Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Are you stuck in a photography rut?
In this episode of Volume 3 of the Essential Landscape Photography Skills series, I break down why so many photographers stop improving — and more importantly, how to actually fix it.
The reality is simple. If you keep doing the same thing, you will get the same results. In this video, I walk through practical ways to break that cycle, from trying new genres and learning new techniques to changing your gear, shooting in different conditions, and stepping outside your comfort zone.
I also share my own experience of moving beyond landscape photography and what that taught me about growth, creativity, and pushing past limitations.
If your photography feels repetitive, unmotivating, or stale — this video is for you.
#photography #growth #change
📥 Download Volume 1 & 2 (FREE)
Join the newsletter and get both ebooks here: darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter
🎥 What You’ll Learn in This Video:
Why photographers get stuck in a rut
How repetition is limiting your progress
Practical ways to break the cycle
How trying new things improves your photography
Why discomfort is necessary for growth
💬 Join the Conversation
Are you currently in a photography rut, or have you found a way out of one? Let me know in the comments.
🤝 Support the Channel
If you’d like to support the channel and get access to exclusive content, check out Patreon here: patreon.com/cw/darrenjspoonley
00:00 - The Reality of the Photography Rut
01:10 - Why We Hit a Plateau: The Trap of Repetition
02:25 - Breaking the Cycle: Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
03:45 - Changing Your Approach to Gear and Conditions
05:08 - The Power of Trying New Genres (Lessons from Beyond Landscape)
06:30 - How Intentional Discomfort Sparks New Creativity
07:55 - Practical Exercises to Get Unstuck This Week
09:12 - Mindset Shifts for Long-Term Artistic Growth
📩 Free Resources
📸 Get your FREE copy of *Essential Landscape Photography Skills Volume 1 & 2* when you subscribe to my newsletter:
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter)
📍 Download your FREE Location Guide:
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/store-darrenjspoonley/photography-location-guide-lite](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/store-darrenjspoonley/photography-location-guide-lite)
---
## 📚 Books & Guides
📘 COAST (Printed Book)
A physical collection of my coastal landscape work from around Ireland.
📘 Ireland Photography Location Guides
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/locationguidesoverview](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/locationguidesoverview)
📘 The Alphabet Of Landscape Photography Vol I
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/alphabet-series](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/alphabet-series)
---
## 🎥 Learn & Shoot With Me
🎥 Join me on Patreon
Exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, and more:
➡️ [patreon.com/darrenjspoonley](http://www.patreon.com/darrenjspoonley)
🎓 One-to-One Private Sessions
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/one-2-one-private-tuition-session](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/one-2-one-private-tuition-session)
👥 Group Workshops
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/group](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/group)
---
## 🌐 Stay Connected
📩 Newsletter
[darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter)
📰 Blog & Recent Work
[darrenjspoonley.com/blog-darrenjspoonley](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/blog-darrenjspoonley)
🌐 Website
[https://darrenjspoonley.com](https://darrenjspoonley.com)
📷 Instagram
[instagram.com/darrenjspoonleyphoto](https://www.instagram.com/darrenjspoonleyphoto)
📘 Facebook
[facebook.com/darrenjspoonleyphotography](https://www.facebook.com/darrenjspoonleyphotography)
🎵 Music
[epidemicsound.com/referral/5b24o0/](https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/5b24o0/)
If you want to improve your photography or see exactly what I use in the field, everything is organised here:
👉 darrenjspoonley.com/gear-list
You’ll find free resources, location guides, workshops, and my full gear list—all in one place.
Using these links is one of the best ways to support what I do. Some may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you—and in some cases, you may even save money if a discount code is available.
If you’re new here, welcome. Subscribing helps keep the channel moving and ensures you don’t miss future videos.
If you found the video useful, a like is appreciated, and feel free to leave a comment—feedback, questions, or ideas are all useful.
Are you stuck in a photography rut?
In this episode of Volume 3 of the Essential Landscape Photography Skills series, I break down why so many photographers stop improving — and more importantly, how to actually fix it.
The reality is simple. If you keep doing the same thing, you will get the same results. In this video, I walk through practical ways to break that cycle, from trying new genres and learning new techniques to changing your gear, shooting in different conditions, and stepping outside your comfort zone.
I also share my own experience of moving beyond landscape photography and what that taught me about growth, creativity, and pushing past limitations.
If your photography feels repetitive, unmotivating, or stale — this video is for you.
#photography #growth #change
📥 Download Volume 1 & 2 (FREE)
Join the newsletter and get both ebooks here: darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter
🎥 What You’ll Learn in This Video:
Why photographers get stuck in a rut
How repetition is limiting your progress
Practical ways to break the cycle
How trying new things improves your photography
Why discomfort is necessary for growth
💬 Join the Conversation
Are you currently in a photography rut, or have you found a way out of one? Let me know in the comments.
🤝 Support the Channel
If you’d like to support the channel and get access to exclusive content, check out Patreon here: patreon.com/cw/darrenjspoonley
00:00 - The Reality of the Photography Rut
01:10 - Why We Hit a Plateau: The Trap of Repetition
02:25 - Breaking the Cycle: Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
03:45 - Changing Your Approach to Gear and Conditions
05:08 - The Power of Trying New Genres (Lessons from Beyond Landscape)
06:30 - How Intentional Discomfort Sparks New Creativity
07:55 - Practical Exercises to Get Unstuck This Week
09:12 - Mindset Shifts for Long-Term Artistic Growth
📩 Free Resources
📸 Get your FREE copy of *Essential Landscape Photography Skills Volume 1 & 2* when you subscribe to my newsletter:
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter)
📍 Download your FREE Location Guide:
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/store-darrenjspoonley/photography-location-guide-lite](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/store-darrenjspoonley/photography-location-guide-lite)
---
## 📚 Books & Guides
📘 COAST (Printed Book)
A physical collection of my coastal landscape work from around Ireland.
📘 Ireland Photography Location Guides
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/locationguidesoverview](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/locationguidesoverview)
📘 The Alphabet Of Landscape Photography Vol I
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/alphabet-series](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/alphabet-series)
---
## 🎥 Learn & Shoot With Me
🎥 Join me on Patreon
Exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, and more:
➡️ [patreon.com/darrenjspoonley](http://www.patreon.com/darrenjspoonley)
🎓 One-to-One Private Sessions
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/one-2-one-private-tuition-session](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/one-2-one-private-tuition-session)
👥 Group Workshops
👉 [darrenjspoonley.com/group](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/group)
---
## 🌐 Stay Connected
📩 Newsletter
[darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter)
📰 Blog & Recent Work
[darrenjspoonley.com/blog-darrenjspoonley](https://www.darrenjspoonley.com/blog-darrenjspoonley)
🌐 Website
[https://darrenjspoonley.com](https://darrenjspoonley.com)
[instagram.com/darrenjspoonleyphoto](https://www.instagram.com/darrenjspoonleyphoto)
[facebook.com/darrenjspoonleyphotography](https://www.facebook.com/darrenjspoonleyphotography)
🎵 Music
[epidemicsound.com/referral/5b24o0/](https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/5b24o0/)
If you want to improve your photography or see exactly what I use in the field, everything is organised here:
👉 darrenjspoonley.com/gear-list
You’ll find free resources, location guides, workshops, and my full gear list—all in one place.
Using these links is one of the best ways to support what I do. Some may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you—and in some cases, you may even save money if a discount code is available.
If you’re new here, welcome. Subscribing helps keep the channel moving and ensures you don’t miss future videos.
If you found the video useful, a like is appreciated, and feel free to leave a comment—feedback, questions, or ideas are all useful.
