Lessons I Learned in 2025 as a Photographer

2025 was a strange but valuable year for me. Not strange in a bad way, but definitely a year of figuring things out.

As a photographer, I have always experimented with different directions, like street photography, travel photography, and portraits, trying to see what fits me best. Last year, I learned a lot about what really excites me, what aligns with my personality, and what does not.

If you have ever felt unsure about your photography path, or if you have struggled to find work that energizes you, I think you will relate to this.

Trying a More Stable Path

At the start of 2025, I decided to try something a little different. I thought maybe it was time to focus on portraits, build a local client base, and maybe even work toward having my own studio.

On paper, it made sense. A stable career, regular clients, predictable work hours. Who would not want that?

But here is the thing. It did not excite me the way I thought it would. Shooting portraits and marketing myself locally felt fine, but it did not give me the energy or inspiration I get from traveling, exploring new places, and capturing spontaneous moments.

This is not about rejecting portrait photography. I still enjoy it and will continue doing it occasionally. It is more about realizing that travel photography gives me the freedom and excitement that really motivates me. Trying to niche down into just one style does not really fit me, and that is okay. My work thrives when I can explore, experiment, and follow what excites me most.

When Motivation Fades, It Is Usually a Signal

One of the biggest lessons I learned last year is that when motivation fades, it is often not a sign of laziness or failure.

I was not burned out, I was not overwhelmed. I just did not feel drawn to a certain direction. And noticing that was huge. Motivation is not just about discipline or effort. It is about alignment.

If your work does not naturally pull you forward, it might be time to step back and consider whether the path itself is the right one.

Your Lifestyle Shapes Your Work

Another lesson is that your photography should reflect your personality and lifestyle, not just what seems logical or profitable.

For me, travel energizes me. I love discovering new places, meeting new people, and seeing life from different perspectives. Staying in one place, even if it is stable, does not light me up the same way.

I have never really fit into a classic, predictable lifestyle, and I never thought that was something I needed to fix. 2025 confirmed that it is okay to embrace that and design my photography around it. Portraits, travel, experimentation. The key is following what excites me.

Returning to Travel Photography

After experimenting with a more settled path, I realized that returning to travel photography was not a step backward. It was coming back with clarity and purpose.

I now understand my style better, know what kind of work I enjoy, and have a clearer sense of the life I want to build. Travel photography does not just make me happy. It aligns with my personality and creative energy.

Meanwhile, I will still shoot portraits occasionally because I enjoy them. It is about balance, not limitation.

My Focus for 2026

So what is next?

My goal this year is simple. Build a solid foundation, find my audience, create work I genuinely care about, and slowly work toward a remote lifestyle.

For now, that means focusing on local travel photography, mainly in Belgium and the Netherlands. I want to explore, document, and share these places properly. Eventually, I will turn these experiences into a guide for anyone who wants to visit or photograph my country.

It is not flashy. It is not perfect. But it feels right. And for me, that is enough.

Reflection

If there is one big lesson from 2025, it is this:

If your work feels heavy or your motivation is low, it might not be a problem with your skills. It might just be that the path you are on does not excite you.

Experimenting, testing different directions, and paying attention to what energizes you can teach you more than any formula or plan. And sometimes, the path that excites you most is not the one that looks safest. It is the one that feels like you.