No matter where you are in your photography journey, there is always room to grow. Whether you’ve just unboxed your first camera or you’ve been shooting for years, the path to better photos is paved with small, intentional actions.

To make this post as actionable as possible, I’ve included specific "Do This" challenges for each tip. Pick one (or three!) and start practicing today.

1. Visualize Before You Shoot

When you’re a beginner, you tend to photograph everything. To move to the next level, you need to be purposeful. Developing a "vision" before you even touch the camera is what separates a snapshot from a photograph.

Do This: Sketch out an image idea on paper before picking up your camera. What is the perspective? Where is the light coming from? Taking the idea out of your head and onto paper makes you much more likely to execute it.

2. Become an Observer of Light

Photography literally means “painting with light.” Without understanding light, you’re just clicking a shutter. Light defines the mood, the texture, and the depth of your subject.

Do This: This weekend, try working with a light source you usually avoid. Experiment with indoor camera settings near a window, or challenge yourself to shoot in the harsh midday sun. You can even find "pockets of light" in a dark room to create drama.

3. Master One Composition Tool at a Time

Composition is how you tell your viewer where to look. Instead of trying to remember every "rule" at once, focus on just one. This builds "muscle memory" for your eyes.

Do This: Choose one tool—like the Rule of Thirds or Leading Lines—and use it exclusively for every photo you take this weekend. If you need a refresher on the basics, check out my 6 Essential Lightroom Edits to see how cropping can save a composition.

4. Ditch the "Auto" Crutch

If you are still shooting in Auto, the camera is making all the creative decisions for you. It’s time to take the wheel and decide how much of the scene should be in focus or how motion should be captured.

Do This: If you’re on Auto, move to Aperture Priority. If you’re already there, it’s time for Mastering Manual Mode. Try intentionally overexposing or underexposing an image to see how it changes the mood.

5. Make the Switch to RAW

If you want the most control over your final image, you have to shoot in RAW. This preserves all the data from your sensor, allowing you to fix mistakes later.

Do This: Change your camera settings to RAW this weekend. You'll need a processor like Lightroom to edit these files, but the "wiggle room" you get for fixing things like white balance is life-changing.

6. Scout a New Background

A great subject with a cluttered background is a missed opportunity. Sometimes the best "studio" is just a clean wall or an interesting texture two blocks away.

Do This: Grab a notebook and drive around your neighborhood. Look for interesting textures, colored doors, or clean backdrops. Write them down so you have a "location library" ready for your next shoot.

7. Limit Your Gear

Having too many choices can actually kill your creativity. When you are forced to work within a limitation, you start seeing the world differently.

Do This: Stick one lens on your camera and leave it there all weekend. Learn exactly how it behaves. If you're feeling stuck, check out The Lens Library to understand which gear fits your vision best.

8. Start a Personal Project

Sometimes we get so caught up in the technicalities that we forget to shoot what we love. A personal project gives you a reason to pick up the camera even when you aren't "feeling it."

Do This: Take one photo this weekend that is just for you. It doesn't need to go on social media or in a portfolio. Photograph what makes your heart sing—whether it's the light on a spiderweb or your child’s messy hair.

Ready to get organized? Before you start your weekend of shooting, make sure you have a plan for your files! Download my Lightroom checklist to get my free editing checklist and import presets.