Forever an Amateur: Embracing Curiosity in Photography

What’s popping, people? It’s Dante, and today, I’m walking around Philadelphia on this dark and gloomy day, thinking about a philosophy that keeps me inspired: forever an amateur.

Forget What You Think You Know

Many photographers look for a source of “motivation” or “inspiration.” What if I told you that the easiest way to stay motivated in photography is by forgetting everything you think you know?

When you let go of preconceived notions about what makes a great photograph, you give yourself permission to explore without limits. Return to day one, like it’s the first time you’ve ever held a camera. See the world with fresh eyes.

“Photography is merely a reflection of your lust for life.”

Learn on the Street

For me, the street is a place to learn. I never want to stop learning. If you step onto the street with the mindset that everything has been done before or nothing here is interesting, you will inevitably lose your curiosity, become unmotivated, and produce less work.

Tips for Staying Curious:

Treat every day like it’s your first day with a camera: Approach each day with a sense of wonder.
Let life flow towards you: Be patient with your progress and allow the world to reveal itself.
Detach from the results: Don’t worry about whether the photos will be good or not—just focus on the process.

Photography as a Way of Being

When I hit the street, I make sure to stay curious, like it’s always my first day outside with a camera. To return to this amateur spirit every single day is critical to practicing street photography. Otherwise, it can become tedious or boring if you are always on the hunt.

“Simply let life flow towards you, be patient with your progress, and don’t be attached to the end results.”

Photography takes time, patience, and a willingness to explore and learn every day. It’s not about chasing after perfect images but about allowing the world to unfold in front of you and responding with your intuition. When you see a puddle, let it become a portal into another world.

Never Become a Master

I believe that the only way to keep the fire alive is to never consider yourself a master. Always be a student of life, ready to absorb new experiences and learn from each one. This is what keeps me passionate about life and photography—treating every day like it’s day one.

Remember:

Photography is about seeing deeply, not just capturing moments.
Forget everything you think you know and explore like a child.
Stay an amateur forever, and the world will always have something new to show you.

So, if you’re looking for that spark of inspiration or motivation to practice photography, try embracing the unknown. It’s worked for me, and maybe it’ll work for you too.

Forget what you know, and treat every day like it’s day one. Appreciate the beauty in the mundane, and you might just find yourself amazed and inspired through the simplest of things.