7 things I learned about photography from being part of a community

Photographing alongside other photographers in a community teaches you a lot. Not just about photography in general, but also about your own approach, your subject choices, style, and what truly excites you when you press the shutter. Seeing how others work, what they notice, and how they compose their shots can be eye-opening. It challenges your perspective, sparks new ideas, and sometimes even reinforces what you already love about your own photography.

(Out with The Photographers Club on a beautiful first summer night in 2024, at ‘De Zandmotor’ in The Hague)

Over the past few years of going out and shooting with others, I’ve had plenty of those moments. Some small, some big — but all valuable in shaping how I see and capture the world. Here are seven things I’ve come to realize about photography in general, and my own in particular.

1. Your Camera Doesn’t Make the Photo—You Do

Let’s get this one out of the way first: the camera you use matters far less than you think. Beyond personal preference and usability, there’s no magic in that metal and plastic box. The real magic? It’s in you. A newer, better, more expensive camera won’t suddenly make your images more compelling. The way you see, compose, and capture a moment is what truly defines your photography.

Sure, upgrading your gear can bring some small benefits—better low-light performance, faster autofocus, higher resolution—but these are often minor improvements that only you will notice, if even that. The truth is, no one looks at a great photo and says, “Wow, that dynamic range is incredible.” They react to the mood, the moment, the story. And none of that comes from the camera itself.

2. Embracing Color as My Language

I have a deep appreciation for black-and-white photography, but I’ve come to accept that it’s just not for me (at this point). Color is what pulls me into a scene, it’s what excites me, what triggers emotions, and what feels natural in my work. Over time, I’ve realized that there’s no need to force myself into a style that doesn’t resonate. Photography is personal, and for me, color is an essential part of the story I want to tell.

That doesn’t mean I don’t admire monochrome photography. I absolutely do. I just know that when I try to strip color away from my own images, something feels missing. Color is a fundamental part of how I experience the world, and my photography reflects that. It’s not about what’s “better” or more “artistic”, it’s about what feels right for me.

3. The Beauty of Everyday Scenes

Something else I’ve come to realize is tha I have little interest in photographing “special occasions”; grand events, rare natural phenomena, or once-in-a-lifetime moments. What fascinates me instead are the everyday scenes, the quiet moments where nothing much is happening. That’s where I find the magic. The ordinary, when seen in the right light (sometimes quite literally), can be just as extraordinary as any dramatic spectacle in my opinion.

There’s something special about capturing the world as it is—unposed, unpolished, and unremarkable to most. A street corner in the right light, an empty café, the way someone absentmindedly glances at their phone, it’s all endlessly fascinating. The challenge is to see beauty in what others overlook, to turn the mundane into something worth remembering.

4. Growth Is Better Together

Growing as a photographers takes time and effort. It’s not always easy. But what I’ve learned is that growing alongside friends, seeing their progress, and sharing in their creative journey is something special. Learning from each other, pushing each other, and celebrating each other’s work makes the process that much more rewarding.

Photography can be a solitary pursuit, but being part of a community adds a whole new dimension. Seeing how others approach a scene, hearing their thoughts on your work, and experiencing their creative evolution firsthand is inspiring. It’s a reminder that photography isn’t just about the final image—it’s about the experience of creating it, together.

5. Inspiration Comes From Doing, Not Waiting

Getting results in photography has very little to do with waiting for inspiration to strike. At least, not in the way people often imagine it—some divine spark that arrives when we’re lucky. Instead, it’s about going out, over and over again. It’s about making the shots, reviewing what works and what doesn’t, and learning from the process. Growth doesn’t happen by accident; it happens through repetition, effort, and persistence.

I see this around me all the time, photographers who put in the work are the ones who improve. They don’t rely on inspiration to get started; they create the conditions for it to appear. The more you shoot, the more you learn. And the more you learn, the more often you’ll find yourself inspired—not by chance, but because you showed up and put in the time.

6. Seeing and Capturing Are Two Different Skills

Noticing a great scene and actually capturing it are two entirely different things. Developing an eye for photography is one thing, but being able to translate what you see into a compelling image takes another set of skills. It’s up to each of us to work on both simultaneously if we want to improve.

I’ve had plenty of moments where I’ve noticed something beautiful, yet failed to turn it into a strong image. Maybe I hesitated, maybe I didn’t get my composition right, maybe the light changed before I was ready. The more I practice, the more I realize that ‘seeing’ is just the first step—making it into a photograph is where the real challenge begins.

7. Photography Is About the Process, Not Just the Outcome

A lot of these points have been about growth and improvement, but at the end of the day, I’ve come to realize that photography is really about enjoying the process. Being out, being present, and simply experiencing the act of creating. The final image, no matter how beautiful, is always of lesser importance than the journey of making it. At least to me.

Of course, I love it when a photo turns out great. But what keeps me coming back isn’t the finished product, it’s the experience of being there, observing, composing, and pressing the shutter at just the right moment. The best images may last, but the joy of making them is what truly matters.

What Are Your Takeaways?

These are some of lessons I’ve taken from photographing alongside others, insights that have shaped the way I see, shoot, and experience photography. Some of them came as surprises, others were slow realizations, but all of them have helped me grow.

I’m curious, have you spent time shooting with other photographers? What have you learned from the experience? Or if you haven’t yet, what would you like to take away from it? Let’s talk about it in the comments!