Get Motivated and Inspired! 10 Tips on How to Get the Creative Juices Flowing!

There are times in any digital photographer's day when creative juices need to be stimulated. Here are 10 tips that will help get the inspiration flowing!

Pick up a beautiful book with photos; look at a newspaper or surf the web. Something will catch your eye, and creativity will burst forth.

Exercise. Take time out to walk or do some other form of exercise. Make sure you're by yourself so you can take time to look around. Always carry your camera along.

Bounce ideas off of others. Verbalize your thoughts with a friend. You'll soon discover that things will fall into place and you'll begin to visualize new subjects to shoot.

Start taking random photos of anything and everything that's in your path.

Write down a list of objects, people, places and things that you want to photograph.

Visit a gallery. Stroll through and check out all the art, the photos and sculptures.

Visit a bookstore and look through the photography aisle.

Listen to instrumental music and think about the images that come to mind and what you're inspired to shoot.

Learn a new skill related to your camera. Study the manual or go online and learn more about your particular camera.

Think of objects or landscapes you've never photographed before. Go out and do it!

Creativity is very much related to motivation and inspiration. Often people don't take action until they're inspired, but professionals work whether or not they are inspired. In fact, "perspiration" or discipline often leads to creative inspiration. As you start on a project, the more you'll be inspired to complete it. The same is true when shooting photos.

Don’t let a dry spell get you down. Everyone has them. The secret is to enjoy your work AND the breaks in between. As you take the time to learn more about your energy working patterns, the more you’ll understand what makes you tick and in turn, click!