What is FOMO?
Let’s begin with the basics: what is FOMO?
FOMO stands for “Fear of Missing Out.” I first came across the term a few years ago, but I had felt the sensation countless times without knowing it had a name.
As landscape photographers, we’re especially vulnerable to this fear. Have you ever found yourself standing in front of a stunning scene, overwhelmed by the light? Chances are, you started jumping from one composition to another, unsure of your choices, and in the process, lost the best light.
I’ve personally fallen into this trap more times than I can count. It’s only natural—when the conditions are magical, we get excited and want the best possible shot. And that’s okay! We should never settle for a dull photo just because we’re afraid of missing out. However, constantly doubting ourselves right before a big moment—like a spectacular sunset or an approaching storm—can be counterproductive.
How to Deal with FOMO
Imagine you’ve planned two different compositions in two nearby spots—Location A and Location B. As the light starts to peak, you’re at Location A, but suddenly you begin to wonder if B might be better. What if something amazing happens over there?
You leave A and rush to B. But once you arrive, you realize the composition isn’t working. You’re not sure it’s the right spot, and the light is now exploding. You start thinking about a third option—Location C—or even going back to A. In the end, you waste valuable time, miss the light, and walk away unsatisfied.
Sound familiar? That’s classic FOMO in action.
Now, let me be honest—there’s no magic trick to avoiding this fear. If there were, I wouldn’t still struggle with it myself. But we’re not completely powerless either. The best weapon against FOMO is consciousness—the ability to make an informed, confident decision.
How Do You Build That Consciousness?
Simple: by studying.
The more you learn, the better decisions you’ll make in the field. In landscape photography, that means understanding the many factors that affect a scene—location, weather, tides, seasons, light angles, and more.
For instance:
- If you shoot seascapes, learn about tides, long exposures, and capturing storms.
- If you love autumn colors, study the timing of peak foliage.
- If you hike in the mountains during summer, learn about wildflowers and how to focus stack, plus how to read weather to avoid dangerous storms.
Every environment has its own rules. Study your subject, understand the conditions, and plan accordingly.
Once you’ve done your homework and arrived early to scout the area, you’ll be in a much better position to commit to a composition. That’s when you take a conscious, informed decision—not based on panic or second-guessing, but based on knowledge.
Consciousness vs. Arrogance
Here’s an important clarification: being confident in your decision doesn’t mean being arrogant.
Conscious photographers remain open-minded. They question themselves, they listen, and they stay curious. Arrogant photographers, on the other hand, think they’re always right and close themselves off to learning.
A conscious decision doesn’t mean you’ve captured the objectively “best” shot. Photography is subjective—what looks amazing to you might seem boring to someone else. And that’s okay.
So stay humble. Even if you think you’ve nailed the perfect photo, always be open to learning, improving, and helping others. You never know who might know more than you.
Conclusion
As I said earlier, there’s no way to completely eliminate FOMO. It’s an irrational fear, and like most fears, it’s hard to escape entirely.
But we can reduce its power by focusing on three key pillars:
- Planning
- Scouting
- Studying
By preparing thoroughly and understanding your environment, you give yourself the best chance to take meaningful, satisfying photos—and silence that fear of missing out.
FOMO has been on my mind for a long time, and I finally took the time over the holidays to write about it. I hope this article helps you reflect on your own experience and maybe even shift your mindset the next time you’re out chasing light.