I have confidence in...me?? Really?

[Palladius]

I don't think you've got a problem, really. I positively despise my work most days... I put my CF card in, or get some prints back from the lab, I'll flick through them, say "Crap..." at every, single one, then put them away and think about how I should never even be allowed to hold a camera ever again. Sometimes I look at other people's stuff on here and just want to cry they're so much better than where I am...

But.... that kind of self-criticism keeps you sharp, stops you getting complacent. As others have said, it pushes you to improve. It's almost certainly not good for your health but, personally, I'll take that hit.

Two things I'd say, though: Don't let it stop you taking the opportunities to improve. I can see you're not doing this, you're going out and doing shoots and getting paid (Go you! I'm way off that sort of thing, atm...). Also, try not to let on to other people... in my experience, people don't get how hard photography is, or how nerve-wracking and draining a shoot can be. Sometimes, their perception of your shots is tied up with their perception of you... you've gotta give them that confident image.

Then come on here and vent.... They just don't understand you like we do!

[oldwolf]

I think the pictures look great. The couple looked like they had fun. I'm sure they'll love them. What more could you ask for? Stop being so hard on yourself.

[sk66]

Going out, risking it all, struggling and succeeding will build confidence...Experience will build confidence...Knowledge will build confidence...

Perfection is unattainable...a good goal, but a brutal one.
Even if you do attain perfection in your photography......."I" won't like your work.

Sometimes you just have to "get over it and drive on"...

As was said..."bravery is not a lack of fear, but the ability to act when scared shitless" (or something similar...)