How to Jumpstart Your Creativity When You’re Stuck in a Rut

It can be easy to fall into a rut, doing the same old, same old—where creativity doesn’t seem to come to us as easily as it used to. For those whom creativity is key to getting the job done—both photographers and filmmakers—we can’t afford to get in a rut and stay there, in a limbo-state where the wheels are spinning but the creativity isn’t flowing as easily as it used to. It happens to all of us at one point or another.

We turned to some of our Nikon Ambassadors to find out what their tips and secrets are for breaking out of a rut and getting back to feeling like you’re on top of your game. Read on to find out what works for them—it just might help you too.

Focus on the fundamentals

Todd Owyoung finds focusing on the fundamentals, such as looking for light, composition and moments to be a help when he needs to figuratively press the reset button on creativity. “I pick up my camera and wander out the door looking for beautiful light and any subject that catches my eye to make images for myself,” he explains, adding, “The excitement of seeing and discovering these little secret moments is something that I feel we all delight in as we fall in love with photography.”

Go outside, for some fresh air and invigorating activities

Immersing yourself in something inspirational, especially if it isn’t related to your work is a common theme among the ambassadors we spoke to. Alex Gorosh says that visiting an art museum or even hiking a mountain, “are good for cleansing the creative palate.”

Corey Rich agrees. “The key is to get away from computers, take a break from the stress of deadlines and just move. Getting the blood flowing and allowing your mind to wander is key! And the deeper the rut I am stuck in the greater the duration of the “break or exertion” I need,” he says.

Malike Sidibe also focuses on activities away from photography. He adds: “Forcing creativity usually makes it worse for me, so I step back and recharge. Spending time with friends in different creative fields really inspires me and gives me a fresh perspective.”

In addition to turning his mind to sports, Mike Mezeul II explains that he’ll look to other creatives for inspiration. “I really enjoy listening to other photographers' presentations while taking some down time. I find listening to their stories to be incredibly motivational and inspiring. Before I know it, I'm ready to grab my camera again and go create!”

Dig into your work and push through

Joe McNally told us he’ll dig into his 300+ library of photo books for freshness and inspiration but he will also work harder when he’s in a creative funk. He says he’ll, “take jobs and keep grinding. It will produce results, and when you get that picture, the one you come for, it is like the wind in your sails all over again.”

Joey Terrill also finds persistence to be the best solution to getting the creativity working again. He explains, “Almost every image I'm proud of has come just as I was starting to believe there wasn't a solution to be found. But, because I kept going, I discovered the image I was hoping to find—and often a better one. It sounds so simple, but focused attention always brings results!”

Collaborate or just create for yourself

Ben Davis explains, "As a husband-and-wife filmmaking team, our competitive spirit and drive to challenge each other keep us motivated and sharp. When we feel creatively stuck, we lean on each other to brainstorm and push through.” He suggests then that when you’re feeling stuck, find a collective group of friends to get together and sometimes the synergy of just being in the same space can ignite a spark of creativity.” Natasha [Davis] adds, “Another approach we love is shooting with no specific intention—simply practicing and experimenting to flex our creative muscles. We frequently step outside our usual genres, exploring sports, boudoir, fashion, or landscapes to gain fresh perspectives. It’s amazing how shifting focus can reawaken creativity.”

Deb Sandidge notes that experimenting with new techniques or different subjects from what she normally captures always creates a lot of energy for her. She does look back at some of her older work. “I find it helpful to review images from 1/3/5 years ago to see what worked best, what excited me and what do I want to revisit,” she says. Deb also says she’s energized by mentoring others. “Sharing creative tips and techniques inspires me because I see the excitement of others as they learn new things,” she adds.

Jerry Ghionis told us: “I book myself in like a client and try to do at least one shoot a month that feeds my soul.” This also helps him expand his photographic repertoire in order to appeal to potential clients. Being curious and a “professional student” allows him to constantly grow as an artist, he adds.

Indulge in self-care

For D’Ann Boal, going out and making photographs for herself is key: “Sometimes all I need is the self-care of photography and to take a few photos that are just for me.” She’ll also put her phone down to take a break from the constant noise of social media can pull her out of a rut immediately. And like others who like to hike, D’Ann says its common for her to come back from a long walk with so many ideas she’ll run to her journal to write them all down.

Sharrone Calafiore also finds self-care to be a huge help in getting through the times when the creative ideas just aren’t there. “I think for me personally I give myself some grace and try to step away from everything first and foremost, keeping social media to a minimum for a bit—just to reset the mind. Exercise, drinking water, and getting better sleep is a magic trio for body and mind,” she explains. Another trick she has is going back and watching some of her favorite pieces of work. “I swear it works!”

Keep your camera close at hand

Vincent Versace is reminded of a college writing teacher who said to never stop writing at the end of a chapter, but to at least start the first sentence of the next chapter. He says, “It keeps the flow going. I’ve applied that to all things I do creatively. I always carry a camera and whenever something takes me, I take a picture of it.”

Dixie Dixon has a bunch of helpful tips for getting out of a rut. They include changing your environment, which could be as simple as a day trip to shoot just for the love of photography and life itself. She says, “When I only have time to do a staycation in my area, I love to explore new parts of my city with my Z f camera to areas that I haven't ever taken the time to explore.” Other things she’ll do include challenging herself just to create one personal project a month for herself. She explains: “It doesn't have to be anything you'd even show anyone but just to create something that inspires you personally will help get you out of that rut is super helpful.”
Another great idea is to create a vision board. This is something Dixie says she does a couple times a year and can be a huge help. “Basically you write down your goals for the next 6-12 months and cut out of magazines pictures that illustrate those goals and put it together on a cork board you can view every day. This will align yourself with your goals and start getting you excited about accomplishing them. All in all, this has made a huge impact in staying inspired creatively.”

Gilmar Smith has learned that when she gets stuck in a rut, pushing herself to create for the sake of creating is key. She explains: “One of my go-to tricks is to shake things up completely. Step outside your usual genre, experiment, and play. Grab your camera, play, experiment, and remind yourself that photography is supposed to be fun. That’s when the magic happens.” Another trick she uses is to give herself small creative challenges. “Pick up something totally mundane, like a household object, and photograph it in unexpected ways. Play with light, angles, lenses, or storytelling. Or pick a random word and visually interpret it through your photography. These small exercises get those creative muscles working again and train your eyes to see the magic in the ordinary. Ultimately, creativity thrives on movement, experimentation, and playfulness. So don’t overthink it, just start, and let the magic unfold,” she concludes.

Whether taking a break from your work, making photographs or films for yourself, turning down the noise of social media or looking to others for inspiration, there are many things you can do to feel a renewed sense of inspiration and creativity. We hope that some of the ideas from our ambassadors spark your creativity to get the wheels spinning and excite you about image-making once more.