How I Found My Art Style – And Why It Wasn’t a Straight Path

It was a long road to get to this picture!

Many aspiring artists ask themselves the same question at some point: How do I find my own style? 

I searched for a long time. And honestly — it wasn’t a beautiful, clear process with a sudden moment of enlightenment. It was a bumpy journey full of detours. Today, I feel at home in the world of fine art photography and surface pattern design. But before I arrived here, I tried many different things.

My Style Didn’t Begin With a Plan

II’ve always been creative. I experimented with countless techniques — but nothing ever felt completely right. Back then, I still thought art was perhaps “just a hobby.” Something you do on the side. Only later did I slowly begin to realise: Maybe I don’t just want to make art…Maybe I want to truly live within it. 

Many Stops Along the Way — And Nothing Fully Fit

I started with textile design, sewed products, and sold them at markets and on Etsy. Then, by chance, I discovered the world of headpieces, fascinators, and bridal hair accessories. I was fascinated. I taught myself techniques, bought materials, designed collections, and sold online again. But even then, something didn’t feel quite right. Looking back, I often loved the creative process — but not the repetition, not producing on demand, not squeezing myself into a system.

Photography Came Through a Detour

For my products, I needed good photos. At first, someone else took them — but I had to edit them myself, even though I had no idea how. So I started learning Photoshop. And suddenly I noticed something surprising: Editing the images brought me more joy than making the products. During the shoots, I kept thinking:I can do this too. That’s how photography entered my life.

Searching Inside a Huge Field of Possibilities

Photography is vast. I tried portraits, product photography, still life, macro…But I wasn’t sure what was truly mine. 

Flower Photography Was a Turning Point

My first flower photographs were taken in Japan — while hiking, near temples, along quiet paths. And suddenly, I knew: This is it. I wanted to share the joy of nature. Back home, I kept photographing flowers — by the roadside, in neighbours’ gardens, later in parks and botanical spaces. Macro photography fascinated me…but it still wasn’t quite my style.

“This Is It!” — The Moment With Prisms

At some point, I discovered Lensbaby lenses, and later prisms. And I had this thought: This is my way of seeing. The blur, the light leaks, the small accidents — it finally felt like me. But I was still uncertain. 

Collage Became My Own Path 

Since I’ve always loved collage, the idea came naturally: Why not create collages from my photographs? I intentionally searched to see if anyone worked in exactly the same way — not because inspiration is bad, but because I didn’t want to copy. I wanted something that felt truly mine. And in my collages based on prism photography, I found exactly that: Light. Flowing shapes. Nature. A style that feels right. 

Style Doesn’t Appear Overnight

What I’ve learned is this: A personal style is not a branding trick. It doesn’t come from thinking alone. It is the sum of everything that moves you — and it grows through doing.

My Style Isn’t Finished — But It’s Mine! Even today, I keep evolving, especially through pattern design. It’s not easy to connect photography with clean vector shapes — but that challenge is part of what excites me now. My style is not a destination. It’s a process. And maybe that’s the most important insight: You don’t find your style in one big “aha” moment. Style slowly crystallises — through practice, time, and creating.

🎥 Want to go deeper? In my new video, I share additional thoughts and creative tips that may help you on your own journey toward finding your style.