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

[SarahN]

So 2 weeks ago I went to go do an engagement shoot for a couple I know. They were paying me for it, so it wasn't just for kicks and giggles. As I left my dorm to go shoot them one of my friends looked at me and noted that I looked stressed. With great honesty I looked at her and said
"Really, I'm absolutely terrified."
"Of what?" she asked
"I am just so scared that I'll do a horrible job."
"Sarah. You won't."
"Well, probably not horrible, but what if it does? I'm just not confident in my abilities".
She gave me a few words of encouragement, then I was off.

The shoot ended up going pretty well, but still I couldn't shake the feeling that I am a complete fraud, that I'm really awful and have deluded myself into thinking that I'm a decent photographer. Part of this is because I struggle with perfectionism, so nothing is ever good enough, but another part of it is because I am comparing my work with professional wedding photographers who get paid $15,000 a wedding. I look at my pictures and I just think they're crap.

So what can I do to build my confidence? I know it's not good for me to go to clients with this attitude, but somehow I just feel like I'm a fraud. What do you do to be able to look at your pictures and say "That one is good."?

Any and all advice would be appreciated!
-Sarah

[henryscat]

I think all my pictures are crap - keeps me striving to make better ones

I think the only way you will shake them is to carry on and build your portfolio. Like everything, the more you do it, the more you will naturally take it in your stride.

Sit in front of the mirror and repeat this phrase 100 times a day:

"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and dog gone it, people like me!"

Only after the 100th day of repeating this 100 times a day will you be cured.

Good luck!

~Eric

EDIT: Seriously, there is no magic cure or magic "pill" or magic advice that will give you confidence. Trust me, I know. Ask how I know? Go on, ask, I dare you.

[Jim Bryant]

Gotta have faith in yourself, if you don't nobody else will

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

Well, I don't know how to fix your confidence, as I know that alot of us have the same issue. Just put the game face on and give er a go!

Anyhow, your shots are great! I like your composition and use of some of the ordinary shots. Keep it up!

[wdogg40]

I know where you are coming from. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to the things I do. Even if I think I like it I convince myself that it could be better. On the plus side I think this is good because I am always striving to come up with something better. On the down side some times I think I will never find it. I'm assuming that this is why I have found myself addicted to taking photos and constantly thinking of shots I want to take.

I'm like a little puppy though, in the fact that I like it when people comment on a photo I took and they really like it. I guess I'm not afraid to say that I feel good when people like a photo I took and tell me how good I am. Sure it's a little self absorbed but I'm just being honest with myself. So I think compliments from others help balance out the harsh criticism that I give myself.

I always like creative criticism from others as well, even though it can be deflating at times it's the only way to improve.

In other news, looking at your photos of the engagement shots I think they turned out great.
Your setups are done well and you captured a lot of great color. The couple displays the emotions that they are in love but more importantly that they are having fun. One more thing, I love your logo/watermark.

cheers

~nate

[Dayton-G]

I have two quick points Sarah...
I thought the same when I was going to do a free shoot for some modeling friends until I realized, even though I was just looking for experience, It would be worth it for me or her because I have no studio lighting and all.
I do think the same as the second post. A lot of people do, it is what makes us better.

Until you take 10,000 pictures and you can only keep one

And the other is that your pictures turned out pretty good. It's what the clients what really. Ten million people could hate those pictures and critique them to nothing and the two in the pictures could love them and want to pay you 10 million because they may be worth that much to them. OR ten million could love them and those two may hate them.

It's up to the client whether or not it is good when they buy them. Unless you put them into a portfolio, then it's up to you if it's good or not.

That's is why I take pictures without people, because my subject wont complain if the are uncomfortable and such

Dayton.

[Dayton-G]

P.S. He looks very familiar which is kind of weird because the surroundings do not....

[candleman]

Originally Posted by SarahN

What do you do to be able to look at your pictures and say "That one is good."?

Any and all advice would be appreciated!
-Sarah

keep trying until it is.

dont give up until you've got the shot you saw in your head.
thats all really... always strive to be better, theres nothing wrong with that

[sdphil]

Sarah YOU DID A FABULOUS JOB with the shoot!!
Hey the sign of a true artist is to always question and improve. We are our own worst critics.
I think a healthy dose of "questioning" is good unless it stops you from going.
The proof is in the pudding if they loved the images as I and others here have and paid you happily for them ( I would have happily paid for them if they were mine) then they were a success. I think once that "fear" goes away completely ones artistry goes with it.

Originally Posted by SarahN

So 2 weeks ago I went to go do an engagement shoot for a couple I know. They were paying me for it, so it wasn't just for kicks and giggles. As I left my dorm to go shoot them one of my friends looked at me and noted that I looked stressed. With great honesty I looked at her and said
"Really, I'm absolutely terrified."
"Of what?" she asked
"I am just so scared that I'll do a horrible job."
"Sarah. You won't."
"Well, probably not horrible, but what if it does? I'm just not confident in my abilities".
She gave me a few words of encouragement, then I was off.

The shoot ended up going pretty well, but still I couldn't shake the feeling that I am a complete fraud, that I'm really awful and have deluded myself into thinking that I'm a decent photographer. Part of this is because I struggle with perfectionism, so nothing is ever good enough, but another part of it is because I am comparing my work with professional wedding photographers who get paid $15,000 a wedding. I look at my pictures and I just think they're crap.

So what can I do to build my confidence? I know it's not good for me to go to clients with this attitude, but somehow I just feel like I'm a fraud. What do you do to be able to look at your pictures and say "That one is good."?

Any and all advice would be appreciated!
-Sarah