Sometimes we go through phases where we don't feel like creating new images. Willpower is important in photography -even more if it's done outdoors-, but even the strongest determination will eventually fade away.

Make it simple

The only way to stay motivated in anything is to make it enjoyable -and the best way to make it enjoyable is to make it simple.

Simplifying our photography process will make it more fun and in turn, that will motivate us to do it more often, to create more.

Less gear makes photography simpler

Imagine a camera that fits in your pocket and you can have with you at all times. I'm not talking about phones: even though I think they are more than good enough they are not my favorite cameras to use.

I'm currently experimenting with compact cameras as my only drivers: one for video (Sony RX100VA) and one for stills (Sony RX100ii), but most of the time I use just one for both (the RX100VA).

I don't have lenses to carry but most importantly, I don't have lenses to choose from. There's no second guessing, I take the camera, I put it in my pocket and I go out the front door. I embrace its strengths and flaws because I have no other choice.

Photography as a habit

This has led to some somewhat unexpected consequences: this morning during my morning walk I noticed something in my raincoat's right pocket: it was my camera. I had put it there unconsciously while I was getting ready. At this point, it's become a habit.

Carrying a bigger camera would've been less enjoyable, no doubt. It would never be a habit the way grabbing a compact camera is. And with no camera comes no images, no action, thus no motivation.

Decrease the complexity to increase your motivation

Anything you can do to decrease the complexity of your photography workflow will help. These are some additional ideas to simplify your photography, besides minimizing your camera gear:

• Shoot in P mode and use autofocus
• Create your own preset and use it upon importing
• Be merciless with the images you don't like and delete them right away
• Back your images up in the cloud, perhaps have an external hard drive for fast access
• Loosen up

And don't forget about the key to making great images: wake up and get out.