Sometimes the most counterintuitive advice can be the most valuable. For photographers constantly seeking to improve their craft, there's one technique that rarely gets discussed in tutorials or photography forums: taking a break from shooting altogether. This unconventional approach to enhancing photographic skills involves deliberately putting the camera down and creating distance from the practice.
Sebastian Oakley, an experienced photographer whose journey has taken him from hobby enthusiast to professional, recently shared insights about this rarely discussed "hack." His career has been remarkably fortunate, evolving from personal passion into professional work that allowed him to photograph in places he once only dreamed of visiting. Now working as a photography journalist while continuing to shoot for personal enjoyment, Oakley has gained a unique perspective on the cyclical nature of photographic passion.
The core principle behind this approach draws from the old saying that "distance makes the heart grow fonder" – a concept that applies as powerfully to photography as it does to relationships. Oakley's biggest lesson learned throughout his career wasn't found in any manual or YouTube tutorial, but rather in the simple act of stepping away from his camera entirely.
"The best thing you can sometimes do for your photography is to stop. To take a break. Put the camera down. Step back," Oakley explains. While this advice may sound counterintuitive to photographers eager to improve their skills, the reasoning becomes clear when considering the creative benefits of intentional pause.
This deliberate distance creates essential space for photographers to breathe, think, and reflect on their work without the constant pressure of production. That space becomes fertile ground for creativity to grow and evolve on the photographer's own terms, rather than being driven by social media algorithms or external pressures for constant output.
Oakley has always focused on documenting the beauty found in mundane, ordinary moments – the quiet scenes that most people overlook. However, he reached a point where he felt disconnected from his own photographic work, not due to lack of caring, but because he had never given himself the opportunity to pause and examine his motivations for creating the images he was making.
The photographer recently wrote about the transformative power of taking pictures solely for personal satisfaction, and how this mindset can radically shift one's perspective on the world. However, he credits the break he took before this realization as being essential to his growth. Without that period of stepping away, he believes he wouldn't have rediscovered the part of himself that finds value in imperfection, sees charm in everyday moments, and recognizes beauty in unplanned circumstances.
When Oakley eventually returned to photography after his break, his vision had not only returned but had become more refined. The quiet humility that comes from stepping away helped him lose the noise, pressure, and obsession with constant output that can plague working photographers. He was no longer chasing the next great frame or worrying about social media performance, instead beginning to rediscover the simple joy of seeing the world with his eyes rather than just through his lens.
This type of perspective cannot be forced or manufactured – it requires living without the camera, missing the practice, and returning to it only when it feels genuinely right. The process allows photographers to reconnect with their authentic vision rather than getting caught up in technical perfectionism or external validation.
For photographers currently feeling lost, uninspired, or uncertain about their creative direction, Oakley encourages embracing the pause without guilt. "Let yourself put the camera down without guilt. Live your life," he advises. The key is waiting until you're truly ready – not just eager, but genuinely prepared – to pick up the camera again.
The benefits of this approach extend beyond simple creative refreshment. During breaks from photography, practitioners often develop a deeper understanding of what initially drew them to the medium, helping them reconnect with their authentic voice and vision. This process can help distinguish between personal artistic goals and external pressures from social media, clients, or peer expectations.
When photographers do return to their practice after such breaks, many find that their work has evolved in unexpected ways. The time away allows for subconscious processing of previous experiences, leading to new approaches to composition, subject matter, and storytelling that might not have emerged through continuous practice alone.
Ultimately, this "hack" of putting the camera down represents a fundamental shift in how photographers approach their craft – moving from quantity-focused shooting to quality-focused creation, and from external validation to internal satisfaction. For those willing to embrace this counterintuitive approach, the results can be transformative, leading to photography that moves forward in ways that constant shooting might never achieve.
