Dealing With Imposter Syndrome

I think every photographer, at some point, will face that creeping feeling: "I don’t belong here," "I’m not good enough," or "Who am I to charge what I charge?" Imposter syndrome is real—and, for most of us, it's almost inevitable. It can be a heavy, paralyzing weight that spirals us into self-doubt and low self-esteem. If you don’t have an unshakable sense of entitlement or boundless confidence, imposter syndrome will likely make an appearance. It’s a silent struggle that can linger for weeks, months, or even years.

Honestly, I’ve been dealing with it for a long time. The recurring thoughts—"It shouldn’t be this hard if I’m good enough," "Who am I to teach?" "Who am I to pitch this idea?"—have become so familiar they feel like a broken record. Sometimes, I even personify imposter syndrome as a shadowy figure, sitting on my shoulder, whispering poison, and planting seeds of doubt that slowly chip away at my self-worth.

So, where does it come from? Imposter syndrome isn’t just one feeling—it has many faces.

One of them is perfectionism. When you’re constantly striving to be perfect, to do everything just right, to show up as your best self all the time, anything less feels like failure. And when you inevitably make mistakes—which we all do—your sense of self gets shattered. You begin to feel like a fraud because the "perfect" version of yourself you were trying to maintain is no longer intact. You think: If I were truly good enough, it wouldn’t be this hard.

Another aspect comes from comparing ourselves to others. We look at other photographers, creatives, or artists, and it’s easy to get caught in the trap of believing that everyone else’s work is more beautiful (your choice of adjective), their success more effortless. We see their highlights—often polished, curated moments—and compare them to our behind-the-scenes reality. The truth is, comparison is creatively toxic. It stifles growth, kills self-esteem, and leads to burnout. When we feel like we’re falling behind, it’s easy to convince ourselves that we’re just not good enough, or that we’re not worthy of the success we want.

Imposter syndrome also thrives when we feel like we’re “faking it” or will eventually be “found out.” When we experience success, even a small victory, the fear often creeps in: "Someone’s going to figure out that I don’t have it all together. They’ll see that I’m still learning, still figuring things out, still working a day job because photography hasn’t quite paid the bills." It almost feels like we are walking on eggshells in our own head, and how we portray ourselves to the world because we don’t want everyone to know that we are deeply scared, deeply unsure about our talent, and struggling behind the pretty photos we post. We know how much we still have to learn and what we don’t know and that scares us. There are gaps in our photography knowledge and we are so scared of people finding that out. I deeply felt this when I was writing my books. I am no cook or trained chef. I’m just a home cook who loves to cook and share good food and loves nature. But when it was published and out in the world, these feelings gripped me because not only was it, not the book I envisioned it to be in terms of the layout and graphics, I knew that I was not a qualified cook and was still accepting unemployment from my job loss. I felt like a total fraud and someone would find out my inadequacy. And to be honest, those feelings have dimmed a little but they still linger and naw away in my mind if I focus on them. What fire do you want to fuel? What thoughts do you want to fan and fuel? That’s a choice, albeit a hard one.

What can we do when imposter syndrome strikes?

First, we have to own it. Acknowledge that shadowy figure whispering insecurities in your ear. Only by naming it can we begin to address it. One of the most powerful things you can do is voice these feelings. If you haven’t already, write them down in a journal. Put pen to paper see those doubts on the page, and remind yourself that they are just thoughts—not truths. They are like dark clouds that need the light to dissipate. Ask yourself: Are these feelings really true? Or have I just let them become my truth over time?

Next, get some perspective. Imposter syndrome thrives in isolation. If you're working from home, constantly in your head, without a support system, it can feel overwhelming. But if you reach out to fellow creatives who are genuine and kind—photographers, artists, friends, or even a therapist—you’ll often discover that you’re not alone. Many of us feel like we’re winging it, like we’re faking it, like we’re not good enough. And you’ll realize that it’s a totally normal part of the journey. It feels like a huge pressure valve has been eased when you voice them to others and realize they feel or have felt the same way before. Most of us are just doing our best, trusting the process, and figuring things out along the way.

Another key step is to stop comparing yourself to others. Seriously—just stop. Comparing your journey to someone else's will only diminish your own progress. You are you. Your path is unique, and where you are right now is exactly where you’re meant to be. You don’t need to be "perfect" to belong. Your work, your journey, and your creativity are enough, right where they are. If you need a break from social media or comparing yourself to others, take it. Start looking at yourself in a healthy, self-loving way that you are your beacon, You are your own lighthouse. Not someone else, not what someone else has achieved and what you haven’t. Who you are right now in your photography journey is good enough to show up to the table and share what you have to say and create.

Finally, when you have a win, no matter how big or small, celebrate it! Don’t brush it off as "no big deal" or "just nothing." Celebrate every victory with enthusiasm and pride! Take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come. You didn’t get to this point by accident—you’ve worked hard, put in the effort, and you’ve earned every step of the journey. It's hard for everyone, and you’re not alone in the struggle. You didn’t get the short end of the stick; everyone is dealing with their own version and troubles, and all those little wins along the way make the path even more fulfilling.

Don’t minimize your accomplishments or compare them to someone else’s. Take time to recognize your own growth, and be proud of how far you’ve come, not just the imperfections you still see in yourself. Your mistakes and failures aren’t setbacks—they’re stepping stones that move you forward. You’re learning as you go, and each lesson is valuable. No one is perfect, and it’s okay to be transparent about your mistakes. Have some self-compassion for what you’ve achieved with your circumstances and resources. You don’t have to show up perfectly all the time. It’s through those mistakes that we improve and grow.

What truly matters is the progress you’ve made. When you prioritize growth over perfection, you allow yourself to be authentic and embrace who you are right now. You accept that there’s still so much to learn, but you're figuring it out (just like everyone else!) Celebrate who you are, not who you think you should be or what you feel is missing. You’ve earned the right to be proud of yourself—just as you are.

Imposter syndrome may always be creeping around in the background, but you don’t have to let it control you. You are enough. You belong here. You have a seat at this table. You are worthy of your success, your creative vision, and your place in this world.

Alanna

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