What Software Delivery Managers Can Learn From Photography: A New Lens on Leading Teams

Have you ever wondered whether the way you make a living and the hobbies you enjoy could complement each other? I work in software delivery, but my camera is never too far away!

If you’re a software delivery manager, your world revolves around alignment, clarity, flow efficiency, and helping teams deliver valuable outcomes predictably.

But sometimes, the best insights don't come from frameworks, certifications, or delivery models—they come from unexpected places.

For me, one of those places is photography.

Surprisingly, photography offers powerful lessons in leadership, communication, and decision-making that translate directly into the world of software delivery.

Once you start seeing the parallels, you’ll never look at sprint planning—or your camera—the same way again.

1. Seeing the Bigger Picture: Composition = Prioritisation

In photography, composition determines what matters in a frame.

What do you highlight? What gets cropped out? What draws the eye?

Software delivery managers face the same challenges every day:

• What work truly matters?

• What should teams focus on now vs. later?

• How do we avoid clutter and distraction?

Good composition helps a photographer tell a clear story. Good prioritisation helps a delivery manager create a clear roadmap.

Both require the courage to remove noise so the essentials stand out.

2. Lighting the Scene: Removing Ambiguity

Photographers chase good light because it reveals detail and reduces confusion in a shot.

As a delivery manager, your role is to bring clarity:

• clear goals

• clear acceptance criteria

• clear roles

• clear communication

• clear paths to unblock teams

When teams work in the dark—unclear priorities, vague requirements, shifting expectations—everything slows down.

Good lighting makes a photo sharp. Good clarity makes a team confident.

3. Working Within Constraints Sparks Innovation

Every photographer has faced constraints:

• poor lighting

• limited equipment

• changing weather

• fast-moving subjects

These constraints force creativity.

Software delivery has its own constraints:

• technical debt

• limited capacity

• unclear requirements

• competing priorities

• challenging stakeholders

As delivery leaders, we can either push back against constraints… or use them to spark innovative thinking.

Great delivery leadership turns limitations into opportunities.

4. Iteration Is Everything

A perfect shot almost never happens on the first try. You test angles, adjust settings, review, retake, refine, and edit.

Sound familiar?

Software delivery thrives on:

• iterations

• retrospectives

• continuous improvement

• incremental value delivery

Both disciplines rely on taking small steps, learning quickly, and adjusting based on feedback.

Iteration isn’t a weakness—it’s the path to our end goal.

5. Telling a Story That Resonates With Stakeholders

Photography is not just about capturing an image—it’s about telling a story.

Software delivery managers also tell stories every day:

• Why this work matters

• How the team is progressing

• What are the obstacles

• What the customer experience should feel like

• Why a particular decision supports our goals

When delivery managers become good storytellers, stakeholders understand context, teams understand purpose, and alignment becomes easier.

Storytelling turns information into influence.

6. Editing: Refinement, Lean Thinking, and Reducing Waste

A good photographer doesn’t keep every shot from a session—they curate.

Likewise, strong delivery leadership involves:

• removing unnecessary process

• eliminating bottlenecks

• refining workflows

• cutting waste

• focusing on the essential steps that drive value

Editing isn’t about doing less work—it's about enabling more meaningful work.

7. The Power of Empathy and Observation

Photographers develop exceptional observational skills:

• subtle emotion

• body language

• context

• mood

• tone

Delivery managers benefit from the same sensitivity. Being able to read the room—spotting frustration, confusion, disengagement, or excitement—is a strong skill.

Your ability to see and understand people directly improves team performance.

Summary: Photography as a Leadership Toolkit

Photography may seem far removed from software delivery leadership, but its lessons apply directly to your job:

• Composition = Prioritisation

• Lighting = Removing ambiguity

• Constraints = Creativity

• Iteration = Continuous improvement

• Storytelling = Stakeholder alignment

• Editing = Reducing waste

• Observation = Empathy and leadership intuition

When you apply these principles, you sharpen your leadership, strengthen your teams, and elevate delivery outcomes.

Bring Your Hobbies Into Your Leadership

Photography is just one example. Every hobby teaches us something valuable:

• Musicians understand rhythm and flow

• Hikers understand navigating unknown paths

• Gamers understand strategy and rapid decision-making

• Chefs understand preparation, teamwork, and timing

• Gardeners understand patience and nurturing

The key is seeing the connection.

Ask yourself:

• What personal passions give you a unique edge as a leader?

• What skills from outside work help you at work?

• How can you encourage your teams to bring their whole selves too?

Great leadership doesn’t come only from frameworks. It comes from perspective — and sometimes, that perspective comes from the hobbies you love.