Photography

How can you overcome imposter syndrome and live to your best potential, despite setbacks in life?

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Embrace Your Art and Conquer Setbacks

Hi Kate. I wanted to let you know that even somebody like myself, who's a professional and has been for a number of years, I still get impostor syndrome. I still walk into a room of other professionals and think how is it that I'm here? How is it that my work is published. Somebody is going to find out that I'm a fraud at some point. But you know what, that's a very human response and having those feelings of insecurity is a very human human nature. And I feel like what you need to remember, is the work that you're creating is your art and just remember to artist objective. Will there be good and bad? Yes, good and bad feedback. Sure, will there be setbacks along the way? Yeah, some people are going to tell, you know, I've been told no many times in my life but at again at the end of the day, it's all about the art your that you create create work that makes you happy, create photographs that resonate with you. And as long as You're doing that. You're not an imposter, you're an artist.

Impostor syndrome is a normal human reaction, but you should remember that the work you create is your art and focus on creating work that makes you happy. As long as you're doing that, you're not an imposter, you're an artist.

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Overcoming imposter syndrome and reaching your full potential, despite setbacks in life, is a common struggle. Even as a professional with years of experience, I still experience imposter syndrome. Walking into a room full of other professionals, I sometimes question how I belong there and worry that someone will discover I'm a fraud. However, it's important to recognize that these feelings of insecurity are a natural part of being human.

To overcome imposter syndrome, remember that the work you create is your art. Art is subjective, and there will always be both positive and negative feedback. Setbacks and rejections are inevitable, but they don't define your worth or talent. Focus on creating work that brings you joy and resonates with you personally. As long as you are true to yourself and your artistic vision, you are not an imposter but an artist.

Embrace the fact that imposter syndrome is a common experience and don't let it hold you back from pursuing your goals and living up to your potential. Keep creating, learning, and growing, and remember that setbacks are just part of the journey.

Are there any philosophies that you live by or that have a strong influence on your decision making and actions?

Photographer's Moral Compass: A Philosophy That Guides Every Shot

Are there any philosophies that you live by or that have a strong influence on your decision-making and actions? I think as a photojournalist from that perspective I think morality is a big compass for my work and I think it's a philosophy that I live by that. If I can't wake up tomorrow and live with what I've done the day before then I probably shouldn't do it in that moment because photography, you know, it's not just Just impacting myself but it's impacting, the subjects I'm photographing. It's also going to impact how Others May view the world and in some cases how how they move forward or make their own decisions, that's that's how much photography can impact. So I've had a situation where I was documenting combat and somebody got hurt seriously bad and I had to make a decision one. Was I going to photograph that? Or was I going to just sit back and try and render Aid? And I think that again comes down to moral compass. Everyone would react to that situation differently and that has always been and home and will always be in the back of my mind, with every shooting situation, whether it's that extreme or not. Can I live with what I've done? That's my philosophy.

My philosophy is to always ask myself if I can live with what I have done before taking action. This is especially important when taking photographs, as my actions may have an impact on the subjects being photographed and how others view the world.

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As a photojournalist, morality serves as a significant compass for my work and influences my decision-making and actions. I live by the philosophy that if I cannot wake up the next day and be at peace with what I have done the day before, then I probably should not do it in that moment. Photography has a profound impact not only on myself but also on the subjects I photograph. It can shape how others perceive the world and even influence their own decisions.

I have encountered situations where I had to make difficult choices, such as documenting combat when someone was seriously injured. In those moments, I had to decide whether to photograph or provide immediate assistance. This decision-making process always comes back to my moral compass. Each person may react differently in such situations, but for me, it is a constant consideration in every shooting scenario, whether extreme or not. Can I live with the consequences of my actions? That is the philosophy I abide by.

Strength in acknowledging weaknesses elevates success

How do you elevate your weaknesses? Well, I think, first of all, you have to have the strength to acknowledge your weaknesses, I think that makes you a better person and it makes you more successful and I think, you know, photographically understanding where your weaknesses lie are important, so that you can build a team to help lift you up. So elevating your weaknesses, you know, I'm, I'm strong in some areas and I'm weak and others and I elevate my weaknesses by acknowledging. Judging them and and saying, hey I need help, I need to learn. I need to grow and I need to have a team with me, that will help. Help reinforce where my weaknesses are.

To elevate my weaknesses, I acknowledge them and recognize that I need help and support to learn and grow in those areas. I build a team of people who can help me reinforce my weaknesses and provide guidance and support.

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How do you evaluate your weaknesses? Well, first and foremost, you need the strength to acknowledge them. This not only makes you a better person but also increases your chances of success. In the context of photography, understanding where your weaknesses lie is crucial. It allows you to build a team that can support and uplift you.

To elevate your weaknesses, it's important to recognize and assess them. By acknowledging your weaknesses, you can seek help, learn, and grow. Surrounding yourself with a team that complements your weaknesses can reinforce those areas where you may need assistance.

In summary, evaluating your weaknesses involves acknowledging them, being open to learning and growth, and building a supportive team to help you overcome them.

If you could go back to reshoot any place, what would that be?

Missed opportunity in Yemen: A photographer's regret and desire to reshoot

If you could go back and reshoot at any place, what would it be? I think I would love to go back to Yemen. Man, what a missed opportunity. I went there when I was I was stationed at in Djibouti at Camp, limb, and yay. And my job was to basically photograph the operations that were happening there in the Horn of Africa. And this sort of sidebar trip took me to Yemen where I was photographing EOD teams which you know in military terms that's like these bomb. These bomb teams were teaching each other how to have a take-apart bombs. And anyway, but I had the opportunity to walk amongst these streets that were so ancient and so beautiful. And I just wish that I had more time to photograph it and I would really, really love to go back and just just spend some time, photographing their again.

I would love to go back and reshoot in Yemen. I had the opportunity to walk amongst these streets that were so ancient and beautiful, but I wish I had more time to photograph it.

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If I could go back and reshoot at any place, it would definitely be Yemen. It was a missed opportunity for me when I was stationed in Djibouti at Camp Lemonnier. My main job was to capture operations in the Horn of Africa, but I had a chance to visit Yemen on a side trip.

While there, I had the incredible experience of photographing EOD teams, who were teaching each other how to dismantle bombs. But what really captivated me were the ancient and beautiful streets I walked through. I wish I had more time to capture the essence of Yemen in my photographs.

Given the chance, I would love to return to Yemen and spend more time photographing its unique and captivating scenes.

Do you like teaching photography or being in the field more?

Teaching or Field: Why this photographer loves both equally

Do you like teaching photography or being in the field more? Well, I think I actually love doing both equally. I think, teaching photography allows me to watch light bulbs, go off over people's heads, and I think there's something really joyous about empowering others with knowledge. And I think creatively seeing somebody who's new to the art and how they express themselves can be really Aspiring and I think by teaching and being inspired by other young photographers, I am more motivated to go out in the field and to try new things and continue to grow myself. Because at the, you know, the thing is just because I'm a professional doesn't mean I'm not learning myself and just because I teach doesn't mean I don't have something to learn and I learn something every time I teach. So I think the answer is I like both both very much equally.

I like both teaching photography and being in the field equally because they both allow me to learn and get inspired, and empower others with knowledge.

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Do I prefer teaching photography or being in the field more? Well, I actually love both equally. Teaching photography allows me to witness those light bulb moments when people grasp new concepts, and there's a joy in empowering others with knowledge. It's inspiring to see how newcomers to the art express themselves creatively. Teaching also motivates me to explore new things and continue my own growth as a photographer.

Being in the field, on the other hand, allows me to put my skills into practice and discover new perspectives. Even as a professional, I am constantly learning and being in the field provides valuable learning experiences. So, the answer is that I genuinely enjoy both teaching and being in the field equally.

What would you tell your 20 yr old self about photography?

Photography's Greatest Lesson: Let Your Voice Be Heard

What would you tell your 20 year old self about photography? Well, I will say that, by the time I was 20 I was getting ready to go to combat for the first time and and I was still learning photography from a lot of my mentors and, and doing a lot more emulating than finding my own voice. And I think if I could tell my younger self, Anything. I think it would be to strip down all the things I thought photojournalist should be or stop trying to be somebody else and be more of myself, allow my own voice to come forward. Let myself influence what I was seeing and how seeing it and capture it in a way that was authentic. And I guess that would be the biggest a way for my 20 year old self is to just let my voice be heard.

I would tell my 20 year old self to stop trying to be somebody else and allow my own voice to come forward. Let myself influence what I was seeing and how seeing it and capture it in a way that was authentic so that my voice could be heard.

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If I could tell my 20-year-old self something about photography, it would be to strip away the expectations of what a photojournalist should be and to stop trying to emulate others. Instead, I would encourage myself to embrace my own unique voice and allow it to shine through in my work. I would advise my younger self to let my own perspective and influences shape how I see and capture moments, and to focus on authenticity. Ultimately, the biggest lesson for my 20-year-old self would be to let my voice be heard.

Stacy Pearsall answers your Photography questions. See all the advice Stacy Pearsall has and get answers to your own Photography questions.

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Nikon Ambassador, combat veteran, educator, author, speaker, founder of the Veterans Portrait Project, and Producer and Host of After Action