I don't know about everybody else, but I believe if Sean decided to put his camera down tomorrow and never pick it up again, he could certainly make a living as a gifted photographer teacher or a very busy therapist. It's such a powerful trifecta to be able to pass on your knowledge as a teacher, your creativity as an artist, but your understanding of the human condition in all of us and smooth out those rough edges. That's a gift in itself. Thank you, Sean.
I watched this episode while driving my car. I cried. Something snaped inside. I always refer to other Photographers with capital letter 'P', just as I always think about myself as of a photographer, with a small 'p'. They are the real ones, not me. I just take pictures. But listening to you....I guess I alowed myself to acknowledge me as a actual photographer. A relief I haven't felt for a long time...
From my humble experience, don't let that social platform we all know bring you down, paralyze you, or make you feel bad. The performance of any of your posts has nothing to do with the quality of your work but is dictated and regulated by an algorithm based on profit. If no one seems to like your work, it's because no one has been shown your work organically, or it has been shown to random people who are the least suited to understand its value. Feel free, keep shooting, and you'll grow. Your work should, first and foremost, satisfy yourself. Thank you for this video, a lot.
I started shooting 5 years ago. And I'd had an Instagram account for 3 years. And I didn't post for the longest time, because I didn't feel like I was good enough, or struggled with the idea that people found my pictures boring. It wasn't till recently that I took some pictures of a Forest fire where my uncle lives, and I shared them with him and he asked if he could share the pictures with the local newspaper, and they accepted one of my pictures. It blew my mind. And then shortly after that I was talking to one of my aunts friends(who happened to be an artists Coach, that helped people overcome artist blocks of all things) at a party, and she asked to see some of my work, and she loved my work, and then challenged me to post 100 pictures in 30 days on IG. So I finally after I had my picture accepted by the paper, it was the push I needed to get over the hump of "my pictures are too boring", to finally say "what have I got to lose" so I took the challenge. It took about a month before I took the jump. But having done it. Its helped calm my nerves in regards to sharing my work in a public forum.
„You belong here“ the most important sentence in this video for myself. Thank you 🙏 So I can grow and feel pleasure to grow, to feel pleasure seeing my photos become better over the years. Not spectacular, just more „myself“ , my message in documenting the life in my town. Maybe not important but important for myself. This video is one of my favorites. Thank you again. 🙏🙏🙏🙋
Sean is just great bro. he is the reason i am in film school if i'm being honest. I haven't even graduated yet, but I'm already earning a living from taking pictures. I have met some of my favorite musicians as a camera operator, and if I didn't see that video he made about his street photography experience with the Ricoh GR III, i probably wouldn't be where i am. He's been a huge inspiration and an insightful mentor. I love him so much, and i love his work. God bless him.
It doesn't help when your social conditioning says you must be humble and self deprecating at all costs. It took me awhile to own that I could consider myself a photographer even as a hobbyist. It took me awhile to realize it's ok to defend my artistic choices. Just the other day I posted a nature shot to a forum I belong to and the critical suggestions began to come in. Some I decided to try in a re-edit. Two people described a bird passing through the composition as distracting. I sat on that for several hours instead of going with a knee jerk reaction, then responded. "Ah, but the bird does not care what any of us think, it was just being a bird, doing bird things. I swear, I am going to have a tee shirt blazoned with the words, 'Nature does not care about your photo.'" Cartier-Bresson would have left the bird in, I bet. Thanks as always for great content.
7:11 "If I know where I’m actually at, and I’m willin to be honest about it, then I’m not a pretender to something that I don’t have, and so I don’t have to deal with imposter syndrome." This sentence is gold. Even though I wouldn’t have been able to put it that well, I started to understand this maybe two years ago. And it freed me to ACTUALLY pursue my goals. I’m transitioning to making photography my full-time job at the moment and it wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t let go of the idea of having to be perfect.
We need to protect Sean Tucker at all cost! I just want to say thank you! Not just this video but all your videos keep me going. I really appreciate you! 🙏🏽
Thank you so much, Sean. I think I needed to hear each and every word uttered by you here! For years, I too have been wondering whether I am good enough to call myself a photographer. Your words of comfort mean a great deal.
I stumbled upon one quote on impostor syndrome that is funny and sad at the same time. It was something along the lines of "I cannot have the impostor syndrome. Only the high skilled people have it." Anyway, thanks for sharing!
I am an amateur photographer who particularly enjoys macro, but my main love in art is wood carving. My family and friends tell me my work is exceptional but I only see my errors. I appreciate this video. Please keep making your content. Sometime I may actually show my work to someone else 👍❤️
I'm exactly the same with photography. Several people have said 'these photos are brilliant, get them printed and on the wall!' But I am a perfectionist. I see where the faults are in my images. I know that nothing I do will ever satisfy me. Nightmare. It seems you're the same.
Thank You Sean for again brining empathy and compassion to a video. I think these days social media is also a driver of Imposter Syndrome. When we don't get that validation from likes and comments this can play into it.
Imposter syndrome doesn't happen just in the creative arts. I'm a Registered Nurse (retired). Conversation one evening in the nurses station of an Emergency Department: Me: "I'm the most incompetent nurse I know." Other nurse: "Chuck, I've never seen you make a mistake." Me: "Then you aren't watching close enough because I make hundreds of mistakes a day." We can get so hung up on the mistakes that we make that we overlook the positive things that we do. How does this relate to photography? Well, recently I came across an old, dusty folder of photographs I took over 30 years ago. As I looked through them, I thought to myself, "These are pretty awesome photographs!" At the same time, I remembered how I was so critical of the mistakes (I thought) I had made in these photographs at the time. Thinking they were only, "meh." Years later, I find them to be pretty darn good and thinking to myself, "how did that happen?" As I take photographs today, I look at my photographs and think, "meh." 30 years from now, my descendants may look at them and might actually say, "hey, these are pretty awesome photographs!" If perfection is stagnation, then Heaven's a swamp.- Richard Bach
Totally agree that this video and advice are applicable beyond the creative arts. Another example: one sees it a lot in the language-learning community too. When can I call myself fluent? When can I say I speak X language? Etc. There is definitely gatekeeping, both internal and external, and it can discourage people from carrying on learning. The growth mindset is really important because it’s so hard to see the (incremental) progress.
Thanks for the great message, Sean. I work in healthcare and impostor syndrome is so common but rarely spoken of. I’ve learnt to embrace it and use it to reflect on improvements, but as an amateur photographer I often find it creeping up again.
There are many spiritual photographers who like to talk about mindful photography as a way of improving our wellbeing, but I feel that our yearning for ‘belonging’ is much deeper need and I’m so glad you’re talking about it.
I love teaching people that are less skilled than myself and I also enjoy seeing other's work because I learn from them as well. I've learned that there are various levels of skill and natural ability! Someone just starting and learning how to set up shots on their camera can put you in awe with their natural ability or eye for creating images!
This video is so on point! I love the 3rd suggestion most -- Celebrate Growth. So true. We each make strides along our journeys. We must take the time to celebrate the successes (and growth) along the way. Ignore the Gatekeepers! Thanks again, Sean - great video!
Motivation is the key for my artistic happiness. Photography (for myself) is a compulsion, and not a money making scheme to get away from my day job. I shoot accordingly and the pieces fall into place, sometimes I make money from a project, sometimes I'm paying out of pocket for gear... either way that photo will be taken, because I need to take that picture...
Getting connected or even a casual chat with another photographer whose work you like can be huge. A local guy is a fantastic bird photographer with his work getting published in prestigious bird related publications. One day I just flat out asked what tips he had to get better shots of birds and he shared them them without hesitation. They immediately elevated my attempts from "hmm" to "hey, not bad!" But even better is one someone reaches out to you for tips! That happened to me earlier this year and was quite a compliment.
When you said about finding like minded people to talk to and discover that they also have the same insecurities. I've recently found a place to do that, Never thought I would but the support from all the other photographers in it has been amazing. Even better its not just about "likes" if you ask for critique they actually talk sensibly and give you an insight into what they think your work shows or how they would edit, compose that scene.
Been struggling with this the past few days while doing a video for a client, I watched this and reminded me to keep going and ended up with a video that the client was thrilled with so thank you for that push 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️
Sean - your book, The Meaning in the Making, changed my perspective on my photography significantly. This video is an excellent reinforcement. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you for this video. I used to be in a photography group, having my photos 'judged' by my peers, most of them rejected because they were different from everyone else's. I left the group and I am much happier now. I try to learn via your videos, hopefully one day I'll manage a retreat
For me it s pretty straight forward (only valid for me): As long as I don t make a serious living with photography I m a "Amateur-Photographer" at best. And that s how I see myself. I m not claiming to be a photographer that learned it, studied it make a living with it. I would happily live with the "imposter-syndorm" then claiming something that I m not. I have seen so many really good photographers (your work included), that assures me it s better this way.
I just by your words learned, that my feelings, I sometimes have on my job, have a name. 😊 I think, that even if my boss introduces me as „the expert for [what I am doing]“ I don’t feel so, because I always have to learn and get into the problems and don’t have the direct solutions when I am asked. Thanks for bringing that up. It really enlightened me and encouraged me. 😃
Its good of you to bring this up. Speaking about myself, I feel that at times too much analysis is going on before a photograph is taken by other photographers. My most satisfying images of mine are the ones that just happened to be there and it looked good. Anything else is an effort for me.
I talked about this recently too and feel we all struggle with this from time to time, it was actually working with another more skilled photographer that naturally made me compare myself and doubt my ability. I challenged this negative thought pattern and didn't let it hold me back going forwards once I realised what was happening Great tips and very relatable video 👍
Thank you Sean ! Your video made my buddy pick up his camera again ! Well done ! Hello, Richard! The video you sent on photography made me think. I have been comparing my work to other images I see on the internet. I now realize the mistake I made by doing this. It caused me to put my camera down. I need to pick that camera up again and start shooting for ME. My enjoyment, my satisfaction. Challenge myself to do better but never compare. Doing so smothers one’s own creativity- and subsequently happiness. Thanks for the video, Brother! JD
Thank you for this encouragement. I've been photographing for a number of years & have been feeling pretty beaten down lately about my images. I needed to hear this!
Oh man I don’t know how the hell you know what to say when I need to hear it. This was such a good video and I truly enjoy watching them and have learned so much about myself and about photography. Thank you so much for what you do. You truly don’t know how much you help people.
When you said- “You belong” I got tears in my eyes! 😢 Thank you for not excluding me and others feeling like me. I don’t share, show or interact with other people when it comes to my photography. I’m so afraid that this part of my life will be ruined by others nasty comments so I prefer to not share. I’m at a very strange time in my life, where having photography means so much I don’t want to risk that by sharing, or at least I want to be sure about the person I choose to share my photos with, that their comments are coming from a good place (it’s not that I can’t take criticism, what I can’t take is nasty criticism). It’s not important for me to call myself a photographer, I’m just a person taking photos of things I like in the way I see it, but the problem is that other people assume that because I like photography I have to be a photographer. But depending on what you put into the word photographer I guess I can count myself as a photographer, I write with light which is the Greek definition of the word. Saving this video for times when the imposter syndrome hits me again 😅❤.
Great insight and advice as always. This especially speaks to me as someone who took up more serious photography later in life. I need to remember it's okay if I don't know as much as the "kids" 🙂
I just graduated and I’m currently looking for my first job. This is definitely something I have experienced as I’ve applied for jobs, written cover letters, and interviewed. Thank you for speaking about this topic, it is so applicable even outside of photography.
Hello Sean, thank you for this video! You motivated me to step out and show my work to the outside world. The first thing I did on Instagram was to describe myself as a photographer. Then I accepted a call to take part in an exhibition/competition with photos entitled City Lines, and in one week I created a homepage with Scquarspace with my name. Yesterday I activated it and attended the vernissage of the exhibition. I made new contacts and had a wonderful time. Thank you very much, I love your work.
A most helpful video. I am old now and it is somewhat late for me, but I really do hope young people, many many young people, see this video and accept the wisdom it contains. It could make the difference for them. Thank you, Sean.
Great video and asks valuable points. I'm a professional photographer of 10 years and last year I had my first street photography book published. An incredible pinnacle to get an actual published book of my photos, but I still suffer with imposter syndrome. Either I don't feel like I belong, good enough, gaps in knowledge are just 3 points that run through my head at times. But when I was doing podcasts to launch the book other photographers were blown away that I had an actual printed book, it was nice to hear and gave me a lot of pride to my achievements, but the doubts still kick in, it's almost like I'm not allowed to sit back and appreciate what I have achieved in peace.
Thanks for the video Sean. It came at the right moment, as I was feeling pretty awful about my photograhy at a recent big event. I'd never done portrait photography before and so i felt very uncomfortable and don't like my results - but taking a step back its quite clear that a first attempt at anything will likely not go smoothly, and beating myself up about like "i shouldve known better" perhaps isnt realistic. Thanks again.
Sean, thankyou for this video. your timing could not have been better. After a wonderful trip to Alaska and Canada and looking at my images after editing, I still 2 months later haven't put anything 'out there" why? you said it , I didn't think they were good enough. Now I will re visit and post, as after 7 years of photography I too thought " these should be better'. great video as always.
Timely words and timely video for the place I’m currently. Didn’t realize that tendency towards isolation can be a part of impostor syndrome but it fits. Thanks for clearing my vision.
so many of us creative folks try to justify our particular skill in comparison to folk that are paid to do that skill for a living, where in reality, to partake in the act of using a camera makes you a photographer! just like using a set of golf clubs every saturday makes you a golfer! how you perceive your skill level is up to you and who you choose to compare against, unless of course you are being paid to do so, if thats the case you will soon learn what you are worth! i have just started an instagram for my street photos where i post the images i have taken that i like, just for me, of course i would love critique from a pro to gauge how good or bad i am but i will still take photos that i like to take, and consider myself a photographer (as well as a collector of canon gear)
I know that many photo and videographers are better than me but i know i get better week by week so i dont care. Just watch you work with realistic eyes. Does it look good? Why does it look good? Why does it not look good? What do others to get the look i want? Just learn and never stop! 🍀
Part of the problem is academic education, which most of us have been subjected to in our lifetimes. Academic education crushes those who make mistakes despite teaching that humans learn by making mistakes. Don't pass on learning because of the failure that is academic education. I wish I could have liked this video 1000 times. As always, it is excellent advice, delivered with humility and honesty. Not surprisingly we all need to hear the truth from those who we trust. We cannot put our trust in someone who is more concerned with not hurting our feelings than being honest. Humans build resilience (some call it self-esteem) by putting ourselves out there, getting knocked down, and then getting back up. The struggle is real, friends. It sucks when you are going through it but keep faith that you will be better for it. Denying yourself the struggle is the path of a miserable life.
Thank you Sean for creating and sharing this video. I have heard similar perspectives on this subject but none have resonated with me as your video today. It has given me the extra level of confidence to proceed. Warmest regards. . . . Keith (Canadz)
This really hit home, thank you for another great video, Sean. Really wonderful advice on how to counter those tough feelings, feeling very inspired (as is usually the case with your films)🙏 This is also one of my favourite pieces of music, lovely choice ❤️
Thank you, and I am not even "attempting" to be a photographer (yet) as I do not own a proper camera, but I am "getting there" after 50 years of absence (Canon AE1, late 70's) However, I am not completely lost for words to the context, I've got one left: Brilliant!
Thanks for a great video Sean. I learned so much from each of your videos. Your previous videos on White balance have stopped me from playing around with filters and settings on my GR3.
I don't know about everybody else, but I believe if Sean decided to put his camera down tomorrow and never pick it up again, he could certainly make a living as a gifted photographer teacher or a very busy therapist. It's such a powerful trifecta to be able to pass on your knowledge as a teacher, your creativity as an artist, but your understanding of the human condition in all of us and smooth out those rough edges. That's a gift in itself. Thank you, Sean.
I heard something a while that said something along the lines of “you’re a photographer as soon as you intentionally compose a photo”.
Amen
Thank you for this!
I was going to say, "when you look at a photo you took," but now I think you're right. It starts before the photo is taken.
I watched this episode while driving my car. I cried. Something snaped inside. I always refer to other Photographers with capital letter 'P', just as I always think about myself as of a photographer, with a small 'p'. They are the real ones, not me. I just take pictures. But listening to you....I guess I alowed myself to acknowledge me as a actual photographer. A relief I haven't felt for a long time...
That's great to hear my friend.
While driving your car?!
i was messaging a mate this morning telling i have imposter syndrome. this video was timely and v much needed. thank you
While driving your car, huh?
After so many clicks , I realized: Those pictures are just for me, and sometime takes me years to see their beauty. ❤
From my humble experience, don't let that social platform we all know bring you down, paralyze you, or make you feel bad. The performance of any of your posts has nothing to do with the quality of your work but is dictated and regulated by an algorithm based on profit. If no one seems to like your work, it's because no one has been shown your work organically, or it has been shown to random people who are the least suited to understand its value. Feel free, keep shooting, and you'll grow. Your work should, first and foremost, satisfy yourself. Thank you for this video, a lot.
I started shooting 5 years ago. And I'd had an Instagram account for 3 years. And I didn't post for the longest time, because I didn't feel like I was good enough, or struggled with the idea that people found my pictures boring. It wasn't till recently that I took some pictures of a Forest fire where my uncle lives, and I shared them with him and he asked if he could share the pictures with the local newspaper, and they accepted one of my pictures. It blew my mind. And then shortly after that I was talking to one of my aunts friends(who happened to be an artists Coach, that helped people overcome artist blocks of all things) at a party, and she asked to see some of my work, and she loved my work, and then challenged me to post 100 pictures in 30 days on IG. So I finally after I had my picture accepted by the paper, it was the push I needed to get over the hump of "my pictures are too boring", to finally say "what have I got to lose" so I took the challenge. It took about a month before I took the jump. But having done it. Its helped calm my nerves in regards to sharing my work in a public forum.
What’s your ig? I’d love to check it out
what's your Instagram handle? I would love to see your work.
And now I'm curious to see your photos and what photo got accepted to the paper🙂
@@jimmywestphoto found and tagged you on my post on IG since you were curious. 😊
„You belong here“ the most important sentence in this video for myself. Thank you 🙏
So I can grow and feel pleasure to grow, to feel pleasure seeing my photos become better over the years. Not spectacular, just more „myself“ , my message in documenting the life in my town. Maybe not important but important for myself.
This video is one of my favorites. Thank you again. 🙏🙏🙏🙋
True humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
original quote by CS Lewis: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.”
So many of us will benefit from hearing this balanced and rational perspective. You have done many a great service with this peice.
Sean is just great bro. he is the reason i am in film school if i'm being honest. I haven't even graduated yet, but I'm already earning a living from taking pictures. I have met some of my favorite musicians as a camera operator, and if I didn't see that video he made about his street photography experience with the Ricoh GR III, i probably wouldn't be where i am. He's been a huge inspiration and an insightful mentor. I love him so much, and i love his work. God bless him.
That's so kind mate, thank you.
Thanks so much Matt.
It doesn't help when your social conditioning says you must be humble and self deprecating at all costs. It took me awhile to own that I could consider myself a photographer even as a hobbyist. It took me awhile to realize it's ok to defend my artistic choices. Just the other day I posted a nature shot to a forum I belong to and the critical suggestions began to come in. Some I decided to try in a re-edit. Two people described a bird passing through the composition as distracting. I sat on that for several hours instead of going with a knee jerk reaction, then responded. "Ah, but the bird does not care what any of us think, it was just being a bird, doing bird things. I swear, I am going to have a tee shirt blazoned with the words, 'Nature does not care about your photo.'" Cartier-Bresson would have left the bird in, I bet.
Thanks as always for great content.
In this case, just ask yourself if YOU like the bird being in the shot. If so, keep the bird!
@@johnchedsey1306 I most certainly kept the bird.
7:11 "If I know where I’m actually at, and I’m willin to be honest about it, then I’m not a pretender to something that I don’t have, and so I don’t have to deal with imposter syndrome."
This sentence is gold. Even though I wouldn’t have been able to put it that well, I started to understand this maybe two years ago. And it freed me to ACTUALLY pursue my goals. I’m transitioning to making photography my full-time job at the moment and it wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t let go of the idea of having to be perfect.
Thanks Rick:)
@@seantuck Thank YOU! ;) "The Meaning in the Making" played a big role in my journey! In combinadion with "Art & Fear".
We need to protect Sean Tucker at all cost! I just want to say thank you! Not just this video but all your videos keep me going. I really appreciate you! 🙏🏽
Thank you so much, Sean. I think I needed to hear each and every word uttered by you here! For years, I too have been wondering whether I am good enough to call myself a photographer. Your words of comfort mean a great deal.
I stumbled upon one quote on impostor syndrome that is funny and sad at the same time.
It was something along the lines of "I cannot have the impostor syndrome. Only the high skilled people have it."
Anyway, thanks for sharing!
I am an amateur photographer who particularly enjoys macro, but my main love in art is wood carving. My family and friends tell me my work is exceptional but I only see my errors. I appreciate this video. Please keep making your content. Sometime I may actually show my work to someone else 👍❤️
I'm exactly the same with photography. Several people have said 'these photos are brilliant, get them printed and on the wall!' But I am a perfectionist. I see where the faults are in my images. I know that nothing I do will ever satisfy me. Nightmare. It seems you're the same.
I admire your modesty; because of it I trust that your work is of a very good standard.
Always a good day when you release a new video Sean.
Can't express how much I needed to hear this. Thank you Sean!
Thank You Sean for again brining empathy and compassion to a video. I think these days social media is also a driver of Imposter Syndrome. When we don't get that validation from likes and comments this can play into it.
Imposter syndrome doesn't happen just in the creative arts.
I'm a Registered Nurse (retired).
Conversation one evening in the nurses station of an Emergency Department:
Me: "I'm the most incompetent nurse I know."
Other nurse: "Chuck, I've never seen you make a mistake."
Me: "Then you aren't watching close enough because I make hundreds of mistakes a day."
We can get so hung up on the mistakes that we make that we overlook the positive things that we do.
How does this relate to photography? Well, recently I came across an old, dusty folder of photographs I took over 30 years ago. As I looked through them, I thought to myself, "These are pretty awesome photographs!" At the same time, I remembered how I was so critical of the mistakes (I thought) I had made in these photographs at the time. Thinking they were only, "meh." Years later, I find them to be pretty darn good and thinking to myself, "how did that happen?" As I take photographs today, I look at my photographs and think, "meh." 30 years from now, my descendants may look at them and might actually say, "hey, these are pretty awesome photographs!"
If perfection is stagnation, then Heaven's a swamp.- Richard Bach
Thanks mate, good point and great quote:)
Totally agree that this video and advice are applicable beyond the creative arts. Another example: one sees it a lot in the language-learning community too. When can I call myself fluent? When can I say I speak X language? Etc. There is definitely gatekeeping, both internal and external, and it can discourage people from carrying on learning. The growth mindset is really important because it’s so hard to see the (incremental) progress.
Thanks for the great message, Sean. I work in healthcare and impostor syndrome is so common but rarely spoken of. I’ve learnt to embrace it and use it to reflect on improvements, but as an amateur photographer I often find it creeping up again.
In my case, procrastination goes hand in and with imposter syndrome. I'll have to watch this video again tomorrow. Thankyou Sean.
There are many spiritual photographers who like to talk about mindful photography as a way of improving our wellbeing, but I feel that our yearning for ‘belonging’ is much deeper need and I’m so glad you’re talking about it.
I love teaching people that are less skilled than myself and I also enjoy seeing other's work because I learn from them as well. I've learned that there are various levels of skill and natural ability! Someone just starting and learning how to set up shots on their camera can put you in awe with their natural ability or eye for creating images!
This video is so on point! I love the 3rd suggestion most -- Celebrate Growth. So true. We each make strides along our journeys. We must take the time to celebrate the successes (and growth) along the way. Ignore the Gatekeepers! Thanks again, Sean - great video!
Motivation is the key for my artistic happiness. Photography (for myself) is a compulsion, and not a money making scheme to get away from my day job. I shoot accordingly and the pieces fall into place, sometimes I make money from a project, sometimes I'm paying out of pocket for gear... either way that photo will be taken, because I need to take that picture...
Getting connected or even a casual chat with another photographer whose work you like can be huge. A local guy is a fantastic bird photographer with his work getting published in prestigious bird related publications. One day I just flat out asked what tips he had to get better shots of birds and he shared them them without hesitation. They immediately elevated my attempts from "hmm" to "hey, not bad!"
But even better is one someone reaches out to you for tips! That happened to me earlier this year and was quite a compliment.
Just what I needed to hear today. Thank you so much for this!
I think the quotation "Comparison is the thief of joy" is apropos to this topic.
I really really love this saying, because it's just so true
When you said about finding like minded people to talk to and discover that they also have the same insecurities. I've recently found a place to do that, Never thought I would but the support from all the other photographers in it has been amazing. Even better its not just about "likes" if you ask for critique they actually talk sensibly and give you an insight into what they think your work shows or how they would edit, compose that scene.
Been struggling with this the past few days while doing a video for a client, I watched this and reminded me to keep going and ended up with a video that the client was thrilled with so thank you for that push 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️
Right video at the right time. Value instead of recognition.
Thank you so much, Sean.
Sean - your book, The Meaning in the Making, changed my perspective on my photography significantly. This video is an excellent reinforcement. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you for this video. I used to be in a photography group, having my photos 'judged' by my peers, most of them rejected because they were different from everyone else's. I left the group and I am much happier now. I try to learn via your videos, hopefully one day I'll manage a retreat
For me it s pretty straight forward (only valid for me): As long as I don t make a serious living with photography I m a "Amateur-Photographer" at best. And that s how I see myself. I m not claiming to be a photographer that learned it, studied it make a living with it. I would happily live with the "imposter-syndorm" then claiming something that I m not. I have seen so many really good photographers (your work included), that assures me it s better this way.
I just by your words learned, that my feelings, I sometimes have on my job, have a name. 😊
I think, that even if my boss introduces me as „the expert for [what I am doing]“ I don’t feel so, because I always have to learn and get into the problems and don’t have the direct solutions when I am asked.
Thanks for bringing that up. It really enlightened me and encouraged me. 😃
Its good of you to bring this up. Speaking about myself, I feel that at times too much analysis is going on before a photograph is taken by other photographers. My most satisfying images of mine are the ones that just happened to be there and it looked good. Anything else is an effort for me.
I talked about this recently too and feel we all struggle with this from time to time, it was actually working with another more skilled photographer that naturally made me compare myself and doubt my ability. I challenged this negative thought pattern and didn't let it hold me back going forwards once I realised what was happening Great tips and very relatable video 👍
Thank you Sean ! Your video made my buddy pick up his camera again ! Well done !
Hello, Richard!
The video you sent on photography made me think. I have been comparing my work to other images I see on the internet. I now realize the mistake I made by doing this. It caused me to put my camera down.
I need to pick that camera up again and start shooting for ME. My enjoyment, my satisfaction. Challenge myself to do better but never compare. Doing so smothers one’s own creativity- and subsequently happiness.
Thanks for the video, Brother!
JD
I love that. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you for this encouragement. I've been photographing for a number of years & have been feeling pretty beaten down lately about my images. I needed to hear this!
That ending was amazing!!!! Gave me the strength I need to keep going 🎉
Oh man I don’t know how the hell you know what to say when I need to hear it. This was such a good video and I truly enjoy watching them and have learned so much about myself and about photography. Thank you so much for what you do. You truly don’t know how much you help people.
In love with your work and vision, and even more so with your exceptional ability to communicate.
Thank you Sean for your words, I needed to hear "you belong". Thank you.
What an uplifting video. I feel better about myself already. Thankyou Sean
Thank you
When you said- “You belong” I got tears in my eyes! 😢
Thank you for not excluding me and others feeling like me. I don’t share, show or interact with other people when it comes to my photography. I’m so afraid that this part of my life will be ruined by others nasty comments so I prefer to not share. I’m at a very strange time in my life, where having photography means so much I don’t want to risk that by sharing, or at least I want to be sure about the person I choose to share my photos with, that their comments are coming from a good place (it’s not that I can’t take criticism, what I can’t take is nasty criticism). It’s not important for me to call myself a photographer, I’m just a person taking photos of things I like in the way I see it, but the problem is that other people assume that because I like photography I have to be a photographer. But depending on what you put into the word photographer I guess I can count myself as a photographer, I write with light which is the Greek definition of the word. Saving this video for times when the imposter syndrome hits me again 😅❤.
Great insight and advice as always. This especially speaks to me as someone who took up more serious photography later in life. I need to remember it's okay if I don't know as much as the "kids" 🙂
Thank you.
I can't say much more. Your videos are really helpful and inspirational.
I appreciate the advice you give. Really puts things in perspective. Thank you!
I just graduated and I’m currently looking for my first job. This is definitely something I have experienced as I’ve applied for jobs, written cover letters, and interviewed. Thank you for speaking about this topic, it is so applicable even outside of photography.
Hello Sean, thank you for this video! You motivated me to step out and show my work to the outside world. The first thing I did on Instagram was to describe myself as a photographer. Then I accepted a call to take part in an exhibition/competition with photos entitled City Lines, and in one week I created a homepage with Scquarspace with my name. Yesterday I activated it and attended the vernissage of the exhibition. I made new contacts and had a wonderful time.
Thank you very much, I love your work.
Fantastic! And very relatable, Sean. Thank you.
It's great to get a diagnosis on how I am feeling about my photography. Thanks Dr Sean another fantastic video
Cheers Sean, appreciate your words and thoughts!
Thank you very much for such a powerful message. I appreciate your time and effort making this for us.
Wise words- thank you 🙏🏻
Thanks, Sean
This is so encouraging. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this video Sean, very inspirational.
This. I need to absorb these words and fill my being. Thanks for sharing.
Such a needed and valuable voice in this crazy world. Thank you.
A most helpful video. I am old now and it is somewhat late for me, but I really do hope young people, many many young people, see this video and accept the wisdom it contains. It could make the difference for them. Thank you, Sean.
Thank you for such an inspiring message.
Great video and asks valuable points. I'm a professional photographer of 10 years and last year I had my first street photography book published. An incredible pinnacle to get an actual published book of my photos, but I still suffer with imposter syndrome. Either I don't feel like I belong, good enough, gaps in knowledge are just 3 points that run through my head at times. But when I was doing podcasts to launch the book other photographers were blown away that I had an actual printed book, it was nice to hear and gave me a lot of pride to my achievements, but the doubts still kick in, it's almost like I'm not allowed to sit back and appreciate what I have achieved in peace.
Thanks for this, Sean. Something I really needed to hear at this time. It's lifted me.
Very much needed to hear this. Thank you for this Sean.
Thank you for this.
Thank you, I really needed this today.
Thanks for the video Sean. It came at the right moment, as I was feeling pretty awful about my photograhy at a recent big event. I'd never done portrait photography before and so i felt very uncomfortable and don't like my results - but taking a step back its quite clear that a first attempt at anything will likely not go smoothly, and beating myself up about like "i shouldve known better" perhaps isnt realistic. Thanks again.
Pat yourself on the back for trying, learn the lessons, and move forward:)
As always, fantastic video. Thank you.
Thanks Sean, really needed this, keep up the great work.
Sean, thank you for the video. I’m sure it’s boosted the self esteem of many people.
Great work and well done.
Many thanks, Neil.
This is pretty amazing. Story and photos at the end. It makes a lot of sense. Thank you! Cheers 🙂
Great commentary and advice Sean. Also enjoyed all the wonderful and different photos at the end. ❤ Good work.
Sean, thankyou for this video. your timing could not have been better. After a wonderful trip to Alaska and Canada and looking at my images after editing, I still 2 months later haven't put anything 'out there" why? you said it , I didn't think they were good enough. Now I will re visit and post, as after 7 years of photography I too thought " these should be better'. great video as always.
Wonderful message.. thanks for sharing ☺️
For the first time in over ten years of photography, I called myself a photographer. Thank you for the confidence to do so.
Love it!
Timely words and timely video for the place I’m currently. Didn’t realize that tendency towards isolation can be a part of impostor syndrome but it fits. Thanks for clearing my vision.
fantastic, true and honest. thanks
Thank you for this inspirational video. It's just what I needed to hear.
so many of us creative folks try to justify our particular skill in comparison to folk that are paid to do that skill for a living, where in reality, to partake in the act of using a camera makes you a photographer! just like using a set of golf clubs every saturday makes you a golfer! how you perceive your skill level is up to you and who you choose to compare against, unless of course you are being paid to do so, if thats the case you will soon learn what you are worth! i have just started an instagram for my street photos where i post the images i have taken that i like, just for me, of course i would love critique from a pro to gauge how good or bad i am but i will still take photos that i like to take, and consider myself a photographer (as well as a collector of canon gear)
Brilliant. Thank you
Just a big thank you.
Thanks a lot...that talk to me ! Have a great day Sean !
I know that many photo and videographers are better than me but i know i get better week by week so i dont care. Just watch you work with realistic eyes. Does it look good? Why does it look good? Why does it not look good? What do others to get the look i want? Just learn and never stop! 🍀
When I felt like it was going to happen to me again, your video came out. Thank you! 🙏 ☺ Gonna Believe in yourself!
Thank you very much ❤
Your videos are always of such high quality, I only wish you were able to do more of them.
Thanks Thomas:)
This is the best advice I’ve ever heard as a person who has had 9 years in photography
Part of the problem is academic education, which most of us have been subjected to in our lifetimes. Academic education crushes those who make mistakes despite teaching that humans learn by making mistakes. Don't pass on learning because of the failure that is academic education.
I wish I could have liked this video 1000 times. As always, it is excellent advice, delivered with humility and honesty.
Not surprisingly we all need to hear the truth from those who we trust. We cannot put our trust in someone who is more concerned with not hurting our feelings than being honest. Humans build resilience (some call it self-esteem) by putting ourselves out there, getting knocked down, and then getting back up.
The struggle is real, friends. It sucks when you are going through it but keep faith that you will be better for it. Denying yourself the struggle is the path of a miserable life.
Thanks Charles. Good point about education these days.
Such a brilliant video, thank you for sharing your experience!……🙏💐
Thank you Sean for creating and sharing this video. I have heard similar perspectives on this subject but none have resonated with me as your video today. It has given me the extra level of confidence to proceed. Warmest regards. . . . Keith (Canadz)
That's great to hear Keith.
9:57😮😮😮 I think my vision just completely changed😮
This was needed. Thank you
This really hit home, thank you for another great video, Sean. Really wonderful advice on how to counter those tough feelings, feeling very inspired (as is usually the case with your films)🙏
This is also one of my favourite pieces of music, lovely choice ❤️
Thank you, and I am not even "attempting" to be a photographer (yet) as I do not own a proper camera, but I am "getting there" after 50 years of absence (Canon AE1, late 70's)
However, I am not completely lost for words to the context, I've got one left: Brilliant!
I could listen to you read a random to-do list and ramble on about lint in the dryer trap. Thanks for the videos.
Thanks for a great video Sean. I learned so much from each of your videos. Your previous videos on White balance have stopped me from playing around with filters and settings on my GR3.
I really liked your video and the new images.