The Time I Was Accused of Copying Another Photographer
Recently I gave a talk for a local photography group. My talk was mostly about business but of course I talked about lighting, because business and lighting are so connected. At the end of the talk I was asked, knowing what I know now, what advice would I give to photographers just starting out. My answer: don’t be afraid to ask for help.
The start of my career.
When I started my career I had NO idea what I was doing. I started doing photography as a side hustle and I was 100% self taught, which made me self conscious. I felt weird— almost guilty—charging money. I felt like an imposter, like sooner or later my clients would figure out that I didn’t actually know what I was doing and I’d be called out for being a fraud.
I started as a maternity photographer without a portfolio. It was the 90s and maternity photography wasn’t what it is now. I knew nothing about photography or business. I didn’t know who the local photographers were. After about a year of me doing my side hustle, I had a collection of some really pretty work that I printed and framed and brought to hang at a local store.
Remember, my biggest fear at this time was that someone would discover that I didn’t know what I was doing and call me out for being a fraud.
My biggest fear happened.
One day I got a call from one of the stores that was showing my work saying I needed to come pick up my pictures. Someone had complained and I needed to take them down. I was horrified. I thought someone figured out that I’m not a “real photographer”.
I was so anxious. I drove to the store to pick up my photos and the woman at the store tells me that it was a customer who complained. Everyone loved the photos, but another photographer accused me of copying her. She told me who the woman was, showed me her work—and our work did look similar. She also was shooting on BW film, her subject was a pregnant woman and she was using natural light. However, I’d never seen her work before then. I KNEW I’d done nothing wrong, but it was still an awful feeling.
I ended up calling this woman and meeting for coffee, but the meeting didn’t go well. She was convinced I was copying her. I told her that I was new and really didn’t know anything about the industry. She told me that I was bringing the industry down and should stop. Obviously, I didn’t.
That incident had a HUGE impact on me. I was already afraid of being found out as a fraud, and then I’d actually been called out as a fraud by another photographer. I really loved photography and wanted to keep doing it, but as I grew and started to bump up against problems, I didn’t reach out for help. I was embarrassed by what I didn’t know, and I didn’t want others to know that. I believed that other photographers wouldn’t take me seriously because I’m self taught and so I stayed isolated, which stunted my growth. It took me years to figure out the things I know now, and I struggled with self doubt and imposter syndrome the entire time.
Eventually, my skills improved. I got to the point where I knew my stuff and with competency came confidence. When I got to the point that I really knew what I was doing, I felt my imposter syndrome improve. But when I got into the education space, it kind of all came back. I was so afraid other photographers would think of me as an imposter because I’m self taught, but that of course didn't happen. Most of my colleagues in that space are super lovely people!
My why.
Remembering those feelings, that is why I’m SO passionate about helping other photographers. And honestly, that is why I’m launching my certification program. I want YOU to know that you know your craft like the back of your hand, because certainty like that breeds confidence. I want to mentor you and show you how good you are at what you do, and also point out where you need some improvements. I want to lend my name, brand and 24 years of experience to you to use! I want to refer you and share your name with people around the world and list you on my international directory.
I never want you to feel the way I felt back in the day. Feeling unsure, feeling like an imposter, feeling worried that at some point someone is going to call you out will keep you playing small. I don’t want that for you.
So I’ve created a program that will teach you the skills you need but also will test you and give you an earned stamp of approval so you can go out into the world and share your God-given gifts with confidence!
I’m SO excited about this program! You can join the waitlist here.
