Why Childlike Curiosity Makes You a Better Photographer
What’s poppin’ people? It’s Dante. Set your body in motion without any preconceived notions of what you will find. Today, I’m thinking about what it means to see the world with the eyes of a child and why this matters in the realm of photography.
Infinite Ways to See
Over the years of photographing, I’ve found a breakthrough: recognizing that there are infinite ways to photograph everything. Everything is truly photographable, but one must go outside with fresh eyes each day, in the spirit of play, to achieve a flow state of creation.
“What will reality manifest to be in a photograph?”
Let go of preconceived ideas of what a photograph should be. Forget the photo books. Forget the polished images. Even a pile of trash holds potential.
The Spirit of Play
What does it mean to play? What does it mean to be a kid? A kid breaks the rules. A kid sees the world differently.
“What would a child photograph?”
Pick up the camera and photograph through childlike curiosity. It’s easy to make a strong photograph. It’s easy to provoke a sensation in a viewer—whether through strong content, a decisive moment, or form. But the real challenge is letting go.
Letting Go of Control
When you release control and simply go with the flow, you find more joy in the process. You find more meaning in making photographs.
Too many people put four corners around life and say:
“Look at this! I did it. I made the photo. This is the decisive moment.”
But life is beyond those four corners. Our photographs are merely a reflection of the life we live and our lust for it.
Photography and Joy
Want to be a better photographer? Be more joyful. The more joy you feel, the more you’ll photograph. Think about a kid—
- They scream, shout, laugh, cry.
- They react to the world around them.
- They follow their whims.
To truly enter a creative flow state, you must tap into that childlike energy. The rational mind can only get you so far.
Beyond Form: The Essence of Light
Go beyond form. Return to light.
“I remember being a kid, just eager for the day. The sun’s coming up—I’m ready to go out and play.”
As an adult, I live that dream—spending all day under the trees, photographing, exploring, playing.
Work as Play
Society says, “Grow up.” But what if work is play?
When I dig a hole with a shovel, cut back a tree, or plant a flower, it’s a dance. It’s choreography. The same applies to photography. The way I move my feet, raise the camera, press the shutter—it all becomes natural.
“When you enter that flow state, you’re really just in the spirit of play.”
Effortless Action
When you stop taking yourself so seriously, everything becomes effortless. Each click of the shutter, each step, each new project—it all flows.
The Key to Growth
- Embrace play.
- Tap into your inner child.
- Stop forcing it.
If you’re not inspired to pick up your camera, maybe it’s not for you. But for me? The camera is glued to me. I can’t cut it off my wrist.
Return to the Garden
Look at the flowers. They bloom effortlessly.
“Wow. It’s only been a few weeks since these were planted, and here they are. The cycle of life.”
Photography, like life, isn’t something you can just talk about—you have to do it.
“I can assure you with 100% certainty: if you stop taking yourself so seriously, you will improve your photography.”
Cheers.