The Two Forces That Will Grow—or Kill—Your Creativity

A letter to help you rediscover balance in your creative journey

Self-portrait shot by the author.

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

– Pablo Picasso

In the beginning, you know nothing.

You pick up a camera, a paintbrush, or a pen with no roadmap — only a hunger to explore. Frustration, criticism, and doubt test your resolve, but you persevere. Slowly, you see progress. Progress turns to skill. Skill grows into mastery. And with that mastery comes a shift.

The spark that once made creating so exhilarating begins to fade. Something feels… off.

When curiosity fades

Curiosity is the lifeblood of creativity.

It’s what drives you to explore without a destination, to experiment with bold ideas, and to embrace failure as part of the journey. Curiosity lives in the unknown, where the process itself feels just as rewarding as the result.

For photographers, curiosity might look like chasing moments that simply speak to you—moments you can’t quite explain but can’t resist capturing. There’s no agenda. You shoot first, discover meaning later.

But as mastery grows, curiosity often gets replaced by control.

Mastery brings control—but at a cost

Mastery thrives on control.

It’s what allows you to create with precision, to execute ideas exactly as you envisioned them. Control helps you refine your skills, tell compelling stories, and produce meaningful work.

But control has a dark side: it can overshadow the curiosity that once fueled your creativity. Instead of asking, “What can I try today?” you start asking, “What must I deliver?”

Your work becomes predictable. The thrill of exploration fades.

I learned this the hard way after spending a year immersed in fashion and runway photography. I’d built incredible opportunities and connections, but my work began to feel repetitive. I was following familiar patterns, choosing what felt “safe” over what truly excited me.

The spark that first drew me to photography had dimmed. And I knew something needed to change.

How to balance curiosity and control

Just like history moves in cycles, so does your creative journey. The trick is finding harmony between curiosity and control.

It’s tempting to put all your energy into one or the other. But too much curiosity leads to aimless wandering, while too much control stifles your growth. Creativity thrives when these forces coexist.

Here are some practices that have helped me:

1. Make time for play: Dedicate time to create without goals or expectations. You might be surprised by what emerges.

2. Challenge yourself: Growth happens at the edge of your comfort zone. Seek out projects that feel just beyond your expertise.

3. Alternate your focus: Let curiosity lead one project and control guide another. This ebb and flow keeps your work dynamic.

4. Reflect often: Pause regularly to ask, “How do I feel about my work? Am I balancing exploration with focus?” Adjust as needed.

Take control of your creativity

Curiosity is the foundation of creativity at every stage of your journey.

It’s what gives your work meaning and identity. It’s what inspires your next project. And it’s what keeps your craft uniquely yours.

As I look to the future, this is the lesson I’m carrying forward. My focus for 2025 is to prioritize projects that challenge and inspire me, reconnecting with the moments and people that first made me fall in love with photography. By grounding myself in curiosity, I hope to rediscover the joy I felt when I first picked up a camera.

So I’ll leave you with this: pause and reflect. Are you making space for curiosity in your creative process? If not, what small shift can you make today to bring it back?

If this resonated with you, check out my reflections on this very question in my 2024 review:

Rediscovering Joy: How 2025 Will Reshape My Photography Journey