The Simple Secret to Better Photos

It’s not about the light, the gear, or the location

Many years ago I was talking with an established photographer, admiring his work which included multiple books. He offered to share the secret to being successful at landscape photography.

It turned out to be just three words: Just Show Up.

Gilbert Lake State Park during a surprise snow squall.

At first, I almost laughed. How could it really be that simple? But the more I thought about it, the more it sank in. Many of the images in his books were of islands in the St. Lawrence River. For him, “just showing up” sometimes meant a trip by boat, or many times his float plane. Not exactly trivial.

A storm brewing at sunset near Cape Vincent, NY

For me, the phrase became motivation to set the alarm early for sunrise, or to take that hike when I’d rather stay home. There are days when I don’t feel like going out. But once I do, once I step into the woods or stand by the water, it’s always worth it.

There are endless reasons to stay inside: perfectionism, fear of failure, comparison to others, lack of inspiration. I’ve wrestled with all of them. (If there’s interest, I’ll dive into those topics more in future posts.)

Canadian Geese in the rain

Recently, I’ve started to see another side to those three words. If you look at my early outdoor images, most were made in “perfect” conditions: golden hour, blue hour, or bright skies with puffy clouds. But waiting for perfection often masks the same roadblocks: fear, comparison, or the trap of thinking today isn’t “good enough.”

The truth is, showing up only when conditions are ideal limits growth. Working photography around a full-time job doesn’t leave endless opportunities, and leaving the camera in the bag on less-than-perfect days means missing too much.

A snowstorm over the lake at a local state park

So I’ve made it part of my practice to head out in all kinds of weather, including cloudy days, rain showers, snowstorms, and even harsh midday sun. The more I do, the more I find beauty where I never expected it. Sometimes the challenge itself leads to the most memorable image.

And that’s the heart of it: growth doesn’t come from waiting for flawless skies. It comes from showing up anyway.

Moody skies from a cloudy sunset,

Some of my favorite photos were made in drizzle, fog, or flat light. They were created under conditions that forced me to look harder and notice differently.

So if you’re waiting for the “right” day, don’t. Grab your camera, step outside, and give yourself the gift of showing up. Sometimes you’ll get nothing at all. But the light, the weather, and the inspiration may surprise you. You’ll never know, however, and you’ll never get the shot, unless you’re there.

✅ Where to Find Me

You can find more of my work on the web at: Simmons Photography

If you want to work with me, or inquire about licensing images: Contact Page

More of my work can be seen on Vero and Flickr.

💬 Closing Thoughts

Any search for photography of the Thousand Islands region will likely turn up some images from the late Ian Coristine. Ian’s books were some of my earliest inspirations for photographing the region. After purchasing one of his books I reached out to him to ask some questions, and found someone who loved talking about the St Lawrence, and sharing his thoughts on photography. You can still find some of his books on the used market on Amazon.com.