Should Photographers Chase a “Career‑Defining” Image?
When we think of great photographers, we often recognize them first by a single iconic photograph.
Ansel Adams has Moon and Half Dome.
Henri Cartier‑Bresson has Behind the Gare Saint‑Lazare.
Edward Weston has Pepper No. 30.
Those images become entry points into their larger bodies of work. One unforgettable photograph pulls us in, and suddenly we’re exploring everything else they created.
But that raises a tempting question: should we, as photographers, try to create our own career‑defining image? Should we conceptualize “the best photo we’ll ever make” and spend years chasing it? I even know a photographer who has pursued a single shot for more than a decade.
The Allure of the Perfect Photograph
The idea is undeniably appealing. You imagine the perfect image, then reverse‑engineer every detail:
Where in the world could this scene exist?
Where would you stand, and which direction would the camera face?
What time of day gives the right light?
What weather conditions complete the mood?
What techniques and post‑processing would bring the vision to life?
Even if you never capture the exact image you imagined, the process itself teaches you a tremendous amount. You refine your eye, sharpen your technique, and build the skills to create something similar with far less effort next time.
The Problem: We Can’t Predict What Becomes Iconic
But here’s the catch: we have no control over which of our photos—if any—will resonate with the world.
Popularity is unpredictable because it’s not purely about the photograph. Brooks Jensen once pointed out that the most interesting part of Pepper No. 30 isn’t “Pepper”—it’s “No. 30.” Weston must have made dozens of pepper photographs. There may have been a Pepper No. 31 or No. 32. Why did No. 30 become the famous one? It might not have been Weston’s favorite. It might not even have been the “best.”
That’s the danger of chasing a single career‑defining image: even if you execute your vision perfectly, the world may simply shrug. Not because the photo is bad, but because popularity depends on timing, culture, luck, and countless factors outside your control.
A Better Approach: Build a Body of Work Worth Exploring
I don’t have a magic solution—I'm not a famous photographer either. But I’ve come to believe this:
Instead of chasing one career‑defining photograph, create many photographs that could define your career.
Refine your vision. Improve your technique. Build clusters of strong images around your best ideas. Explore new places and new concepts. Let curiosity lead you to ideas you haven’t even imagined yet.
When you do that, you’re not waiting for one perfect image to carry your name. You’re building a body of work that invites people in—just like those iconic photographs did for the masters.
In the end, photography isn’t a single destination.
It’s a journey of constant discovery, growth, and creation.