Be Original and Stop Comparing Yourself to Others



Let's face it: we all want to measure our skills, success, whatever. The problem comes in HOW we do this. Often, we find ourselves looking at the work of other photographers and feeling envious or defeated. "I'll never be that good." "They have better gear than me, that's why they are good." "They have the right connections, that's why they keep getting customers.".

Just stop it.

Photography is an excellent place to insert your own personality and vision into the pictures. For a majority of people, this is what draws them to specific photographers. We get all caught up in other people's work or success, not realizing that even if we did the exact same thing as them, we would just be a carbon copy. Nothing special that stands out among the thousands of other photographers out there.

Instead of paying so much attention to what other photographers are doing, start paying attention to what YOU are doing. What do you like? What kinds of things do you still need to learn to make those kinds of images? Being inspired by someone else is not the same as copying what they do. Borrow ideas, but make your own art.

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