I get asked this question a lot, and I believe it is because people are always in search for it. They need a constant and reliable source of inspiration to stay motivated. Without it, we cease to continue at a pace that we need to be going at in a world where everyone else seems to be doing better than us. As artists, we always look up rather than down. We look at those who are continually doing great things and feel we need to always be at that level. We see them as perfect and never see their flaws. That begs the question, where are they getting their motivation from? What is their source of energy that drives them? I believe this is why this question gets asked a lot. It’s like an endless circle.

So let me answer that for you. 

There are two sources of inspiration, internal and external.

Internal Sources

Before I came in this industry, I had a passion with all things Photoshop and art. I also loved good design, especially architecture and technology, and I really loved to see these worlds combine. When I found the world of photography, I liked it. I enjoyed shooting people and capturing emotion. I wouldn’t say I loved shooting to the extent many people do, but I can say I really enjoyed it. What I did love, was the aspect of retouching. Immediately, I felt this inexplainable connection and passion towards it that I never expected I would. It was indescribable and to this day I can’t tell you exactly why I am compelled to it. The key aspect is that I was compelled without reason. I felt a sense of calling and happiness when I was retouching.

Perhaps it has to do with being able to create something that reflects the exact vision I have in mind? Maybe it’s the ability to transform a photograph into something even more beautiful? Or maybe the process brought me a sense of peace? I still try to bring words to mind but I haven’t found any to perfectly describe and justify my passion. 

And then I realized what it was. It was the fact that I felt a sense of passion for something that I couldn’t describe. It almost transcended words. I suddenly understood the meaning of ‘love what you do’.

I knew then that it wasn’t just a hobby, I really loved it. It was beyond reason and that is exactly how it should be. It is that fire that keeps you doing what you like no matter who understands it or no matter how hard it gets. Thankfully, many of you already share the understanding so I fortunately don’t have to try to describe it.

This is where your main source of motivation must come from, it must come within. That fire within you that brought you here must guide you through the hardest of times. When clients get scarce or when it gets tough and you need a source of motivation, it must come from that same passion you felt when you first found it. Through every test, it must remain. No matter a flicker or an inferno, it must never go out.

So you have to ask yourself, do you like what you do, or do you love what you do? Because there is a difference. If you do not love it, it may not be your calling and that fire will be put out through the hardest of tests. Those that shoot with a fire in their eyes will make it through the worst of times and they won’t always need another source of inspiration. 

As we’re in an industry that has a few barriers to entry, you will notice that people that have the same internal strength will be the ones that persevere. If you are in it for the wrong reasons, you may just not make it. You can’t keep that fire burning, it will keep on burning by itself if you truly do love it. 

So what inspires me? It can’t be answered, but you can see it in my eyes.

External Sources 

Like fine tuning a race car, external sources of inspiration can direct a well conditioned machine into living up to its full potential.

The Internet has given me the privilege to make my passion into a career. I’ve worked with so many photographers around the world and I’ve gotten a chance to also visit them as well through teaching. Before I started teaching, I would follow many photographers on Facebook and study their habits. Through Facebook, I’d see how active they were. I’d see how hard they worked, how often they shot, how much work they were putting in on social media. I also saw their mannerisms, their communication skills, and business skills as well. The way they treated others and how busy they stayed came through to me. I used to think I worked hard but after seeing the efforts, it changed my perception immediately. 

Many of these idols eventually became my friends and colleagues. I found that all of them shared very similar characteristics. Those characteristics turned into a formula of success. It became so apparent that anytime I would see an up and coming artist possess these same characteristics, I knew they were going to make it. In a couple of years, they did just that. 

Further intrigued, I had the opportunity to meet many of my idols. I got to travel the world and actually see how they were in person. The same traits I saw online were further amplified. Their work ethic and details of their past came through. Being able to sit down with them and see that same fire I had in my eyes shared in theirs solidified the sentiment that I would one day make it too. No matter where in the world I went, you could see it in their eyes. You know they were going to make it one way or another. And those that already had made it for themselves, you knew they would grow to become icons. As I don’t want to leave out any names, I won’t mention any, but there were so many situations like these that convinced myself that I was following the right path. They opened up a path for me when I wasn’t sure what to follow. Even though the fire within was strong, seeing them in person assured me that what I felt inside was strong enough to get me where I need to be. And seeing as they were already ahead of me, they helped me clear my own path to success. I started seeing clearly.

Since then, teaching retouching has lead me many opportunities to travel and meet many artists and photographers. I believe the best part about it is meeting people in person and sharing your love and hearing theirs. You’ll immediately begin to see these common patterns.

It also allowed me to see their weaknesses, times they’ve failed, missed opportunities, and so many things you just don’t get to hear online. Everyone puts their best face forward online. How many times have you said, “I would have never expected that!” when you hear a story about someone successful? Those are the stories you need to hear. They will make you realize your problems can be overcome and it is okay to fail.

So aside from simply looking at images online for inspiration, your external source of inspiration should be those who you look up to. Not just by the quality of their work, but by the quality of their character. It’s obviously not easy to meet many people in person, but at the least, use social media to follow people you admire and study them. You will take away a lot from just analyzing them and networking with them.