S1 E5: The One with the Creative Dry Spell

In this episode of The One Behind the Lens, Kate gets real about a topic every creative faces but few talk about openly: burnout. The One with the Dry Spell is a candid conversation about those low seasons—the ones where you question everything, feel stuck, uninspired, or just plain tired. Whether you’ve found yourself staring blankly at your gear or wondering if you’ll ever feel creative again, Kate offers honest encouragement, permission to pause, and gentle ways to reconnect with your craft. If you’ve ever been in a love-hate relationship with your camera, this episode is for you.

⏱️ Timestamps + Episode Highlights

[00:00:00] The Struggle Is Real (and You're Not Alone)

Kate opens up about that all-too-familiar feeling of hitting a creative wall—where the work feels dull, the inspiration is gone, and your camera feels like both your best friend and worst enemy.

[00:02:00] The Go-To Remedy: Shoot Just for You

Her best advice? Shoot for YOU. Not your clients. Not for social. Not even to update your portfolio. Just for the pure joy of making something. Kate encourages:

• Asking a family member or friend to be your model (yes, bribery is allowed!)
  Being clear: this is just for fun, no pressure
  Letting go of expectations and embracing experimentation
  

  [00:03:00] Inspiration Comes After Action

Don’t wait for the magical lightning bolt of inspiration. Sometimes, creativity shows up once you start playing. Ask yourself: What feels fun right now? What makes you curious?

[00:04:00] Embrace Bad Art

Whether you're photographing your dog mid-yawn or your laundry pile, let go of "perfect." Curiosity fuels creativity. Bad art often leads to breakthroughs.

[00:05:00] A Gentle Pep Talk

Your best work may come from the projects no one sees. Let this season be messy. Let it be yours.

[00:06:00] Shoutout to PhotoBiz (Sponsor)

Kate shares how she uses PhotoBiz to run her entire business—from website to email to booking. Use code POD25 for 25% off your first year!

[00:07:00] Photo Confession Booth: The Alley Incident

It wouldn’t be a true episode without a behind-the-scenes blooper. This week’s confession? A gust of wind took out Kate's flash mid-session—smashing it to bits in an alley. The client’s mom burst into tears, and Kate ended up consoling her while internally calculating the cost of replacing her light. The moral? Always bring a human sandbag.

[00:09:00] Creative Challenge of the Week

Kate dares you to:

• 1. Pick one person or subject that feels safe and fun
  2. Try one new thing: a new pose, lens, light, or editing style
  3. Give yourself full permission to play, mess up, and not share it anywhere
     Use this script if you're nervous to ask someone to model: “Hey! I’m playing with some creative photo ideas. No pressure, no expectations. Just for fun. Want to help me experiment?”

[00:10:00] Final Pep Talk

A creative dry spell doesn’t mean you’re broken. It just means your creative self needs room to breathe. You are still a brilliant artist—even on your off days.

Kate will be back soon with more stories, strategies, and laughter from life behind the lens. Until then? Shutter up and shine.

Summary: Feeling creatively stuck? Kate shares her go-to strategy for breaking out of a dry spell and reconnecting with the joy of photography.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Episode 2 with Susan Geitka – Listen here

PhotoBiz – Get 25% off with code POD25

Creative Challenge Reminder: Pick one subject and try one new thing. No pressure. Just play.

Let’s Connect:

• DM or tag Kate on Instagram: @kate.decoste
  Subscribe, rate, and review if this episode helped you!
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