How did you break out of your shell?

[mamapaparazzi]

Maybe I'm just in one of these moods today, but my question to all of you is: How did you break out of your shell? As in, what was it that made you more confident about your photography?

I love photography. I take my P&S everywhere and sometimes take my SLR to bigger family functions. However, I know I'm seriously lacking self-confidence. How do I get over this? I don't know if it's just because some of my family is very...I don't know how to describe them I guess. Not supportive of things I guess. I mean, I have had people in my family (and a few friends) tell me that they love my stuff (but of course, mom is biased, so I can't truly trust her opinion).

Anyways, I don't want to ramble on all night about it, just looking for some advice on how to build confidence. Other than the obvious: get out and practice and build my skills.

Thanks, L

[Raoul Isidro]

Back in high school, I was the official school sports photographer by default because nobody wanted to handle a TLR or even an SLR as it looked so nerdy. The lettermen would not settle for any lesser glamour shots... so I had better get it right with only 36 shots per roll of only 2 rolls budgeted to the editor's account. I didn't want those hunks banging on my classroom door...

[candleman]

Originally Posted by Raoul Isidro

Back in high school, I was the official school sports photographer by default because nobody wanted to handle a TLR or even an SLR as it looked so nerdy. The lettermen would not settle for any lesser glamour shots... so I had better get it right with only 36 shots per roll of only 2 rolls budgeted to the editor's account. I didn't want those hunks banging on my classroom door...

[Jim Poor]

I'm a very introverted person by nature so I had to break out of my shell a while back. I did it by singing karaoke every night! I still have to work hard, but I tell folks I'm not an introvert, but a closet extrovert.

Not directly related to photography, but definitely related to confidence and getting out there.

[SuperDan]

Honestly.. though, who are you doing this for? are you doing this for acceptance into your family or are you wanting to do this for yourself? it sounds like a little of both, but your confidence comes from within.... only you can make things happen.

Similarly to Raoul, back in high school I was in yearbook... i always had my pentax attached and people loved my work... blah... in college still played and did a little yearbook... interestingly enough life got to me... i got out of photography and honestly lost alot of good things to not doing it... for example, i didnt get the photos "I wanted" for the births and beginnings of my children... sure we got portraits done and all.. but, i missed out on some precious opportunities...
secondly i felt that i needed something to reconnect with... it gave me out an outlet for my creativity... it gives me something to do... and it makes me feel good...
what made me go and buy a new DSLR and dive right back in... thats a fairly tough question, and an even longer winded answer... but... I am glad that i did it... I still find myself wanting to do more, but still hesitant... for example, i want to get into portrait work... but... am building up to it... reading books, blogs, etc... now, i just need to get out there and do it!

good luck... look inside yourself... think of why YOU want to do it... and just do it...
its not only the camera that makes a good photograph... its the person shooting...

[windrider86]

I'm basically a very very shy person but was taught by a dear friend years ago that life is but an acting career. So act confident and you will be.
I've been published all over the world but still freak out (inwardly)on every photo shoot that my customers wont like them. So, in other words, its ok to wonder about your own work because it only makes you strive to better and better. It's a positive thing!

I used to be so shy that I couldn't even order a burger at McDonalds. Now, I've done seminars in front of 50,000 people and it doesn't bother me at all. In fact its rather fun!!! It's just all in how you present yourself and the mind set you set up for your self. Tell yourself you are dam good and you are! Smile, stand up straight, talk like you know what you are talking about (even if you dont) and you'll be just fine

[SuperDan]

Originally Posted by windrider86

i'm basically a very very shy person but was taught by a dear friend years ago that life is but an acting career. So act confident and you will be.
I've been published all over the world but still freak out (inwardly)on every photo shoot that my customers wont like them. So, in other words, its ok to wonder about your own work because it only makes you strive to better and better. It's a positive thing!

I used to be so shy that i couldn't even order a burger at mcdonalds. Now, i've done seminars in front of 50,000 people and it doesn't bother me at all. In fact its rather fun!!! It's just all in how you present yourself and the mind set you set up for your self. Tell yourself you are dam good and you are! Smile, stand up straight, talk like you know what you are talking about (even if you dont) and you'll be just fine

well said!

[Elite Shutterbug]

lol i like everyone's story's

but i also am a shy person by nature and i had a hard time gaining confidence in my work. i know you dont want to here this but PRACTICE! it took me a little while to wrap my head around some of the stuff like exposure(shutter speed, aperture, and ISO), white balance, and histograms(a lot easier than i thought) and all the other wonderful things that come with photography. but remember that skill comes with experience, and with your experience you will get more comfortable(which will generally make better shots ) but i found that in the end the more you know the better, and i found you have to Think confident and you will be it. i may seem confident behind the camera during shoots with friends/clients but there are plenty of times i look at my LCD and think "dear god its a good thing im shooting in raw"

and on top of that i found myself to be my hardest critic. my work is never Perfect like i want it, but on rare occasions it gets damn close.

oh and read LOTS of articles until it makes seance...it worked for me

[Jim Bryant]

The more you shoot, the more confidence you'll gain. Just takes time.

[Karinu]

I can relate to a little piece of each of the replies. What I've found for myself is that while I really want to become a great photographer, the pictures I take have meaning to me so if they aren't technically perfect I still love a lot of my shots because of what is happening in the subject and that I've been able to capture it. It's a bonus when someone else likes my work and when I get it technically right, too. I've also found the because photography is subjective to a degree, what one person criticizes, another will praise. Just have fun and remember that with digital you can easily delete what you really don't like so there's no evidence!