If you’re struggling with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt with your work, then you may be facing imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is a normal thing among a large percentage of creatives. It causes people to downplay and not believe in their work or successes. This syndrome is something that most creatives grapple with despite having years of experience and numerous achievements under their belt.
"Within the Milky Way, planet Earth seems tiny. In moss on volcanic rock world, planet Earth seems colossal. It's about perception." - Damon
For some beginners, and even experienced photographers, this may cause them to realize that there is much they don’t know about. This feeling can overwhelm and make photographers feel unequipped. But there are ways to battle imposter syndrome.
At the root of imposter syndrome is knowing you have limitations and judging your work based on those limitations and how you perceive others will criticise you. This feeling may not always be a bad thing since you can use this to push yourself to learn and grow more with your photography.
"This photo is of a close friend of mine, showing how over the last few years he has gone from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs literally." - Haydn
You should remember that it is completely fine to not know it all. The journey of learning is the most important part of photography. You won’t know everything, but you will see lots of improvement while you hone your craft. Focus on what you can do and build on the skills that you know work well for you. Make do with the skillset and the equipment you have, and you’ll grow more in your field.
Work within your passions. Tell your story through your photos and sharpen your skills in an area that spurs your creative inspiration. The more you share your story and passion through your photography, the more you’ll love your own unique and creative work.
"You are what you believe yourself to be. They say to think Positive and always tell yourself that you are loved and strong and capable. BUT HERE IS THE TRUTH: While it is true to always think positive, you don't need to tell yourself over and over again that you are loved, strong and capable, because you know YOU ALREADY ARE. And when you doubt it, instead of trying to prove to everyone, just laugh. Laugh at your worries and insecurities. View your anxieties with humor. It will be difficult at first, but you'll gradually get used to it. Later on, those people who doubt you will wonder why you are still smiling despite their negative remarks. Eventually, they will stop, and they will get tired, and they will leave. Because at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what they think, it is what you believe about yourself that makes you tough, that makes you loved and makes you capable. Those people who think that you are weak and incapable, are those ones who have insecurities of their own. One day those people that didn't believe in you will tell everyone how they met you. The world is round... That's just how it is..." - Maria Ligaya.
