Photographic Style: Why You Don’t Need Just One Photography Style

If you ask ten photographers what “style” means, you’ll get ten different answers. Some will say it’s your editing. Others will say it’s your composition. A few will insist you only get one style for your whole career. I don’t buy that.

Some photographers do find one style that works for them and stick with it for life. It becomes their visual identity, instantly recognisable. But for many of us, style is fluid. It adapts to the subject, the conditions, and the story we’re trying to tell.

For example, my classic car photography has a muted, timeless feel, with softer tones and slower, deliberate compositions. My motorsport work is the complete opposite, full of high contrast, bold colours, and every bit of grit and speed left in. Both are my work, but the approach is tailored to the subject.

Your style can also change depending on who you’re shooting for. I’ve had brand campaigns where the brief demanded bright, punchy tones with a commercial polish, and magazine features that leaned more towards storytelling and atmosphere. In each case, the core of my approach stayed the same, but the execution shifted to fit the project.

And here’s something worth keeping in mind. Style evolves. Look back at your work from five years ago, and you might barely recognise it. That’s not failure — that’s growth. Our tastes change, trends come and go, and our technical skills improve. I’ve had shots I loved at the time that I’d never process the same way now, and that’s a good thing.

Presets Can Save You or Sink You

Presets can be a huge time-saver. They give you a base to work from and can help keep your work consistent. But they’re not a magic one-click fix. Every photo has its own light, colours, and mood, so presets need to be adjusted to work properly.

Beginners often make the mistake of buying dozens of presets thinking it’s a shortcut to better photos. It isn’t. Relying too heavily on them can stilt your creativity and slow your progress. Instead of learning how to create a look from scratch, you end up clicking through filters hoping one will work. That’s not developing your style, that’s outsourcing it.

Over time, I’ve developed my own presets that match my shooting style. They speed up my editing and keep my results consistent without making my images all feel identical. I only use a small set — designed for different conditions like overcast days, golden hour, or indoor work. You don’t need hundreds. You just need the right ones that you know inside out.

They’re also invaluable when time is tight. In motorsport, teams often want photos posted to social media during the race, sometimes within minutes. Having my own presets ready means I can edit quickly on-site without sacrificing the quality or look of my work.

Why Editing Is Only Half the Picture

Style isn’t just about the grade. It’s shaped by your composition, your lens choice, your use of light, and the moments you decide to capture. Two photographers could use the exact same preset on different images and still produce completely different results.

Gear plays a part too. Certain lenses, sensors, and even apertures can become part of your look without you realising it. Some photographers even build their signature style around specific glass or camera systems.

Trends Fade, Your Style Shouldn’t

Context shapes style. Lighting, location, and weather can push you towards a certain look, whether that’s moody tones on a foggy morning or vibrant energy at a summer race.

Trends are another factor. They can be fun to play with, but chasing them constantly can leave your portfolio looking inconsistent. Experiment, but keep your core style strong enough to outlast what’s popular this month.

Take Inspiration, Not Copies

Looking at other photographers’ work is one of the best ways to learn. Study how they use light, frame a subject, and handle colour. But copying their style directly will only ever make your work look like a lesser version of theirs.

Instead, keep a visual inspiration folder — a private collection of images that spark ideas. Don’t replicate them. Analyse why they work, what details stand out, and how you could create something with the same feeling but your own execution.

If you want to go one step further, print some of your own work and mix it in with the images in your inspiration folder. Lay them out together. It’s a quick way to see what’s consistent in your style and what feels out of place.

Story First, Style Second

A technically perfect image without a clear story is forgettable. Every decision in editing should serve a purpose. Are you aiming for warmth and nostalgia? Raw speed and aggression? A sense of stillness? Your style should reinforce that message, not distract from it.

Even if you work across different styles, there can still be a signature that makes your work recognisable. Maybe it’s the way you handle light flares, your use of negative space, or your framing choices. Those traits become the constant thread that ties your work together.

I make a habit of revisiting older work. It’s a great way to see what’s stayed consistent and what’s changed. Sometimes you spot habits that need to go, other times you rediscover something worth bringing back.

In the end, your style isn’t something you find once and guard forever. It’s something you build, adapt, and refine every time you pick up a camera. Whether you stick to one look or adjust for each subject, the key is making sure every image still feels like you.