Rise and shine by loving yourself – diss the dull stuff

The most frustrating thing for school kids are trying to keep up with the stuff they are not good at and/or the energy they spend, trying to be liked by other kids that perhaps don´t really treat them very well.

I remember how I struggled with math, I remember how I struggled to fit in with the popular kids and I remember the hours I spend worrying about both!

But I also remember the day I realized that I could choose to let go of all of the above! I was 16 and I felt powerful for the first time in my life!

I started spending time with people who were kind, fun and inspiring to be around. I started focusing on doing the things that made me happy. I skipped math for good…..(sorry mum)… and it felt so good to allow myself to nurture my art and my sport.

So what´s my point with this little childhood story…?

As aspiring photographer you might struggle with some parts of photography, just as I struggled with math as a child. I know I struggled a lot with finding the right light when I first started out – I just did not get it! It also took me over a year to learn to shoot in manual because it reminded me of…yes, math

I decided to focus on what I was good at in stead, which was connecting with people and make them feel comfortable. I also had a natural flair for styling, so that was what I build my business on in the beginning – being a good people person and creative stylist.

When you focus on the skills you are good at, when you follow your passions and what you have a natural flair for, and leave the rest in the background, you´ll naturally become more confident. That confidence will in the end help you progress in other areas. Little by little I became good at seeing the light and I finally managed to shoot in manual. It was skills I needed to develop in my own pace.

Don´t be hard on yourself and feel less like a photographer, just because there are skills which you don´t master yet!

Don´t be intimidated by the popular people in the world of photography – don´t compare yourself to any other photographer and don´t ever let someone put you or your work down!

You are on a journey, a beautiful photography journey. On this journey, focus on yourself, focus on the skills you already master and let your confidence grow. In the end, by being supportive of yourself and follow your passion, you will flourish like a delicate flower and reach your goals.

And hey…don´t forget to diss the dull people