When you see a photograph, can you smell it? Lately, following my nose has become a new way of evolving my creative practice.

It helps me deepen my connection to the present moment, heightening my awareness and understanding of myself as I attempt to capture my perspective through the lens. Though I approach this from a photographic standpoint, the idea applies to any medium—whether you’re a writer, a painter, or any kind of artist seeking to express a deeper sensory experience.

Until recently, I had never really tried to smell a photograph. What does scent have to do with a visual medium?

Smell has the power to deepen the sensory experience of visual media, adding an unexpected layer of connection. During the creative process, it can serve as a tool to explore your emotional response to a moment, helping you capture something more true to your experience. As a viewer, becoming aware of the scents a photograph evokes can intensify your experience, making the image feel more immersive and alive.

What makes a photograph truly effective beyond strong composition? It’s something you feel. Most photographers, with practice, can master composition—but how do you create something bigger, something that resonates on a deeper level?

Exploring the smell of a photograph has been more than just a fun exercise—it has expanded how I experience both my own work and the work of others.

Before I started intentionally focusing on smell, I never realized how powerful its effect on my emotions could be - instantly pulling me back into the moment.

As I write this, I find myself drawn to water smells —ocean, rain.

What smell comes to for you? How might you express that feeling in your work?