A lack of confidence is, without a doubt, the most common barrier to people finding success in photography. That crippling thought process of "I'm not good enough" becomes so destructive that photographers never reach their full potential. If that sounds like you, we want to put an end to it and help you become a more confident photographer. Because when you have self-belief, it opens the door to a host of opportunities.
In this article, we're going to take you through the fundamental steps you need to take to get a much-needed confidence boost. And by implementing them, not only are you going to feel more assured, you're going to see success in other areas too. You'll see the development of your photographic voice, have an improvement in the quality of your photography, and create a brand that your customers relate to.
So let’s begin the transformation and make you a more confident photographer with these six simple steps.
When you first start your journey in photography, it's natural to experiment with different genres. It's all part of the learning process, and it's useful in the early days. But eventually, to make progress, you need to work towards finding your photographic voice. This means connecting with a style of photography that best speaks for you as an artist.
The most natural way to find your photographic voice is to pursue the genre of photography that you enjoy the most. From there, it's about being able to communicate your perspective of the world visually. Photographers may see the same scene, but they all see it differently. You need to ensure your vision is clear through the images you create - that's your photographic voice.
Once you've established what type of photographer you are, it's time for you to own your style and send a clear message to people about who you are. To do this, you have to be continually evolving your style while keeping a consistent brand. An example of this is getting a well-designed website and a Photologo that highlights how serious you are about your craft.
Frequent feedback we get from our customers is how much more attention their photography gets from people once they receive their uniquely designed Photologo. Having it on their images, website, and social media legitimizes their identity and ability - and makes them feel great about themselves.
If you need to start thinking more about your brand, order a bespoke Photologo and take your confidence up a notch!
Now your style and branding are in good shape; it's time to focus on the practical work - photography gigs. Because when you're working for a client, you need to have full confidence in your technical abilities, especially if you want them to book you again.
To achieve this, you need to become an expert in your genre. Educate yourself and research successful photographers in your field. See what they're doing and use it as inspiration for your journey. Practice even when you're not working, study lighting, angles, composition, equipment, and editing.
You need to have the situation under control in every possible scenario that may arise while on a shoot. Because being an expert means you can work more effectively. And knowing you're able to handle all situations will increase your confidence and allow you to focus on being creative, not on momentary stress.
Feedback is crucial for a photographer's continued development. And we don't mean from your friends and family. While their opinion is valid, it comes with an unavoidable bias, meaning you can never be sure if they genuinely like your work.
When you're following the step above and researching successful photographers in your field, think about making contact with them. Let them know who you are and build up to getting your work in front of their eyes. Many established photographers do portfolio reviews. They likely come at a cost, but see it as more of an investment rather than an unnecessary expense.
Getting positive feedback and constructive criticism from the best players in the game will give you a sense of direction. To be confident, you must know where you are at on your photographic journey.
One of the worst things a photographer can do is always to play it safe. So if you like to stay in your comfort zone, it's time to push yourself out of it! By taking calculated risks, you increase your chances of both development and success. And the risks you take don't need to be too daunting either.
Do you know that photography competition you have put off entering out of fear of being rejected? Well, it's time to put fear to one side and get submitting your best photographs. We can't promise you will win, but we know that by entering you will feel so much better about yourself. And imagine if you're one of the winners! Your confidence will shoot through the roof!
Whether you're a keen hobbyist or a seasoned pro, you'll know that at times, photography can be a lonely practice. And it's when we feel most isolated that we start second-guessing ourselves. Thoughts like, "do my clients really like me? Am I as good as I think I am?" can begin to filter through.
So the final step to becoming - and remaining - a confident photographer is to become part of a community.
In our online Photologo Community, (reserved to Photologo customers) we've created a culture that allows photographers to be a form of inspiration to one another. It's designed to let everyone give that little pat on the back and validate a photographer who has produced a great photograph. It's also a space where you can share your Photologo and get peace of mind that you made the right choice!
Working together and supporting each other helps build confidence, not only in your photography but in your life in general.
Reading articles about how to be a confident photographer is a significant step. But the real work comes through putting what you learn into practice. All the benefits we've outlined only come to fruition through your hard work and dedication. By implementing these steps you could make a leap into professional photography. Or if you're already a pro you can use them to increase your number of clients.
Whatever your goals are in photography, having the confidence in yourself will break down barriers and ensure that you achieve them.
