Defining impostor syndrome, and a roundup of thoughts from professional photographers on how to conquer it.
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There is an unsettling, nagging worry that accompanies impostor syndrome, that somehow, someday, someone is going to find out that you’re a great big phony.
Impostor syndrome is the pervasive feeling that you’re faking your way through success, and that your achievements are attributable only to good luck. There is an unsettling, nagging worry that accompanies impostor syndrome, that somehow, someday, someone is going to find out that you’re a great big phony. That you’re really not as really good as you’ve cleverly convinced people that you are. That you’re a fraud.
In today’s post, I’ve decided to focus on impostor syndrome in the photography community, but everything herein can be easily extrapolated onto any professional field or any creative pursuit. I’ve collected some thoughts from a few of the I Heart Faces Creative Team; Amandalynn Jones and Julie Rivera, as well as Texas photographer Karyn Kelbaugh, and author, speaker, and photographer Tamara Lackey; all of whom are WordPress bloggers as well.
Photo by Jen Hooks.
You are the expert on you.
“…you are the boss of your art.” — Karyn Kelbaugh
Karyn Kelbaugh points out, “It all comes back to stopping looking elsewhere for validation, and realizing you are the boss of your art.” She advises that a critical step in overcoming impostor syndrome is realizing that what we’re really working toward is becoming the best version of ourselves. Setting realistic, measurable goals is one way of achieving this. You can’t deny your own success if you reach a goal that is plainly measurable. Set a goal to master exposure, or shaving time off of your editing workflow, or updating your photoblog daily. If you’re an aspiring professional, set a goal of how many jobs you’d like to book in a specific period of time.
Give yourself room to breathe, but hold yourself accountable. And most importantly, give yourself credit for the wins.
Photo by Karyn Kelbaugh of Karyn Kelbaugh Photography, used with permission.
Mind your thoughts.
“I think the simple act of noticing your thoughts can make a genuine dent in your feelings of inadequacy because, over time, you start to change your own mind about yourself.” -Tamara Lackey
An interesting thing about human nature is that we are able to easily evaluate external information and stimuli, but we have to make a conscious, often uncomfortable effort to examine our own thought processes and perceptions. Especially about ourselves.
Tamara Lackey relates, “One of the best practices I ever started was simply the act of watching my thoughts come in and trying to objectively see them for what they were – usually noisy, fear-based opinions that had nothing to do with my talents, my ability or my passion for this work. I think the simple act of noticing your thoughts can make a genuine dent in your feelings of inadequacy because, over time, you start to change your own mind about yourself.”
Most photographers and other creatives would agree; we are our own worst critics, and the ability to filter feelings of inadequacy is not a skill that is easily mastered. Learning to recognize damaging and unfair thoughts from our own inner voice is the first step in quieting them.
Photo by Tamara Lackey of Tamara Lackey Photography, used with permission.
Preparation is key.
“I had everything in place that an impartial outsider suggested I would need. Why should my opinion, clouded by self esteem issues and doubt, be more accurate?” – Julie Rivera
Have you dotted all of your i’s and crossed all of your t’s in preparation to share your work, but you’re still feeling like an impostor?
Julie Rivera recalls a pivotal moment for herself as a professional photographer, “My opinion of myself as a self-professed “Professional Photographer” finally changed when, after several years of using that title, I read yet another Steps to Owning a Photography Business article and mentally ticked off each item. Licenses, insurance, taxes, contracts, intentional pricing, solid business practices, a proven workflow and process, and consistent photographic results for clients. I had everything in place that an impartial outsider suggested I would need. Why should my opinion, clouded by self esteem issues and doubt, be more accurate?”
If people love your art, believe them. Give yourself permission to love it too.
Photo by Julie Rivera of Julie Rivera Photography, used with permission.
“Comparison is the death of joy.” – Mark Twain
It is important to not compare our learning phase to another artist’s pinnacle.
Comparison is at the heart of impostor syndrome, and it is especially damaging to creatives that are just beginning to explore their craft. The Internet is awash with stunning portfolios of professional artists that have already mastered their technique. Karyn shared a wonderful quote by Ira Glass, about “The Gap” between a person’s ambition and the quality of their work. Initially, that gap is pretty wide. With time and hard work, the gap begins to close, and skill more closely reflects the artist’s passion.
It is important to not compare our learning phase to another artist’s pinnacle.
Photo by Jen Hooks.
You can’t be brave unless you’re afraid.
One of the things that I tell my children is that they can’t be brave unless they’re afraid. Fear gives us an opportunity to rise up and be brave in the face of it. Impostor syndrome is largely born out of fear, and we are conditioned to fear fear.
Acknowledging fear gives us an opportunity to be brave.
Acknowledging the fear gives us an opportunity to be brave. Amandalynn Jones shares, “Somewhere into my third year as a professional photographer I realized that after every shoot, I bounced back and forth between eagerness to share the images as fast as I possibly could, and the sinking fear that when I showed what I’d made to others that someone would point out the obvious; that I had no actual talent or skill to celebrate. I have since found that when I am finally able to recognize and appreciate my own accomplishments, it’s only when I stop looking at what others are thinking or producing and focus on actively believing that what I am doing is worthwhile. Because it is.”
Photo by Amandalynn Jones of Amandalynn Jones Photography, used with permission.
Share your experiences.
“I still believe that at any time the no-talent police will come and arrest me.” – Actor Mike Myers
Do you see yourself as an impostor? Have you figured out how to defeat the feeling? Share your experience with us. Whether you are a photographer, writer, educator, or other creative type, your story may help someone else overcome impostor syndrome.
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The Daily Post 
Nice article.
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Nice
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Excellent blog article and very useful tips. Like a photographer myself, I have struggled on some of these. It’s hard to build confidence at the beginning and stop being afraid from “what clients would think of my work”.
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I feel like an impostor at times. When I compare myself to other local photographers, I wonder why I’m not as busy as some. I’ve also gone back to school to learn a language, and I know that it must look weird that I’m not shooting as much during the school year, but I feel like if I tell potential clients that I’m in school full-time, they might not take me seriously and not hire me. I need to figure out a balance because learning a new language is to help me get more clients, but I’m just too scared to admit to the public that I’ve taken a temporary step back to learn more.
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Although I don’t really do photography, I think that this applies to so many things. It seems as though no matter what I do I somehow feel that people will discover that I really have no talent or clue what I’m talking about. Thank you for bringing this to light and helping me along the way!
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every creative person is insecure about what they create – we all need some kind of validation – but I like the thought of validating yourself – smile.
I WAS a photographer – I still have the skills – but these days I don’t set up my pics as carefully as I used to – because the product shots I take are for selling on ebay or etsy – silly really – should give them as much care as I used to give a still life – maybe this article has given me the incentive to try a bit harder!
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Wow, this was a very thoughtful, interesting read! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
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I like to apply the Dada manifesto to controversy such as this; a creator creates due to an innate need to do so–not for any critique or outer validation from anyone else. But that could just be me.
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Wonderful read. I suffer from terrible imposter syndrome. I was accepted very late to grad school and I always tell my friends it feels like being picked last for dodgeball- “we had one spot left… I guess we’ll take Kate.” Bit irrational, but nice to know I’m not alone! I enjoyed your tips 🙂
– Kate
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I thought you’ve written this specially for me. My morning had been full of soul searching about my photos and my writing. Thank you for this. I’ve shared it with friends.
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This is excellent advice! I often feel this way about being a writer and graphic designer. I think my favorite piece of advice is that you are becoming the best YOU, you can be. So why compare you to someone else? There’s no comparison!
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What a great thought. I knew how I felt about getting into photography, but this puts it into words, and I didn’t know so many other people felt the same way. I love photography, and I want other people to love my photography as much as I do, but part of me still believes I am just a poser, or as you call it, an imposter.
Thank you for this.
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Great post!
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Thanks for the post. I haven’t posted a picture on my photo blog in a very long time because I didn’t believe in my talent.I am going to do something about that now. Thanks for the post .
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I think it’s really great that you added pictures to the thought-provoking post. That makes it a lot less boring. Keep up the good work!
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Earlier this year I performed for the first time as a dancer and choreographer following several years off and the birth of two children. When I first started working on a solo, and to be honest, throughout most of the process, I totally felt like this. It seems so silly on the one hand, considering my past experience and previous work. On the other hand, I am at a completely different place in life and without the support group I previously had because of a change in location. I often wonder what it would take to feel like an expert internally, to match my external credentials. I’m glad to hear about others experiences and know that I am not the only one who feels this way.
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