Do You Have to Be Born Creative to Become Creative?
Is creativity a spark you’re born with—or a skill you can develop? This question has echoed through classrooms, art studios, boardrooms, and now, photography workshops across Canada. For generations, creativity was seen as an elusive, mysterious gift—something you either had, or didn’t. But in today’s world of innovation, design thinking, and visual storytelling, the idea that creativity is limited to a chosen few is not only outdated—it’s unhelpful.
At Learn Photography Canada, we challenge that belief every day. In our hands-on, in-person photography workshops, we’ve seen creativity blossom in beginners who once claimed they “just aren’t the creative type.” So, let’s examine both sides of the creativity debate—and then show you how the right environment, tools, and training can unlock a level of creativity that will benefit every area of your life.
The Case for “Born Creative”
There’s a romantic notion that creativity is innate. That some people are just wired differently—more right-brained, more imaginative, more artistically inclined. We see this in children who draw intricate pictures at age six or write stories with vivid characters before their teens. Studies of creativity and the brain have shown that certain individuals do seem to have a more naturally divergent way of thinking. Their minds more easily wander into the unknown, make new connections, or view challenges through a unique lens.
In fact, many of history’s most celebrated artists—think Picasso, Mozart, or Van Gogh—showed creative genius from an early age. This has helped fuel the belief that creativity is something you’re born with. And let’s be honest—this narrative can be comforting (or frustrating). If creativity is an inborn trait, it explains why some people seem to produce original work effortlessly, while others struggle.
The Case for “Learned Creativity”
But what if creativity isn’t a lightning bolt from the heavens—but a muscle you can train?
Psychologist Carol Dweck’s concept of a “growth mindset” turns the tables on fixed notions of talent. Her research shows that abilities, including creativity, can be developed with effort, practice, and the right strategies. Neuroscience backs this up: the brain’s neuroplasticity allows us to form new connections, rewire pathways, and strengthen creative thinking through repetition and exposure.
Consider photography. At first, you may see a beautiful scene and have no idea how to translate it into a powerful image. But as you learn the technical tools—how aperture, shutter speed, and composition interact—you start to see differently. You learn to frame your subject, chase good light, and tell a story with every shot. That’s creativity born not from instinct, but from intentional practice.
We see this daily at Learn Photography Canada. Students who once doubted their creative capacity are now producing images that stop people in their tracks. Their creativity wasn’t buried—it just needed the right process to bring it to life.
The Creative Power of Process
This brings us to a critical truth: creativity thrives in process.
We often mistake spontaneity for creativity, imagining that ideas come out of nowhere. But more often, they come from structure, discipline, and repetition. Musicians practice scales. Writers follow story arcs. And photographers? We master techniques that free us to express.
Process doesn’t kill creativity—it liberates it.
At Learn Photography Canada, we teach that creativity is less about magic and more about method. Our workshops are designed to give students a toolkit—a repeatable, learnable framework—that transforms how they see the world and capture it through a lens.
Each workshop layers creative confidence, whether it’s:
- Learning how light direction changes the emotion of a portrait
- Using long exposures to create drama in night photography
- Framing everyday scenes in compelling compositions
- Editing images in Lightroom to emphasize your intended message
You’re not just learning how to use a camera—you’re learning how to think visually, to problem-solve artistically, and to tell stories that matter.
Creativity That Transcends Photography
What’s even more exciting is that the creativity you develop behind the camera doesn’t stay there. It follows you into your job, your conversations, your problem-solving, and your self-expression.
Creativity makes you a better communicator.
A more innovative thinker.
A more curious human being.
We’ve had students tell us they now walk into a room and notice the light falling through a window. Or that they see shapes and patterns where they once saw clutter. Or that they’ve started writing, painting, or pursuing other hobbies—because something unlocked in them when they learned to see differently.
That’s the power of creative training.
Your Creative Journey Starts Here
So, do you have to be born creative to become creative?
Absolutely not.
You simply need the willingness to try, a space to grow, and the guidance of someone who believes in your potential—even when you don’t yet see it in yourself.
That’s where we come in.
At Learn Photography Canada, our small group and one-on-one workshops are built around hands-on learning, personalized coaching, and real-time feedback. Whether you’re a beginner picking up a camera for the first time or someone who’s ready to take your skills to the next level, we’ll help you build both your technical know-how and your creative confidence.
Our instructors don’t just teach. They coach. They celebrate your breakthroughs and walk with you through your learning curves. And they know that the creative spark isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you cultivate.
Come Create With Us
If you’ve ever looked at a beautiful photo and thought, I wish I could take something like that—you can. You don’t need to be born with a creative gene. You just need the right process, the right support, and a camera in your hands.
So why wait?
Join us for an upcoming Learn Photography Canada workshop near you. Whether you choose a beginner session, a night photography adventure, or a Lightroom editing class, you’ll walk away not just with great photos—but with a new way to see the world.
Because when you see differently, you live differently.
Your creativity is waiting. Let’s go find it.
Ready to Start Your Creative Journey?
View our upcoming workshops and register at www.learnphotographycanada.com.
Have questions? Reach out anytime—we’re here to help.