Making Each Shot Count: A Guide to Intentional Photography

When you only have 9 shots per day, every photo becomes precious. This guide will help you develop the skills and mindset to make each capture count.

See Before You Shoot

The first rule of intentional photography: observe with your eyes before you raise your camera. Take a moment to:

• Notice the light: Where is it coming from? Is it soft or harsh?
• Find the composition: What’s the most interesting angle?
• Feel the moment: Is this the peak of the experience?
• Check the background: What’s behind your subject?

When you can’t take 20 shots hoping one works, you learn to see the shot before you take it.

Wait for the Right Moment

Patience is your friend. Instead of rapid-firing, wait for:

• The genuine smile, not the forced one
• The perfect light, not the convenient light
• The natural gesture, not the posed one
• The emotional peak of the moment

Film photographers had to wait—for the right light, the right moment, the right composition. That waiting made them better photographers.

Compose with Intention

With limited shots, composition becomes crucial. Consider:

• Rule of thirds: Place your subject off-center for visual interest
• Leading lines: Use natural lines to guide the eye
• Negative space: Let the scene breathe
• Framing: Use natural frames (doorways, windows, trees)
• Symmetry: When it works, it’s powerful

Take a breath, compose, then shoot. One intentional shot beats ten rushed ones.

Tell a Story

Each of your 9 shots should tell part of your day’s story. Think about:

• Morning moments: The coffee, the sunrise, the quiet
• Daily highlights: The meaningful interactions, the beautiful scenes
• Evening reflections: The sunset, the meal, the calm

Your daily roll should read like a visual diary, not a random collection.

Embrace Imperfection

Intentional photography isn’t about perfection—it’s about authenticity. Sometimes the slightly blurry, off-center, imperfect shot captures the moment better than a technically perfect one.

Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Capture the moment as it is, with all its beautiful imperfections.

Use Notes to Add Context

After taking a shot, add a note. This isn’t about editing—it’s about preserving context:

• What were you feeling?
• What made this moment special?
• Who were you with?
• What was happening around you?

These notes transform photos into memories. Years later, you’ll remember not just what you saw, but how you felt.

Know When Not to Shoot

Sometimes the best photography decision is not to take a photo. Save your shots for:

• Moments you’ll want to remember
• Scenes that move you
• People you care about
• Experiences worth preserving

Not every beautiful thing needs to be photographed. Some moments are meant to be lived, not captured.

Review and Reflect

At the end of the day, look at your 9 shots. Ask yourself:

• Which ones truly capture the day?
• What story do they tell together?
• What moments did I miss (and was that okay)?
• What will I remember about today?

This daily review helps you become a better photographer and a more mindful person.

The Art of Burning

Sometimes you’ll take a shot that doesn’t work. That’s okay. The “burn” feature lets you remove it permanently—a reminder that not every shot needs to be kept. This teaches you to be selective not just in taking photos, but in keeping them.

Practice Makes Intentional

Like any skill, intentional photography takes practice. Start with these exercises:

1. One shot per hour: For one day, take only one shot per hour
2. Wait 10 seconds: Before every shot, wait 10 seconds and observe
3. No duplicates: If you take a shot, move on—no retakes
4. End-of-day review: Every evening, review your shots and reflect

Your Journey Starts Now

Making each shot count isn’t about being a professional photographer. It’s about being present, intentional, and mindful. It’s about creating a gallery of meaningful moments, not a collection of forgotten captures.

With 9 shots per day, you have 3,285 opportunities per year to capture what matters. Make each one count.

Start your practice today. See better. Wait longer. Shoot less. Remember more.