the last paragraph:
“Your style is a bi-product of your creations, not your end goal. Don’t waste time looking for your style, because you won’t FIND it. The truth is…. you already have it. You just may need to create more in order to see it.”
Annie - Ah thank you for this!!
Mailinh - Love this! I was at this “phase” two years ago and learned to just go with my gut feeling. That has taken the pressure off and allowed me to see things in a different light. I don’t feel confined anymore and am free to do with what I feel is right for me.
Thank you for sharing this, Promise. If you were offering some kind of workshop, I would sign up in a heart beat. :0)
Christina LeMarr - THANK you!!!! Perfect post! Something everyone needs to realize, your style is YOU
Find it from with-in! Awesome Promise! Thank you for posting!
Leah Spicer - Oh you are a wise lady Promise! This is a fab post and exactly what I needed right now – thank you!
THE UN-PROMIFIED-PROMISE + PUPPY LOVE | PROMISE TANGEMAN ART & DESIGN - [...] your week is going well so far. And I am so glad that so many of you liked the How to NOT find your Style post a couple of days ago. There were a TON of shares on that. AND I went out on a limb and posted it on [...]
Ashlee Chu - Promise -
This is great! I think so many people, especially us ladies, become so focused on how to identify our appearance or sense of style that we lose sight of our organic intentions. Thanks for this.
- Ashlee Chu
Rosa @ FlutterFlutter - This is SO true!
Nikki McKenzie - amen!!
http://www.esspressojoy.blogspot.com
Required Reading — Luke Copping - Blog - [...] Promise Tangeman’s blog is often full of universally relevant creative thinking that keeps me coming back week after week – but this article on identifying your own creative style though the act of creating and evolving and not consciously “finding” or adopting your style and ending up with someone else’s is fascinating – one of my favorite pieces on her blog. | Promise Tangeman [...]
JC Ruiz - It’s true. When we don’t search for our “style” we realize our style is us. Ever evolving etc.
Lina - This is a wonderful post! I found you through SillyGrrl and I’m so glad I did!
Friday Linkup 3/23/12 | eef etc - [...] Don’t waste your time trying to find your style – on Promise Tangeman’s blog [...]
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Lacey R - Right on the money!! Well said!
Shannon - I needed to hear that
That was a great post and really made my day. It is definitely hard sometimes when you are bombarded with trends to break away and find your own style. Thanks for the great advice.
Alannah - OH my word, couldn’t be more timely. This was such a blessing. THANK YOU.
consistency. » Ellie and Renard - [...] a designer/photographer, promise tangeman (love her blog!) said (here), [...]
Friday Linkup 3/23/12 | EEF Etcetera - [...] Don’t waste your time trying to find your style – on Promise Tangeman’s blog [...]
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Inspire Me // Find Your Style « Beautiful Geometry - [...] this post on Promise’s blog about finding your style – it’s not as hard as we try to make [...]