The Power of Shooting for Yourself (Not the Algorithm) | by Angie Mahlke
Once upon a time we picked up our cameras for a specific reason. Maybe it was the birth of your first child turning you into a sentimental sap with a strong desire to catalogue every single precious detail. Maybe it was a stroll through nature and the way the dew clung to an autumn leaf, and you were struck by the beauty of the natural world. Maybe when the world took a collective timeout during the pandemic you discovered a hobby that breathed new life into you, allowing you to soak up your small corner of the world in a fresh way.
But somewhere along the way the reasons got blurred, our motivation driven by the pesky machine known as The Algorithm instead of our original reasons for picking up our cameras in the first place.
What if we could return to that time before social media warped our inner artists? What if we could get back that original thirst for creating? What if I told you the secret to this is something as simple as picking up your camera on a regular basis?
Would you believe me if I said the solution is as easy as committing to a creative project? If you’re still skeptical, let me convince you.
Reconnecting with Your Creative Voice
Personal photography projects are a great way to commit yourself to the cause of reconnecting with your creative voice. My personal favorite is a Project 52 (p52), which is where you take a photo a week for a full year. There are many variations of this type of project, but most involve a specific weekly theme to shoot for.
Weekly themes allow space for experimentation and self-discovery. It’s the perfect sandbox to play in while you dip your toes back into finding your creative groove.
The Benefits of Consistent Practice
The old adage of practice makes perfect may feel cliché, but it rings true in this instance. If you aren’t regularly picking up your camera, then how can you expect any progress? No matter whether your goal is to reignite that original lust for creativity or to develop your own signature style, the plain and simple truth is you will need to put in the work.
This is where photography projects really come in handy. They keep you grounded and on track. If you’re someone who takes great pleasure in checking things off a list, a well-organized project is the perfect way to guide you. If you’re the direct opposite of that and feel restricted by a strict plan, consider something with more flexibility.
The Magical Power of Cheerleaders
Have you tried similar projects only to fail spectacularly? Don’t beat yourself up. We’ve all been there. Multiple times probably. Life tends to get in the way, and we find ourselves putting personal projects on the back burner.
I have a secret, though. Cheerleaders. Yes, you heard me: cheerleaders. We need people with metaphorical glittery pompoms rooting for us on the sidelines. Or, in this case, running the race alongside us, cameras in hand instead of pompoms.
If you’re wanting that extra boost to get you to the end, consider a group project. It’s a well-known fact that we are far more likely to succeed if we have people in our corner cheering us on.
I’ve been doing p52s for a few years shy of a decade, and although many things have changed since that first project to my current one, one thing holds true: it’s the community that propels me forward week after week.
The Proof is in the Receipts
It’s easy to commit to a project fresh off the new year when anything seems possible, but everyone (and I truly do mean everyone) hits a point where it seems hopeless. Maybe you’ve fallen so far behind that catching up feels insurmountable. Maybe your life is far too chaotic to find time to be creative. Maybe you’ve fallen into a deep rut and everything you create feels flat and unimaginative. No matter the reason for your Point of No Return, I assure you we’ve all been there (probably multiple times) and you are not alone in this.
How do you remedy this then? How do you overcome this hurdle to keep on keeping on?
Outside of reaching out to your community (because, again, we need cheerleaders!), the easiest way is to focus on your mindset. Picture yourself at the end of your project. It’s a wrap and you’re looking over your 52 images. What do you see?
I can tell you after years of experience that this is what you’ll see: a very real transformation. Like the subtitle says, the proof is in the receipts, and here is what you’ll notice:
Confidence – with regular practice, you’ll once again feel at peace with your camera, gaining momentum in the goals you outlined at the beginning of the year.
Technical skill – consistent practice yields results. This is a proven fact.
Style clarity – it may be a gradual upward slope, but I guarantee a recognizable personal style will emerge.
Portfolio building – 52 images ain’t no small thing. Even if every single one of those images isn’t your personal best, there’s something to be said about the process of creating that goes farther than the resulting product.
Resilience – you powered through the hard weeks, the creative ruts, the self-doubt and you made it. That sort of resilience can only be earned the hard way.
The Time to Commit
Now that I’ve sold you on the merits of photography projects, you’re going to do it, right? You’re going to commit to a year of personal growth and rediscovery, one that isn’t controlled by the algorithm or any other outside forces determined to strip away your resolve.
If you’re wanting cheerleaders who sport cameras instead of pompoms, I’d love to invite you to join the 2026 run of 52 Clicks. We’re a ragtag group with a variety of different styles and genre preferences, creating the perfect home for anyone to comfortably feel at home.
