139 ☼ Rediscovering My Creative Voice
139 ☼ Rediscovering My Creative Voice
Did you find your authentic voice yet as a photographer?
Dear friends,
In this week's letter, I reflect on authenticity in my work and crystalize some personal thoughts around discovering my creative voice, letting it slip away, and then re-discovering it again.
Sprinkled throughout are some of my favorite recent images and a few new edits of older work that I identified as most representative of my creative direction.
☀️ Shout out to the good folks at Squarespace for helping make this issue possible ☀️
Housekeeping
The current exhibition at WIHH Gallery, featuring Guy Pinhas’ beautiful project "37000" is the fifth installment of the Process Projected series. For additional details on Guy, his work, exhibition opening hours, and more, go here.
Rediscovering My Voice
I've been mulling over something that’s been on my mind lately—the idea of rediscovering my creative voice after somewhat straying from the heart of what drives me as a photographer.
As many of you know, transitioning my photography from New York City to Amsterdam hasn’t been without its challenges. It’s a new place, a fresh start, but also a different beat from what I’m used to. The pace, the budgets—everything required a shift in approach. I found myself adapting, taking on more, maybe spreading myself too thin at times.
I found there’s a big risk there—when you stretch too far, your unique perspective can get diluted. As photographers, we’re drawn to stories, to moments that resonate with us personally. It’s a privilege to step into unfamiliar worlds, meet interesting new people, and shed light on them through our lens. But over the course of the last year, I’ve sensed a slight shift, a subtle departure from my own visual voice.
Noticing this change is a reality check, really. Why should a photo editor or creative director choose my work if it looks like someone else’s? That’s not where I thrive.
One of the main lessons I’ve learned as a professional photographer is simple: you get hired for the work you put out there. If your portfolio doesn't showcase your distinctive style and the kind of work you want to make, how will the right people recognize you’re a fit for the work you want to do? It's like the "dress for the job you want" principle of photography.
A key piece of advice I always offer photographers is to take initiative and self-assign shoots that reflect the kind of work and style you want to be hired to do. Don't wait for others, do it yourself by creating those shoots that speak to you.
That’s how “One of Many” was born—a personal project that kickstarted my career by celebrating the diverse creatives across twelve American cities. That became my wheelhouse—naturalistic portraits, authentic connections. I did that for a few years and was fortunate to be hired by quality publications and brands to do exactly that kind of work for them.
Then came the lockdown—a challenging time financially, but an accidental goldmine creatively. Without the opportunity to do any client work, I hit the abandoned streets of a Vancouver suburb daily, capturing small bits of beauty and surprise that I previously had rushed right past in all my hectic energy.
Over 123 sun-drenched and sweat-stained days of pounding the pavement with my camera, I created a large body of work that would eventually become my first photo book, NOTICE—a testament to the power of dedicated observation.
During this period, I developed a completely new way of observing the world and experienced significant growth as a photographer. These insights would later influence my editorial storytelling and portraiture work.
At this point in the story we circle back to the beginning. This is where I moved continents and landed in a completely new market and work environment where I had little to no professional network. Thankfully I did have a good portfolio and a great client list to show off, but networking and finding your people just happens to take a long time, especially in cultures that are less abundantly open than what I was used to in New York City.
So over the course of the past year, amidst some great professional successes like being published in the New York Times for the first time and working with clients I love, I’ve been strugglinh with a nagging feeling—a sense that my work wasn't entirely true to myself. During certain shoots and edits, I found myself creating decent to good work that satisfied others, but it didn't fully align with my unique visual voice nor did it push me creatively. While I enjoyed the client interactions, the work didn't feel like it was authentically mine.
However, thanks to supportive clients who have encouraged me to be true to myself, Nastya's support and belief, and support from fellow photographers and institutions that gave me the freedom to pursue the stories I'm passionate about, I've started to find clarity. This renewed sense of purpose has given me a burst of energy to once again take some more creative risks, produce more authentic work, and pitch more clients on my own vision and voice.
Is there risk involved? Perhaps. But playing it safe won’t sustain me either, not financially nor creatively. I’m doubling down on personal projects while also pushing to infuse my client work with my aesthetic and touch. It’s about pitching boldly, and showcasing my voice through projects like “Creatives In/AMS” and “The Best Medicine.”
This isn’t a complete overhaul—it’s a recalibration, a deliberate shift toward authenticity. And you, dear friends, are a part of that. Thank you for joining me, for sharing this space as I figure out my way and try to assist you with yours. Let’s keep capturing, keep growing, and keep learning together.
Note: After a very long break I have started consistently posting to my Instagram feed again as part of my new efforts to showcase work that is in line with my voice. Follow along here.
Additional Reading
If you enjoyed this issue I’d love for you to share it with friends.
Next Week: The first steps of making a new book: NOTICE Journal Volume One (this time for real)
Keep shooting and take good care of yourselves and others. <3
Wesley
PS Would you like to support Process? Please order my photo book NOTICE. <3
Gear & Tools Used
Camera: Canon 5D Mark IV + Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM lens. Fujifilm XPro2. Pentax LX, Pentax 67ii.
Film Stocks: Kodak Portra, Kodak Tri-X, Ilford Delta 400.
Shout out to MPB.com, my go-to place to buy, sell, and trade used cameras and lenses. I love their service and am a paying customer. MPB caters to over 625,000 visual storytellers and provides a 6-month warranty. Thanks for the support, MPB! <3
Lab: All my analog work is developed and scanned by my friends at Carmencita Film Lab. They’re my favorite lab in the world. Use code “PROCESS” to get a free upgrade.
Website: Shout out to Squarespace for supporting Process. If you need a website, I highly recommend using Squarespace. I’ve been a paying customer for over 10 years (!!?). It’s an easy, professional, and affordable way to have a beautiful portfolio website and webshop. Use the code PROCESS10 for 10% off your first order.
it feels like finding your true voice and maintaining it amidst all the noise out there is a true challenge. thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your process so openly 🙏🏻.
I absolutely support you for taking the path that feels most authentic. And I believe in the power of your voice, your eye and what you put out in the world ✨.
Looking forward to seeing what comes out of your recalibration!