Weird title right? Just be you?
You are Worthy.
You are Gifted.
Being "you" is ALL anyone will ever need from you.
When we start to doubt the value of being who we are, imposter syndrome creeps in and shatters our self-image and progress in life. Imposter Syndrome is the feeling that no matter what level of skills, abilities, and knowledge in a particular area, one's work will be "discovered" to be amateur at best and they will be seen as a pretender. It's doubting oneself usually in a career, but it can apply in many areas in life. Most photographers experience this phenomenon at one point or another, but so does every educator, lawyer, doctor, mom, dad, child, teenager, and literally everyone else.
What causes it? Well, friends, it's comparison.
We look to others for inspiration in a particular field. Maybe these people start out as ones we follow on social media. We love their style, their skills, their following. We learn so much in our field, put in the time, the work, the dedication. Then doubt creeps in. Their photos are amazing! Will I ever be able to do that? That sales person is so energetic, outgoing, and smart. Will people ever want to be around me like they do that person? Will I ever achieve the level of career that person has?
The answer to all of the questions above are "no." You will never be that person. You are YOU and are made specifically unique as YOU. You have your own style. You have your own approach.
I have my own style. I have my own approach. My style in photography is somewhat unique in the area in which I live, but I'm not the first or the last to be an Authentic Lifestyle Photographer. Eventually, capturing candid images and genuine glimpses of love and joy will be the norm in photography.
It's what means something to each of us on a soul level when we can place ourselves in happy moments and relive them again and again
My level of success should be different than another photographer. Your level of success should be different than the person you've compared yourself to. I've included several images I caught because I was at the right place at the right time to capture these people in their truest, most unguarded moments. From my now 16 year old treasuring a stick in front of the Old Well in Chapel Hill, NC when he was 4 years old, to a couple full-throated laughs at silly jokes during high school shoots, or a candid moment where a child just wanted to pretend to drive a truck - I was "me" and patient for special moments to happen.
Whatever you are striving to do, please remember that you are YOU, and there is no one like you!
You have your own place in this world. You have your own unique approaches and thoughts and skills. And no matter what doubts may creep into your head, remember that the world needs you, your skills, your perspective, your style. If our paths should ever cross, I'll be honored to meet the one and only YOU!
