In today’s society we always have the pressured to be ON.
On time, on our phones, on call, on the internet, on social media, on demand for our families… It can truly be overwhelming! So the burning question is (amidst all this craziness) how are we supposed to be able to make time for photography?!
It can definitely be challenging! But like anything else, if you really want it to happen, you will find time to carve out for your passion.

Make Time For Photography!

Don’t Make Excuses

I’m gonna give you a little bit of tough love here, but it’s time to stop making excuses and really time for you to make time for photography! Don’t get me wrong, I know there are those non-negotiables that HAVE to get done during the day, but what about after that? You know, when you’re spending those extra few minutes you have watching (another) cute cat video on Facebook? Yeah, that’s 5 minutes you could be out spending on honing your skills!
I want to stop hearing excuses like:

“I don’t feel inspired to photograph anything”
“It’s too bright/dark/cloudy/hot/cold to shoot today”
“I can’t get the pictures I want with the gear I have”

Stop making excuses and go make pictures!

Put It On the Schedule

For me, if I don’t write something down in my calendar, it doesn’t happen. That is a visual reminder for me to know what I absolutely need to do, so I make the things I’ve written down a priority. Schedule 20 minutes a day or an hour or two a week solely dedicated to working on photography. Write it down and don’t change it for anything or anyone because that is just as important as all the other meetings you fit into your busy life.

Carry Your Camera With You

You know the cute camera bag that you have your camera tucked safely away in? The one that’s sitting on a shelf somewhere begging to be pulled out and used?? Yeah, that one.
It’s super adorable (and I bet it’s in a fun color!), but when your camera is in that bag, tucked away, it’s out of sight and out of mind. Part of the way you can make time for photography is to get into the habit of having your camera readily accessible so you can grab it and snap a picture whenever the mood strikes you. That way, at the end of the day, you will have 10+ images that you never would have taken otherwise!

Get a Photo Buddy

I don’t know about you, but I am not a big fan of working out. If I am left to my own devices, I will make every excuse in the book as to why everything else is more important than going for a run or popping in a workout dvd. I know that I do better when I have a buddy to hold me accountable and work out with.
The same idea can be used for photography! I’m a big fan of finding people who share your interests and passions and doing things with them! There are lots of great photo groups online, and even local Meetup.com groups (such as the Picture This Photography Club) that you can take part in.

Find Your Inspiration

Whether it’s being inspired by your cute little kiddos, the blaze of colors in the sunset, or focusing the each distinct whisker of your pet, there are things to inspire you everywhere!
If you are like me and do better with prompts, search for a Photo a Day challenge where they give you a word as a starting point (green, 5 o’clock, abstract… it could be anything!), and you take it and interpret it however you want. Really a cool idea if you are in a rut and need some creative inspiration!