When You Lose Confidence as a Photographer

Photography, like any creative pursuit, is full of ups and downs. One day, you feel like you’re creating something meaningful, something that represents your vision. The next, you’re second-guessing everything, wondering if you’re just faking it. I’ve been there. Recently, more than ever.

The Cycles of Creativity

I’ve always been an over-thinker - even with the smallest things. As my YouTube channel has grown, I’ve noticed it even more. Putting my work out there for more people to see is both exciting and terrifying. The majority of comments and conversations I have are from lovely, supportive people, but it’s the occasional negative ones that linger.

Recently, I’ve had a few comments and conversations that really made me overthink a lot of things. They made me question whether my work had its own identity, whether I was somehow cheating the whole process, and, at times, even made me feel like a bit of a fraud. It’s strange how a handful of remarks can carry so much weight, even when the overwhelming majority of feedback is positive. But that’s the way our minds work - we latch onto the criticisms, no matter how small, and let them spiral into doubt.

But here’s the thing: these doubts are part of the creative process. Every photographer, no matter how experienced, goes through them.

Flipping the Narrative

It requires a mindset shift. Instead of letting those doubts take over, I’ve been trying to reframe them. If people are noticing my work enough to critique it, that must mean I’m doing something right in the first place. Growth, by nature, invites scrutiny.

Instead of seeing those moments of doubt as a sign that I’m failing, I’m trying to see them as proof that I’m pushing myself. If everything always felt easy, I probably wouldn’t be growing as a photographer.

Reconnecting with Why You Started

When confidence dips, it helps to strip things back to the basics - why did I start photography in the first place? It wasn’t for validation or external approval. It was because I love capturing moments, experimenting with light, and creating something I can look back on and feel proud of.

Sometimes, the best way to regain confidence is to step away from the pressure of it all and just shoot for yourself. Forget what will perform well, forget what people expect, and just pick up a camera because you want to.

Finding Inspiration Through Others

Photography has the potential to be a very lonely pursuit. We spend so much time working on our own, lost in our own thoughts, editing in isolation, or going out to shoot solo. While that can be great for focus, it can also lead to creative ruts.

One of the best ways to shake things up and find new inspiration is to get out and shoot with other photographers. That’s what I did recently and headed out with Chris Harvey to Mancehster. Some of the images I captured are included in this blog.

Spending time with others who share the same passion can be energising. You see things from a fresh perspective, learn from each other, and sometimes, just having that social aspect can remind you why you love photography in the first place. It doesn’t have to be a big organised event - just meeting up with a friend for a casual photo walk can be enough to reignite that spark.

A Challenge for You

If you’ve been feeling this way too, try taking a break from outside opinions for a while. Go through your old work, remind yourself of what you’ve created before. Or set yourself a challenge - shoot a photo just for you, print an image that you love, or experiment with something new.

Creative ruts and dips in confidence are temporary, but the passion for photography is always there, waiting to be reignited.