Letting Go of Expectations Can Transform Your Photography

I first learned about the concept of “emptying your cup” long before I even knew it had a name. Back then, it came from an unlikely source—photographer Jay Maisel. In one of his interviews, he explained how he never set expectations for what he was going to capture, whether it was a paid commercial shoot or a simple walk through the streets of New York. He approached every situation with an openness, allowing himself to be surprised by what he found, and that really struck a chord with me.

At that time, I was in the habit of going out with a shot list in my head, mentally planning the perfect scenes I wanted to capture. But as I listened to Maisel’s philosophy, I realized that this approach was limiting my creativity. I wasn’t allowing myself to really see what was in front of me. Instead, I was laser-focused on getting a particular shot, often missing the unexpected beauty unfolding right beside me. That’s when I started to shift.

Now, every time I pick up my camera, whether I’m walking the dog or heading out on a family vacation, I consciously let go of any preconceived ideas of what I want to capture. For me, photography isn’t about checking off a list of must-have shots; it’s about being present and noticing the world as it is in that moment.

Take, for example, a walk with my dog, Pixel. There’s a particular route we follow, and I’ve seen the same trees, trails, and landscapes more times than I can count. But each time I bring my camera along, I try to empty my cup—no expectations, no goals, just an open mind. And without fail, I always end up discovering something new. Maybe it’s the way the light catches a leaf just so, or how a shadow casts an entirely different mood over the street corner I’ve passed a hundred times.

This approach has also been incredibly freeing during family vacations. On a recent trip to Hawaii, I consciously avoided making a mental checklist of what I wanted to shoot. I let the island reveal itself to me. Instead of stressing over the “iconic” shots—like the perfect sunset or the dramatic landscapes—I just wandered, taking in the small, intimate details that felt authentic in the moment. I captured a local vendor selling coffee, a peaceful stretch of beach with no tourists in sight, and even the soft, unplanned expressions on my family’s faces as we explored together. Those photos hold more meaning to me than any perfectly staged shot ever could.

In the book Liminal Thinking, there’s a concept called "Emptying Your Cup." When applied to my photography practice it’s about letting go of preconceived ideas about what makes a good photograph and approaching each new scene with fresh eyes. It is a perfect articulation of what I have already been doing for years. Emptying my cup allows me to stay curious and open, which often leads to more authentic, surprising, and meaningful photographs.

So, if you find yourself stuck in a creative rut or feeling like your photos are becoming too predictable, try emptying your cup. Start a session by consciously setting aside any expectations of what you want to capture. Walk into each scene with a sense of openness, and allow yourself to be surprised by what unfolds. You might just find that the world has far more to offer when you stop telling it what to be.

Keep Shooting,

Kwame