“So your photos are crap, what next?”

Friends in photography,

I was chatting with a student of photography. I call this dude a student, even though he has a full time career, a family and he’s 45.

Still a student.

Because he’s in learning mode. All radars on. The guy wants to grow, learn, get better.

Being a student of photography is way more about attitude. Not so much about skill level or what equipment you own.

Truth be told, these can be detrimental roadblocks….(if we let ’em)

This guy however is on the right track.

I can see it in his eyes, his attitude, his willingness to ask many questions…
and more importantly, little to no ego.

Many students are brimming with blinding ego.
For shame, it’s a problem.

I know, I was there myself.

And I can tell you right now, it’s the number one killer of growth and dev.

He shows me some images, we discuss, I ask him what he thinks.
He says they’re “kinda crappy”.

Which means he’s on the right track. Recognizing where one is at is vital.

Especially when we’re creating crap.
It’s one of the cool things about submitting images to a print critique.

Hurts, yes, but it’s a good hurt.

“So your photos are crap, what next?” I ask him.

He shrugged, kinda looking like a lost puppy.
Sad.

“Look” I told him. “You’re a smart dude. And obviously you’re committed to growing in photography. You’ve invested some serious coin in equipment, and you show up to learn. All good. Now what? It’s a journey. Keep moving man, keep learning, keep growing. Push, push!

It’s gonna hurt sometimes, yes, but you gotta stay focused (excuse the pun). Knowing where you’re at is so, so, important. Clarity.”

And then I told him to get on a regiment. Take in courses, turn off the teevee, get involved
with mastermind meetings and coaching, designed to help him grow.

Get around better photographers. Be the crappiest photographer in the room, so you can learn from the others. Being the best ain’t good!

And then I told him about noBs photo success inner circle.
“It’s all there” I told him. “Go, join, just-go-join…get started. Now.”

Here

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher