Step 1 of 3
Let's Look at Your Work
Upload up to 5 images from a recent session that felt "just okay." For each one, answer two honest questions. This is where your formula starts to reveal itself.
Don't overthink the image selection — just pick photos you delivered but weren't excited to share. The ones you scrolled past when posting to Instagram. Those are the ones that will teach you the most.
Step 2 of 3
Building Your Formula
Answer these honestly — even if you're not completely sure yet. Your formula grows as you do. There are no wrong answers here.
If you're newer to photography — it's completely okay to choose "I'm not sure yet." Pick what sounds most like you right now. You can always come back and update this.
Light Preference
Do you prefer images with a soft, hazy glow — or bright, crisp pop?
Hazy images have a dreamy, soft look. Poppy images have rich contrast and bold color. Both are beautiful — it just depends on your style.
I love that hazy, dreamy glow A little haze is nice, but I want pop Bold and crisp — no haze for me I'm honestly not sure yet
Background Separation
How important is it that your subject stands out from what's behind them?
Think of portraits where the person is sharp and everything behind them melts into a soft, creamy blur. That's separation. Do you love that look — or does it matter less to you?
Not a priority yetNon-negotiable for me
3 / 5
Simplicity vs. Detail
Do you like clean, simple images — or do you love having lots of environment and context?
Simple images have your subject as the clear focus with nothing competing. Detailed images have texture, environment, and context all around the subject.
Clean and simple — always Some texture is totally fine I love environmental context Not sure yet
Depth of Field
Do you love shooting with a super blurry background — or do you prefer more of the scene in focus?
Aperture controls how blurry the background is. Lower numbers (f/1.2–1.8) = very blurry, dreamy backgrounds. Higher numbers (f/4+) = more of the scene is in focus. If you don't know your aperture yet — just pick what your images tend to look like.
Wide open — super blurry background Slightly blurry (f/2.0–2.8) More in focus — especially for groups I haven't thought about this yet
Composition
When you look at photos you love — what tends to draw your eye first?
Don't worry about technical terms. Just pick what sounds most like what you're naturally drawn to when you're shooting or admiring work.
A path or lines leading to the subject Subject framed by something in front Wide open, airy space Subject filling the whole frame Layers — things in front, subject in middle I'm still figuring this out
Your Formula Statement
Try to finish this sentence: "My images always have..."
Don't overthink it. Even one or two things is a great start. You can always come back and update this after your next shoot.
Step 3 of 3
Setting Your Limits
Your formula only works if you know when to walk away from a spot. These are the lines you commit to not crossing — no matter what.
If you're newer — limits might feel hard to name right now. That's completely okay. Pick your best guess and refine these with every shoot you do.
Haze Limit
How much haze can you actually recover when you edit?
Haze happens when there's too much sun coming through your lens. Past a certain point, you can't fix it in editing. Where's your cutoff?
Any hint of haze is too much for me A little is fine — flat and lifeless is not Moderate haze fits my style Heavy haze — that's actually my look I'm still figuring this out
Distraction Limit
When does a busy background cross the line for you?
Lighting Commitment
What's one thing you're committing to never shoot in — no matter what?
Start small. Even one rule is powerful. Example: "I will not shoot with the sun hitting my client's face directly."
Name Your Formula
Give it a name. Something that feels like you.
Your Formula Card
Screenshot it. Own it.
This is your formula — written down for the first time. Save it to your phone and pull it up before every session.
Your formula card is waiting.
Complete all three steps to generate your card.
My Formula
Photography Formula Card · Katelyn James Education
My Formula Statement
—
My Priorities
My Limits
What I Noticed In My Photos
⚠️ A Few Things Worth Paying Attention To
Ready to go deeper?
Your formula is a starting point. The Signature Style Method teaches you how to actually execute it — on any shoot, in any light, at any location. Photographers who implement a shooting formula report cutting their editing time in half and booking higher-paying clients.
Pre-Shoot Checklist
Before you leave the spot.
Run through this at every session. Don't move on until you can check each one off.
Build your formula first.
Your personalized checklist lives here once you've saved your formula.
My Formula
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Before You Pick A Spot
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Your story isn’t separate — it’s your starting point.
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