Have you ever watched a movie and known who directed it before you saw their name? Or looked at a photograph and immediately recognized the artist behind it?

What makes some creative work impossible to look away from, while other work, no matter how beautiful, is instantly forgettable?

In this episode of Play It Brave, D’Arcy explores what filmmakers, photographers, and artists can teach us about developing a recognizable artistic vision.

From the two very different adaptations of Pride & Prejudice to her experience studying directing at NYU and teaching photographers at The English Edit, D’Arcy shares why the most compelling work often comes from noticing what everyone else overlooks.

But there’s another side to this conversation.

What if the photographs that make your work different are the very ones you’ve been editing out?

So many photographers create extraordinary images, then remove them from their portfolios because they’re afraid clients, wedding planners, or other photographers won’t understand them.

In this episode, you’ll discover how to strengthen your artistic eye, recognize the beliefs that might be limiting your creativity, and begin trusting the photographs that make your work uniquely yours.

In This Episode

• What Pride & Prejudice teaches us about artistic vision and storytelling.
• Why two photographers can photograph the exact same scene and create completely different images.
• How to develop your artistic eye through a simple creative photography exercise.
• Why intentionally taking an ugly photograph might help you make something extraordinary.
• How limiting beliefs influence what you’re willing to create and share.
• The difference between curating your portfolio with intention and editing out of fear.
• A three-photo exercise to rediscover the work you’ve been overlooking.

Your Creative Challenge: The Ten Ways of Seeing

Choose one ordinary subject—a chair, coffee cup, window, or doorway—and challenge yourself to photograph it ten different ways.

1. The Ugly One: Break your usual rules. Make something imperfect on purpose.
2. Symmetry: Look for balance, repeating shapes, and clean lines.
3. Mystery: Conceal part of your subject or experiment with shadows.
4. Tenderness: Find softness in the light, shapes, or composition.
5. Drama: Experiment with contrast, scale, and perspective.
6. Loneliness: Use negative space to create a feeling of isolation.
7. Texture: Move closer and explore surfaces and small details.
8. Memory: Photograph your subject as though it belongs to another time.
9. Movement: Find a way to suggest energy or motion.
10. Your Instinct: Forget every instruction and photograph it however you want.

When you’re finished, look at your images side by side. Which one felt most natural? Which one surprised you? And which one feels most like you?

Join the Free Curation Party!

3 Portfolio Edits to Attract the Weddings You Actually Want

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 10 AM Mountain

You don’t necessarily need to photograph another hundred weddings to create a stronger portfolio. You may already have the images you need.

Join D’Arcy for a free, live Curation Party, where you’ll learn three strategic portfolio edits to help you communicate your artistic vision, strengthen your perceived value, and attract the weddings you actually want.

[REGISTER FOR THE FREE CURATION PARTY]