Let’s get vulnerable for a second. I debated writing this, as sometimes I feel an obligation to present myself as super confident with all my sh*t together all the time, but I think it’s important to talk about- as I know it often comes up when I’m talking to fellow creatives. We artists are generally blessed with an abundance of sensitivity and the world in general is quick to tell us that that’s a negative thing. It can be a challenge in certain situations, for sure, but I think it also really helps understand our clients needs, relate to our subjects, make them feel comfortable and get the best images.
Define your style.
Even after doing this for over a decade, I still get occasional nervous pangs that my client isn’t going to like their photos. Once I deliver them, I hold my breath a little. I’m not going to lie! Sometimes it takes me a minute to open an email because my over-active imagination tends to veer towards the worst case scenario. If you are the same, I challenge you to dream up 3 alternate positive outcomes for every negative - it helps, I swear! As you develop your style as a photographer, this eases up as well. If you are producing consistent work, clients know what to expect when they book you. Confidence is also about knowing when to speak up if something doesn’t align with your artistic vision. When I was starting out, I was afraid to voice my opinion when I knew something wouldn’t look good. I probably hesitantly delivered some Pinterest nightmares that weren’t consistent with my work as a result. If you are assured that the work you are handing over to your clients is true to your style, you have much, much less to worry about.
Practice getting rejected.
This sounds counterintuitive but it’s important. We alllllll get rejected and it can hurt. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard the word no (and polite variations of the term) in my career and I know I will continue to hear it. Someone once told me that you “miss every shot you don’t take” and I feel like it really shifted my perspective. Now I go after everything, no matter how big and seemingly ridiculous. Hearing the word no isn’t necessarily a closed door. It’s just a door that is not ready to open….yet! Sooner or later with the right combination of tenacity, talent and luck some of those no’s will turn into yesses and then you’re cooking with gas. Still waiting on the yes to shoot Rihanna for Vogue, but it’ll come….it’ll come!
Don’t compare yourself to others
Social media invites comparison and that can be really tough. It’s easy to feel like you’re late to the game and it’s impossible to catch up to people who have been doing this for ages. It’s a trap we all fall into from time to time - there will always be people with more followers, bigger clients, and frankly better images. Let that inspire you and fuel you to move forward instead of discouraging you. That person that you admire is also only a human being and if they can do it, you can too, but in your own way - they are just at a different stage in their journey.
I hope that if you are a photographer who also struggles with anxiety, that reading this made you feel less alone. If you have any strategies that might help others, please feel free to share them in the comments.
At this crazy time in our history and beyond, remember the words of our beloved Doctor Bonnie Henry - Be kind, be calm, be safe.