Photos that look like a snapshot often do so because there's no real area the eye is supposed to go to. A busy photo is hard for the viewer to connect with. It's almost like our brains want to make sure we're looking at the right thing, and a busy photo gives no guidance if we're doing that right.

Photos that are not busy often are perceived as stronger. We connect with the subject, we understand the photo, and maybe the story behind the photo too. We get more enjoyment out of the photo and we like to keep looking at it.

For you to practice:
Take a photo that you know will turn out busy. And then take one that has very few elements in it and isn't busy at all. Look at both and try to remember that distracting elements are the enemy of any good photo. Congratulations! You took the first step in dramatically improving your photography.