Everyone works differently, but I've found that for myself there are two ways that I operate when it comes to my art: extreme planning and a single brilliant whim. Perhaps you work only one way, perhaps you work several ways as I do; but however you work there is no wrong or right way. If you haven't figured out your way yet and you want to get started on creating your first series here are some things that I do if you're looking for a jumping off point.
Method A: Extreme Planning
An example of a concept web. I circle things that stood out to me, or spoke to me on a personal level as well as ideas that would translate well into an image. (c)M.M.Hewitt 2015
This usually starts off with a single concrete theme or idea. Once I figure out a theme I then go through what is called a concept web. I write down the single theme in the center of a piece of paper and then I draw connections to that word of different things I think up that relate to that theme. I keep branching off as each word makes me think of more things related to it. Once I've exhausted all branches I then look for repeat ideas. These usually become focal points in my series. Oftentimes colors will be called up in this exercise which is great if you are creating a visual series.
After I've gathered all of my ideas from my web I then plan how each idea will become an image. I sketch out each idea, write notes as to technical aspects I will need to consider or have ready for when it's time to shoot, as well as include costume choices and if there are any props that I will need to gather.
Method B: A Single Brilliant Whim
Aware | (c)MMHewitt 2014 This image inspired an entire series, focusing on a single shared nightgown and a wide array of different stories.
This isn't to say that extreme planning isn't brilliant. In fact, many of my extreme planning sessions have made for brilliantly smooth shoots as well as brilliant finished images. I call this method "A Single Brilliant Whim" in that I create a single unaffiliated image and become completely inspired by it to create a series based on it. This is what happened for my series Portraits in a Nightgown. I shot "Aware" and was so completely inspired by it that I had to make more centered around the nightgown and that I was telling a story about a human being. I didn't have every single image planned out before I began the series. Each image was created on a "as it came" basis, but they each followed the same theme. I still sketched out my idea for the image and wrote down details for the shoot. I kept going until I felt the series was complete.
The Basis
No matter how you decide to attack creating your own series there are important factors to consider when building a series.
1. What do you want to say? What is the theme?
This is what you are exploring when creating your art. What concepts are you breaking apart and showing to the world and why is that important.
2. What is it going to look like?
Whether you create photographs, oil paintings, sculptures or fantastic hand bound books there is a driving consistency in a body of work that is a series. It should be apparent that they all go together and that they all have your signature style. Perhaps, as in Portraits in a Nightgown, all images will have the same costume. Colors, lighting, feeling, ambience. All of these will factor into how the work is going to look.
There is much to consider when creating your own series. It may seem daunting but if you know how you operate then you can easily surpass all doubts and dive right in to create a cohesive body of work. I wish you best of luck as you begin your journey creating your own series!