Raise your hand if you’ve ever been caught in the dreaded photo rut. I’m willing to bet your hand is in the air right now, as is mine. Getting stuck is all part of the creative process. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when you’ll experience a lack of creativity. So if you’ve never experienced the joys of being uninspired, then just you wait. It’ll come.

If this is the case, and there’s no avoiding it, you might be wondering… “So, how do I get unstuck?”

Nikon D7000 | Lensbaby Edge 80 + Macro | f/2.8 | 1/100 sec. | ISO 200

Just recently I found myself gradually getting sucked into that black hole of uncreativity… is that even a word?? …Stay with me… I just wasn’t feeling the spark, the creativity, the passion I once had for photography. I guess I allowed the stresses of life to get in the way. I was in the middle of a big move and my life felt topsy-turvy. My love for photography was still there. I knew it. But I felt it was missing. I wanted to get my groove back. I just didn’t know where to begin again.

Nikon D7000 | Lensbaby Edge 80 + Macro | f/2.8 | 1/100 sec. | ISO 800

Then I remembered some advice I was given in college when my confidence was still in its infancy…

Just start.

It doesn’t matter if you’re ready or not, or if you feel ready or not. Just start.

You don’t have to have all the answers or even a grand vision. Just start.

So I did.

Nikon D7000 | Lensbaby Edge 80 + Macro | f/2.8 | 1/125 sec. | ISO 800

I grabbed my camera, my favorite creative lens, the Lensbaby, and set out on a photography adventure! I didn’t have a grand plan. I didn’t know what I was going to come away with. I just knew I needed to get back behind the camera before I lost my spark for good.

I found myself in my Mother-in-law’s garden in the beautiful evening light and found some gorgeous blooms that were just begging to be photographed. So I obliged.

Nikon D7000 | Lensbaby Edge 80 + Macro | f/2.8 | 1/100 sec. | ISO 200

And guess what, that spark I thought I was loosing began to ignite again. Little by little, as I shot bloom after beautiful bloom, I got more and more excited at what I was capturing. I was inspired. Ideas were flowing. I was getting my groove back!

This is how I’ve always known this photography gig is for me… it doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m photographing, if I can feel excitement over my artwork, then I’m unstoppable!

Nikon D7000 | Lensbaby Edge 80 + Macro | f/2.8 | 1/100 sec. | ISO 800

So if you’re feeling stuck… First, know that you’re not alone. And secondly, just start. Start somewhere. Start anywhere. Just start. And I promise you, too, will find that spark again.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you ever lost your creativity? What did you do to get your groove back? Join the conversation in the comments below…