Overcoming Impostor Syndrome as a Photographer
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 FacesCreative Team; Amandalynn Jones and Julie Rivera, as well as Texas photographer Karyn Kelbaugh…
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Fascinating. And so true, for creative professionals especially–when taste is so very subjective, and that’s all you really have to go on to judge yourself, it’s tough to just trust your own opinion. Something a lot of people don’t know about me, I work in the arts, I paint and draw, I’ve done a fair number of shows and sold a fair number of pieces. But would I ever describe myself as an artist? No. I don’t even think I’m particularly good. Were I to call myself an artist, I would feel inconceivably awkward. I don’t know where the change happens for some people, but I imagine it’s a tough place to reach, and it takes some serious mental gymnastics.
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I agree! It’s so hard to finally take that step and use a label for yourself. It’s definitely awkward to say…I am THIS! And really believe it and not just think you’re full of shit and pumping up your own ego. I don’t know when that switch finally flicks on! I wish I knew the answer, but I do like how this piece mentions that you are becoming the best YOU, you can be, so you can’t really compare yourself to someone else.
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