What It's like to be a Photographer | How Photographers See the World Differently | And How you Can Start Thinking Like a Photographer

AB
Mar 15
4 min read

Updated: Apr 1

Have you ever walked down the street with a photographer? If you have, you’ll know it’s nothing like a regular stroll. While others rush past, a photographer lingers, eyes darting between light and shadow, seeing stories in the way the sun hits a brick wall or how a child’s laughter fills the air. The world isn’t just a place to exist—it’s a canvas waiting to be framed. It's almost like you see little moments in slow motion as you walk past. It's one of my favorite ways to relax-looking at everyday normal things, like sidewalks, and imagining all of the different ways that I could turn it into a one page story in the form of a photograph. I remember on mine and my husbands first date, I said to him (with the biggest eyes and rawest passion by the way), "Oh my gosh, I looove these street lights along this bridge, they are so beautiful." I'll never forget the way he lo0ked at me, like I had just escaped the looney bin (like why in the world is this girl drooling over street lights on a random bridge in Orlando). But, if you love photography or art in general, like me, then you know what it's like to feel passionate about the silliest things.

But what is it that makes photographers see differently? And how can anyone, whether an aspiring artist or a casual hobbyist, start noticing the magic hidden in the ordinary? Let's talk about a few ways you can train your photographer eye!

boy smiling and splashing in water with mountains and sunsets light

1. The Secret Language of Light

For most people, light is just something that lets them see. For a photographer, light is a language—one that speaks in highlights and shadows, in soft glows and harsh contrasts.

Think of golden hour, that magical time just after sunrise or before sunset when the world seems bathed in honey. To the untrained eye, it’s simply “nice lighting,” but to a photographer, it’s an invitation. It’s the chance to make a mundane street look cinematic or turn an ordinary portrait into something ethereal.

Next time you’re outside, stop and look at how light falls on a building, a tree, or a person’s face. Is it soft or harsh? Does it create a dramatic shadow or a gentle glow? Learning to observe light is the first step to truly seeing as a photographer does.

2. Details No One Else Notices

A photographer is the person who stops mid-conversation to admire the way raindrops cling to a window. Who notices the way an elderly couple’s hands fit perfectly together or how a gust of wind makes a child’s hair dance.

We are visual storytellers, documenting the moments most people overlook. A crack in the pavement isn’t just a crack—it’s a leading line. A foggy morning isn’t just weather—it’s atmosphere.

Try this: Spend 10 minutes in one place and challenge yourself to notice five details you'd usually ignore. Maybe it's the texture of peeling paint on a door or the way someone’s reflection appears in a puddle. Those small details can turn into powerful images.

3. Seeing in Compositions

Have you ever looked through a viewfinder and suddenly everything just clicked? That’s composition at work. Photographers naturally arrange elements in a way that feels balanced, interesting, or emotionally compelling.

While most people simply “snap” a picture, photographers think in terms of leading lines, framing, negative space, and the rule of thirds—all of which guide the viewer’s eye exactly where they want it to go.

Challenge: Instead of taking a random photo, pause. Ask yourself: What is the main subject? Where do I want the viewer’s eyes to land? How can I use lines, framing, or color to enhance the shot?

4. The Art of Waiting (and Chasing) the Perfect Shot

A street photographer might wait hours in the same spot for the right person to walk through the perfect patch of light. A wildlife photographer could spend days tracking a subject, only to get one perfect shot. And let’s not even talk about landscape photographers who hike for miles before sunrise just to catch the right moment.

Being a photographer means you have to have patience . It’s about anticipating moments before they happen and knowing when to click the shutter.

Next time you’re out shooting, don’t rush. Instead of taking a dozen quick snaps, wait. Observe the scene, anticipate movement, and time your shot for that perfect moment. Slow down and then try it again.

5. Emotion Over Perfection | This is How Photographers see the World

Photographers learn early on that technical perfection isn’t everything. A slightly out-of-focus shot with raw emotion will always be more powerful than a perfectly sharp image that says nothing.

Think of the most iconic images in history—many aren’t technically “perfect,” but they make you feel something. That’s what matters.

Next time you shoot, focus on emotion first. Whether it’s joy, nostalgia, or mystery—what do you want people to feel when they see your photo? This is where prompts come in if you are doing a session.

6. The Never-Ending Curiosity

The best photographers are also the most curious people. They wonder, "What would this look like from a different angle?" "How would this scene change if I used a different lens?" "What happens if I break the rules?"

They experiment. They play. They make mistakes. And through that process, they create something truly unique.

Try this: Pick a subject and photograph it five different ways. Change your angle, your focus, your lighting, or your framing. See how each variation tells a different story.

Final Thoughts

To a photographer, the world is never boring. There is always a story waiting to be told, a frame waiting to be composed, and a moment waiting to be frozen in time.

If you want to see the world like a photographer, slow down. Notice. Chase the light. Find beauty in the ordinary. Because once you do, you’ll never look at the world the same way again.

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