Seeing Differently: Inside Jpixx’s Photography Exercise

Every few months, the Jpixx team trades timelines and to-do lists for something a little more… free. Cameras come out, expectations go away, and creativity takes the lead.

A couple of months ago, that creative reset took us to the Chesapeake Arboretum for a team photography exercise built around one simple idea: slow down, look closer, and see differently. Each person was given a unique photo challenge designed to push how they naturally shoot, and the results were as varied (and fun) as the people behind the lens. Here’s what the team took away from the experience! 🎥

Megan: Chasing Light (and All the Buttons) 📸

For Megan, the photography exercise was a mix of curiosity, discovery, and a little trial-by-fire.

While editing, their first thought was honest and relatable: “What a cool software I’ve never used before… there are so many buttons.” But that curiosity quickly turned into intention once they were out in the field.

Their priority while shooting was finding moments where light interacted with the environment, revealing vibrant colors and unexpected details. As the sun dipped lower, the challenge increased. Shooting manual, especially during sunset, meant constantly adjusting settings as the light changed. “It was really good practice, and lots of fun!” they said.

Looking back, Megan noted that introducing people or man-made elements could have elevated their work even more. Wandering solo through the woods can start to feel like “plants… plants… more plants…” but contrast, they realized, is where images really come alive.

Hanna: A Fly on the Wall Moments 🌤️

Hanna’s takeaway centered less on technical rules and more on perspective. 

She appreciated the simple act of stepping outside and looking at the world through a different lens—literally. Her natural shooting style leans toward candid, fly-on-the-wall moments with minimal interference. However, this exercise introduced a new challenge: incorporating outside elements and intentional design. Like Megan, she found that collaboration and interaction elevated the images.

Moving forward, Hanna wants to lean more into natural light, enhancing it in post-production rather than relying on studio-style setups. Many of her photos focused heavily on composition, and she’s excited to push them toward a more cinematic feel next time.

Jon: Shooting for the Joy of It 😎

For Jon, the exercise was a reminder of something creatives don’t always get to do: shoot just to shoot.

“We don’t always get to let loose and shoot for the sake of having fun and capturing a vision,” he shared. This day gave the team space to explore without pressure, while also learning from each other’s approaches.

Seeing how everyone interpreted their assignments sparked conversation, inspiration, and a little friendly envy from teammates who wished they could have joined. And who knows, “maybe next time we might open it up to friends of Jpixx as well.”

Trey: Letting Color Lead the Story 🌅

Trey walked away with a new appreciation for color as a storytelling tool.

Instead of starting with framing or composition, his assignment pushed him to use a color palette as the driving force behind each image. That shift forced his eye to work differently—and purposefully. “Shooters all have a specific order in how they bring a shot together,” Trey reflected. For him, color now carries more responsibility, helping create mood, emotion, and story within a single frame.

Noah: From Aesthetic to Storytelling ✨

Noah’s instincts immediately lean toward composition, finding a subject, testing angles, and chasing the “right” frame. But this exercise opened the door to something deeper.

Hearing how others prioritize color, light, and narrative reframed his perspective on photography. Before Jpixx, many of his photos were captured purely for the vibe—abstract, aesthetic, and intuitive. While that approach still has a place, he’s now focused on storytelling within the frame. “Learning to tell a story inside a single image is interesting—and I want to master it.”

Savannah: Creativity, Connection, and a Little Magic 🪄

Savannah helped coordinate the entire exercise, making sure everyone had a challenge designed to spark growth. “Every quarter we gather up our creative troops and spend an afternoon out on the field just being creative,” she explained. This time, each photographer was given a unique assignment, because small challenges often lead to big breakthroughs.

The day also featured a special guest: Daisy (@days_of_daisy), a UK-based influencer and content creator who joined as a model and collaborator.

While Savannah found herself juggling logistics, her favorite moment came when she looked up from her camera and saw six creatives sharing shots, laughing, and learning together. “My heart did a little leap,” she said. Even if everyone walked away with just one new skill, she knew she’d shared her love for photography, and that made it worth it.

Why Exercises Like This Matter 💙

This photography exercise day wasn’t about perfection or deliverables. It was about connection, curiosity, and growth —both as individuals and as a team.

By stepping outside our usual roles and routines, we were reminded that creativity thrives when there’s room to experiment, collaborate, and simply enjoy the process. And, honestly, we can’t wait to do it again!

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