Fun in La Jolla with a fellow photographer ... a little pick-me-up for new photographers! Mar 20th | filed in: Photography tips

Yesterday was a wonderful day!

I met with Autumn for a few hours of camera & photo talk.

Autumn is well on her way towards success in photography,
and it was so great to talk with her for hours and answer her questions
about cameras, business, lenses, light, and more!

Her story is a LOT like mine.
If you were to go back in time about 6 years,
you'd find me at the beach with a camera and lenses a lot like hers.
Just trade the digi for film, since my first SLR camera was a 35mm Canon Rebel.
She's been discovering her skill for capturing expressions, moments, and personality,
and she's working really hard at incresing her technical knowledge so she can
feel more confident with her equipment and move beyond shooting in AUTO modes.

A lot of us have been there -- am I right???

While I was talking with her, I kept remembering myself at that point in this photography journey.

I was REALLY self-conscious, and I would spend HOURS looking at photographers' websites
crying about how my photos sucked in comparison.

I was excited about learning more and improving, and I felt like I had the potential
to do really great things with my skills and my camera,
but then I'd sabotage myself by getting stuck in a funk of self-doubt.

I think self-doubt is a good thing in moderation.
The arrogant and over-confident opposite would be even more detrimental to a photographer's growth!
I'm not sure if this is a female issue, but it sure seems like women are
much more likely to fall into that self-doubt funk.

If any of this sounds familiar to you, please know you're not alone!!
My advice: give yourself a LITTLE bit of self-doubt and "I SUCK" time,
but STOP YOURSELF and go practice more with your camera so you can improve!
Also, remember that every photographer suffers from "I-SUCK-ITIS,"
probably more recently and frequently than you'd think!!!

OK, I'm done preaching for today ... time to hop off this rickety soap box!

Thank you, so much, Autumn for coming to La Jolla yesterday.
It was WONDERFUL meeting you and spending the morning together.

Also, thank you to Judy & Greta's mommies for bringing their princesses
to the beach yesterday so Autumn and I could practice!

I've been taking pictures of these families since before these princesses were even born,
and it was great to see them again!

Happy Friday!!

~Carey