A Personal Note, “Being Yourself”

Monday, April 12, 2010 Posted in Michelle Moore Photography.

I just want to pause for a moment, and speak about something that has really weighed on my mind this past week.

Being yourself.

Who am I? Over the years, I have felt the tug of “feeling behind”, or not where I should be at this point in my career. I feel at times I reach for someone else’s ideal – only to feel like I failed miserable after the shoot is over. It got so bad that about two years ago I had to completely distance myself from those who made me feel inadequate as a photographer. I stopped focusing on what they were doing and really narrowed in on what I was doing. I had to stop comparing my age, success, and failures by another photographer’s personal time-line. We are all on our very own path, and it will not mirror those around us. It is good to set healthy (and lofty) goals, but do not be discouraged. We are all given our own unique circumstances, and everyone’s journey will always be different.

I am writing this now, because I feel like my demons are nipping at my heels again. I am trying to stop and concentrate on what makes me unique, and realize my strengths as a shooter. There are many photographers I aspire to be like, or whose work I strongly admire, but I need to stop and understand what my strengths are and work on that. The fashion industry is brutal – one person may adore your work, while another will totally discard it without a second thought. I had a completely eye-opening experience last week that made me realize so many things in the fashion industry (or any industry) should not be taken personally. All art is subjective, and as long as you stay true to yourself that’s all that matters. The people who love you for who YOU are – are really all that matters, because those are the people you are speaking to, and want to be surrounded by.

I hope you know that I am nowhere near perfect, and am constantly growing, overcoming battles, and struggling to find myself in a world where a new photographer is born every second. Keep your chin up, and focus on your dreams. We will all get to our goals in our own time.

Perhaps I am not meant to be exactly what I want, so I hope that over the next few years I continue to understand and polish my strongest skill set as a photographer, and continue striving for what I want to accomplish. I think that’s why I sometimes don’t feel like I always accomplish a certain look in every shoot – because in my mind I imagine it to be something that I’m not, which only leads to disappointment and discouragement. I’m really looking forward to this year being my break-out year, and discovering my best talents – and sticking to them.

XOXO

Feel free to add your thoughts to this post. What have you learned in your career so far – about yourself, personally and as an artist?

Sneak peek from our Jewelry Editorial “Nocturne Suite” – coming soon!

by Michelle Moore

38 comments

deb schwedhelm - amen michelle! adore you…and your work. thanks for sharing.

deb

Jessica - This is a great and timely post. Just this weekend I was talking to a friend about how many younger girls are soooooo much farther along at photography. And you’re one of those people where I’m amazed at all you’ve done for yourself! I don’t know your age, but you can’t be all that far along in years. :) It’s actually really awesome to hear that someone of your caliber is struggling with the same things. I guess there will always be people “beyond” us and people “behind” us in skills, etc. I’m really inspired and I learn a lot from your blog as well as other photographers, but lately I’m thinking I need to add some blogs with photography that I think needs a lot of work, just so I can be reminded that there are all kinds of photographers and skill levels out there that are still getting plenty of customers.

Amber Fox - I really enjoyed this post Michelle. First, I can’t believe that you feel behind as compared to other photographers. I think you are incredible and are setting a new standard in the senior portrait photography world, especially with your new teen fashion blog. You are my inspiration!

Secondly, it is really hard trying to figure out how I am unique in the sea of photographers. But then I realized that I am ME and just being into all the things I’m into, makes me unique and an individual. In the sea of wedding photographers here in Orange County, I had to ask myself, what makes me unique. And after some nudging from other photographers, I realized what makes me unique, was that I teach photography to high school seniors. Why shoot weddings, when I had an untapped market right in front of me. This was a huge revelation that should of been obvious the whole time, but sometimes we are so blind to the obvious. So I guess the biggest thing I learned this year, is capitalizing on my greatest strength, and that being I really know high school seniors.

I think this is going to be your break out year, if it hasn’t already happened. By the sounds of it, you are booking like crazy and have found success.

Gemma - Spot on Michelle, spot on.

Michelle Guzman - Your work is so admired by many photographers. I’ve seen photographers mention you several times as one to look up.

Cheryl - I’ve been thinking about the same things lately… A business coach I love, Danielle Laporte, wrote recently about “Defining your true strengths, not your fake it till you make it strengths, but your true strengths.” I love that! True strengths versus fake it till you make it strengths – brilliant!

And Michelle, your statement… “Perhaps I am not meant to be exactly what I want” – that may be true. But the wonderful thing is that if you follow your true path, and work with your true strengths and true passions, then what you are meant to be will be so much better than what you had planned. I really believe that!

Velia - Michelle,

I came across your work recently and I have to admit I have fallen in love with your style your work. I love the colors, the composition everything about your work. Just like a few others that I admire and can only hope with time I can get to that point. I’ve really stop looking at blogs and started concentrating on smaller things I want to accomplish. I’ve discovered I’m happier this way. I’m a fan of your work and I love when you share your knowledge. In my eyes that makes you my idol.

Erin Elliott - Michelle,

As a woman, who has aspired to, and reached many a goal in my 42 years, as well as fallen flat on my face, day after day. I have only this to say to you my talented friend.
From the moment I met you, there was a special spark to you, an almost glowing “aliveness,” that radiated not only talent, but spirit and joy. That is exceptional in today’s world. It makes those of us mere mortals want to aspire to better ourselves, and create that same feeling. That comes through, in every picture you take, in every smile, in every leap, and in every “click.” Never falter, my friend..you are were you need to be..and heading right were you need to go. Thanks for letting the rest of us join you, even for just a little while.

Erin

Nicole Pfeiffer Photography - I have felt this way the past few years myself and get really down on myself… why can’t I already have that, why can’t I already be doing this… and so on. And it’s hard not to also voice those opinions when that’s all you’re feeling. I feel I am putzing along as best I can, with what I have and that’s about all I can do. I feel I have come into my own style and I know what sets me apart, it’s just getting other people to also see those strengths that is holding me back. :)

Nicole Raine - Michelle, I am definitely there with you – and it’s very nice to see it coming from someone else, especially one whom I see as being successful and (gasp) younger than I am. I suppose the grass is always greener and in this world of marketing we never really know what’s going on behind the websites, blog posts, and images we all put out through to the real people and real story.
I’ve personally just gone through the most difficult year of my life so far and at the end of the day am still arriving back at those same questions of Who am I? What are my strengths? Where can I improve and how? and What is realistic?

Hopefully we’ll all find the answers and growth we’re looking for and I wish you the best in your pursuit.

xxx
Nicole Raine

Linda Schilberg - Wow, thank you so much for sharing this. I find myself dealing with the same battle in the photography world too. How can I be better than the next person. But lately I’ve found that doing that doesn’t get you anywhere. I remember reading Fast Track photographer and Dane said something to the fact that there are more than enough people out there that want/need photographs, why do photographers feel like they have to fight over clients.

I’ve taken the time to slow myself down and really enjoy every moment of shooting and giving my clients the best one-on-one experience ever. Its not about quantity it’s about quality.

I maybe just rambling but I really do appreciate this post. Its nice to know your not alone when it comes to your “battles”

cait - this post is amazing and sometimes i forget that almost all other photographers struggle with this same thing to some extent. i love you’re work and sometimes i draw inspiration from you and then beat myself up after a shoot because it’s “not good enough” but in reality thats not how im going to get better! this is an awesome post and i too am going to concentrate on me and MY skills this year and am crossing my fingers for a break out year as well :)

Ashlee - Thanks for sharing this. I love your blog, this one and SaltPrep! I started my MFA in photography last summer and have been feeling like a phony, struggling to find my style and what type of photography I want to pursue. I’m slowly learning to not compare myself with others (it’s so difficult) and to be true to who I am. I’m also learning to ENJOY photography. For a while last semester it seemed so forced and unnatural. I was lucky enough to intern this last week for my friend’s mom in Arlington (http://photographicjourneys.net/). I grew so much in my work (in just a week) and I left feeling confident, like I can do this and nothing can stop me. I’m so excited! This is such a great reminder to always stay true to myself. Thanks again! Happy Monday!

Kerry - This post couldn’t have come at a better time. I often feel that at 28 the door is closing on me and all I’ll ever be is a stay at home mom. Something I am very grateful for and wouldn’t change for the world but I know there is more to me than that. And then I realize 28 is still young. I have plenty of time but would definitely like to get the ball rolling with a little more speed. But i feel like just today I have realized some specific goals and specific steps on meeting them. Much in part to reading ‘The 4-Hour Workweek’ as well as doing some praying and thinking. It’s easy to forget that someone as wonderful as you still wants to become better and achieve more especially when my current top goal is to book three sessions a week. I love seeing all the things you do and sometimes feel like a stalker but I’m glad I happened upon your blog one day because I have learned so much. Thank you. I look forward to seeing you continue forward and succeeding in the world of fashion.

Jan - Very good and relevant post.

One important advice I got in an earlier part of my career from someone I respect a lot: Eventually you will have a job where nobody will pat you on the back anymore, any patting on the back will have to come from yourself as part of your self-reflection.

Your point about being yourself and being at ease with that, and being confident in yourself is a key element of that. And it creates a presence and body language that will get you further. Though some people will take issue with it. You have to recognize that and let it go.

But there is also a danger lurking. If you get too comfortable with who you are, that means you’re no longer pushing yourself hard. You may stop growing. It’s not about emulating others, but it’s about not accepting your current skills as finished, as something that cannot be improved upon.

Those two statements are in constant tension – being content at your past achievements, but not giving up on achieving better things yet. It can feel like bipolar disorder at times, but it’s in it’s own way it’s a healthy balance we all struggle with every day.

The other important realization is that most of the time you only see other photographer’s best work. You look at their portfolios, their published work, whatever it is. We never get to see the thousands of images that didn’t get picked, the ones that got deleted, the jobs they got never rehired over, their struggles. Yet, we’re all to aware of those in our own work. That creates a skewed perception of reality. No photographer just produces perfect work. Yet we all are careful with what we share with the world.

Nicole - I love this post for the very same reasons I love your work…it’s honest, fresh and completely you. I’ve been following your work for a while now (a while in relation to my short stint in photography) and I am always impresses with your work – how it’s not overly done and doesn’t look like anyone else’s work; it’s crisp, clean and beautiful.

So many of us admire you for who you are, so I hope enough of us who love your work come forward to drown out those naysayers. Keep on being awesome!

Saykana - Your post reflects exactly what I have been feeling for the past year. Work that I would love to do, or work that I wish mine could look like, seem impossible and ultimately are not quite…well…me. I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability. It is so hard to accept our own style when we imagine another’s overlaying our own work.

I also greatly appreciate that your work is unique and not cookie-cutter-over-photoshopped-impossible-perfect. Your work can be both incredibly dramatic as well as simple, but it portrays the theme of also being somewhat elemental–tangible. None of your work appears cheesy or overworked. It has enough flare to make a statement and draw attention while still pertaining to your style.

And your senior photography leaves me speechless, literally. Trust me, I am not a gusher when it comes to an artist; I just get really enthusiatic genuinely.:) It makes me wish I had known of you when I was a senior in high school. :) You capture something profound, and yet subtle in your portraits. It is difficult enough to get seniors to relax and become expressive with their eyes and not just their face. I have done a few senior portraits, and it does not happen naturally without tallent behind it (thus I have decided senior photography isn’t quite my thing…).

In my own career I struggle between photographing everything that fascinates me as well as pieces that people respond to. I am afraid of falling into cliches, but I am also afraid of losing who I am by trying to emulate other photographer’s inspirations. I have a sense of who I am in my work, but I still don’t know who I am as a photographer. Following my gut and “winging it” has both helped me and hurt me, but has only shown me a small window of potential.

The most frightening aspect is that as my work improves, it raises the bar–making it so that “interesting” photography no longer makes the cut. Suddenly “interesting” also has to be “artistic” if not “brilliant”. And you are too right in saying that some things people love, others will disregard completely.

The most difficult aspect is trying to remain true to yourself and what makes you unique in your own work and making it work for you.

tish - Michelle, I was just thinking of you today…about how gracious you are in sharing what you have worked so hard to learn. I am not a pro photographer, but I understand the industry can be kind of cut-throat, so the fact that you are willing to help your peers and stay-at-home moms like me is amazing. Your photos are fantastic, and you are a master of light. Plus, you are helping your clientele of normally self-conscious teens to see their individual and unique beauty. They radiate in your photos!

BTW, I was feeling sympathy for you til I saw that killer photo you dropped at the end of the post! Kidding!

Karen - Thanks so much Michelle for sharing with us how you feel and your thoughts, I’ve been following your blog for so long that I have no idea how I found your awesome work.
Thank you for the words of keeping your self true to who you are, you don’t have any idea how I need them this week. It reminds me where I want to go and that the learning process is continuos, always to give the best of us to be better for others that may need us.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOUR WORK!!!!!

God bless u!

Catherine Abegg - Michelle… OH MY GOD. I read this, and I read the comments, and then I was going to comment, and then I decided not to. Then I read it again, and THEN I read your “About Me” section. So I JUST found out that you are 25 years old!!! I am nearly shitting in my pants right now!!! Here I have been following you all this time, thinking that you are this very well-established professional photographer… I think I was picturing a very hip thirty or forty something year old woman. I don’t want to sound ignorant, or as if I’m trying to defy the “age is nothing but a number” mantra, but I am just absolutely blown away–BLOWN AWAY!!!–by your talent, your style, your literary strength, your design, your accomplishments… and here I have been thinking that it was due in part to years & years of experience and working towards what you do! I guess I have to learn how to check my pre-judged notions at the door! Kudos to you to being so very very very ahead of the game at such a fresh stage in your life as a young adult, and I would like to encourage you to not be discouraged! You have a lifetime ahead of you, and believe me when I tell you that things will get much easier as you grow into yourself, not just talent-wise, but personally and otherwise. I see some seriously major things happening in your future, as is quite obvious by your extreme talent as an artist, and I am just beyond myself with happiness to know that I have many more decades of watching you grow. How exciting…

Nomayne - Your talent is undeniable. Your age compared to others – not a worry. I wish I was as put together as you are. Your business sense is so strong. You even go out running for free your mind! I’m a 32 year old, mother of four who just started my business 2 years ago. I feel like I’m at the bottom of the pack and I should be doing more about getting my business running ‘properly’. But why compare myself to the photographers who have no kids and can dedicate their time to perfecting their business? So, I am envious of your time, but we’re all in a different place. A different life. I should be happy with what I have. And I am much happier being this way. There is a chinese proverb: there is no one person better than the other.

Sarah Lajevardi - Such poetic words really. I get sucked into the world of photography blogs and find that I spend more time wishing I was like ” the others” instead of working on my own craft as much as I could… and should. Thanks so much for the reminder to be true to myself. Now if you could send me a kick in the pants email every Monday that would be ever so helpful! ; )

ali - Your words, your photography and everything about you sparkles! I am a mom of 4 teenagers – I’ve had a career as a textile designer in London and Seattle, several great years as just Mom, and now I’m remaking myself again as a photographer. It has never turned out the way I planned, some roads have been long and messy and others short and sweet. But it all has its place, and I know for sure that someone as shining, inspiring, talented, unique, honest and giving as you will for SURE find a beautiful, wonderful path, even if it’s different to what you had planned.

Fiona K - Totally agree Michelle. As someone who has changed careers recently I sometimes wonder how far along I would be if I’d pursued photography years ago when I studied it. Though I keep reminding myself I wouldn’t be the photographer I am now if I hadn’t experienced the other avenues I took. I’m just so happy to be pursing a career I love. So true to say that everyone’s journey will always be different.

I can also relate on the subjective nature of art. Working previously in design I’ve seen so many trends come and go. The awesome thing about photography is that we are creating something timeless for people to treasure. You have a wonderful style that will attract clients for who you are. Good luck as you move forward.

Kyle - I get down on myself too especially when I start comparing myself to other photographers and where they are in their careers (why is Michelle Moore such a rockstar when she’s 25 and I am already 26 and not there yet?!? :P). On one hand, you have to cut out the comparison thoughts, because it gets you nowhere. Everyone’s paths are different.

On the other hand, the day we stop wanting more for ourselves is the day we stop growing, and that’s not a good thing either.

There has to be a balance somewhere.

Sarah - First and foremost I just want to say that you are incredible! You are my go to photographer when looking for inspiration because I feel like you just get it. You manage to mix style and personality so well in your photos. You really make “ordinary” girls look like supermodels, and I mean who wouldnt love to be able to say that about themselves. And your salt and prep fashion shoot blew me away! Not only do I want to have everything they are wearing, I also wanna try and style my own shoot from head to toe :)So basically I think you are amazing and super inspiring.
Photography is such a competitive thing, not necessarily always in a bad way – but I for one always am looking at others pictures and comparing, which is just stupid. Like you said you just have to be yourself and do your own thing, and that is what is going to make you stand out. I cant tell you how many people’s blogs I have found who take pictures that look just like jasmine stars. Really beautiful pictures but at the end of the day people are more likely to want to book jasmine because of her personality and because she is true to herself. So for those of us who are lucky enough to figure out who we are and what our own style is, I think we will make it.
And you Ms. Moore are in a league of your own because your work has recognition value. (Wow sorry for writing a freakin novel as a comment)
xo

faith - What I find interesting is that I don’t know if you ever really “get there” – you know, the point where you feel you’re on top of your career choice because there is always, always, always someone else out there who you can and will compare yourself to. I earned my degree in graphic design and that is a brutal major because you have weekly critiques on your work and guaranteed no one ever feels like they’re enough by the time they graduate. Then, that feeling continues as you begin your career because there is always something new and better out there. Now I’m a photographer and the exact same creative effect is there; the feeling of always needing to play catch-up.

I know many people, including myself, that look up to your amazing work. I want to tell you that just by opening yourself up to your fans and giving photographers very useful info, you are way ahead of other photographers because people look to you for inspiration and guidance which is something you know full well that other photogs WILL NOT do.

It’s ok to be down like you are sometimes, it definitely goes with the creative territory. Just realize you’re totally amazing, get back up and give us some more awesome Michelle Moore photos!!

lesley - I love this post Michelle! I think we are always striving to be better, the best version of ourselves. I am constantly frustrated with my sessions, but then I have to realize I’m not ‘there’ yet, but one day I will be, but by then I’ll be thinking I’m not at the next spot I want to be.
Everyday I switch from feeling great about my work to feeling horrible. I’m just happy to hear that we’re all in the same boat!
Thank you so much for sharing your heart! :)

Stacey Schmidt - Hi Michelle,

First off, Thanks for writing this post. I know you said that it was mainly for you but obviously it has hit home for a bunch of people, me being one of them. I have been a part-time photographer for a while, and have recently moved to Vancouver, BC to pursue it full-time. It is hard starting over in a new city where you don’t know anyone and on top of that to start a business. I’m constantly doubting myself, and feel like i’m behind the pack in terms of my careers and successes. I know everyone has their own path and has paid their own dues in different ways, but sometimes its just so darn frustrating, lol. Anyways I just wanted to say that you aren’t the only one out there that feels this way. I have been following your blog for a while now, and from what I can tell, you have grown as a photographer. With every shoot you do I see subtle differences, and its refreshing. You are heading on your own path towards your goals and dreams. And most of all thank you for reminding me that its ok to not be like every other photographer and that i don’t need to be where they are in life.
I really enjoy your work, and I hope that one day we can meet and collaborate.
For now Take Care,
Stacey

dontsmilenow - This post comes at the right time for me as i question who I am and am I doing the right thing, and truth is, I can try, experiment and learn new thing, but I will always just be who i am . Thank you!

Jeanette LeBlanc - Thank you for this very open, humble and inspirational post. It means a great deal when someone so admired is willing to be so very real – it takes strength and clarity of vision let yourself be so vulnerable – and it makes a difference to so many who have been in the same place you describe.

Jeanette

Elizabeth - Michelle,

I just happened across your blog and your work for the first time this evening. I was so moved by your candid and honest post that I couldn’t help but comment and add to the many others that feel a connection with what you said.

I imagine that what you are describing is the perfect joy we feel when what we picture in our mind translates in our photograph, the horror we feel when it seems our skill set is not where it needs to be to acheive this, and the roller coaster ride of emotions between feeling so high after an amazing (almost magical) session and the depths of despair when we don’t feel said magical connection.

Do you question your choices? or go with your gut instinct? I feel like I question everything way too much. Did I choose appropriate music for that presentation? Is that pose toooo funky??lol Do I have good taste? I know what I like when I see it in anothers work, the only problem is that by then, it’s not my own original thought or idea. Many times when I do come up with an original idea, I am nervous to use it because maybe it’s too out there (not to be appreciated by a broad enough audience) and I do need clients to be happy so that I make a living. It seems like a catch 22.

As far as comparisons,well, i agree with one of the other comments that it has a good side which pushes you to continue to grow and not become complacent, and the bad side is that when you compare, you might be tempted to make light of your own journey and that would be quite sad indeed!

What you said was so perfectly open and honest and I think that it is something that resonates deep inside of all creative minded people, whether they are painters, musicians, etc..

It is nice to hear that we’re not alone. So, thank you :)

Agustín Samper - I cannot agree more. I love your work, is absolutely inspiring for me. Congratulations!!

Apple - I’ll be rooting for you michelle!:)

So far, i’ve learned that no matter what you have to believe in yourself. It helps a lot to look at others work for inspiration, but these will all be nothing if you don’t do some practice yourself. :)

Kristin Genna - Wow… this is exactly how I feel too! I’m sure so many do. So many of us feel behind. I always feel a bit down when I see a 21 year old making a living at photography… and their work is awesome. but I have to remind myself that focusing on such things is a waste of energy and is negative. We all just need to focus on our passions and be inspired by each other, not measured by each other. I’ve been involved with photography for a long time but never even considered attempting making it a career because of the fear of failure at the one thing I really deeply enjoy. Recently I figured if it’s the one I truly enjoy, it’s the one thing I should really try to be better at and give it a shot. The worst thing we can do is to give up on ourselves or beat ourselves up for not being this enough or that enough but it can be so hard to remember it, believe it and live it… sorry I went on so long…

Anja - Wow, reading this I felt like you’ve written down what’s going on in my mind. I’m not a “real” photographer though meaning I have a full-time job that won’t allow me to actually work as a photographer but since I’m looking for a new job I keep thinking about taking my photography to another level. But then again I go through all those amazing photographers’ work and doubt I’ll be good enough to keep up with them.
As far as I can tell, you shouldn’t be struggling with those doubts because your work is awesome. But it’s good to know, that other people go through the same thing as I do.

Debra Ham - Michelle,
Thank you so much for this post! I absolutely adore your work & I look at it often to help remind me of what I want to do. It helps me to keep my focus because I, too, would like to break into the fashion industry and seeing you focus on that goal keeps me motivated while staying on my own path.

I was feeling this way a few weeks ago and often have to remind myself of this very fact, that I must stay true to myself and not try to get in someone else’s lane! I think that the internet is a wonderful thing, but it has it’s pitfalls also. We are all so connected and that allows us to very easily see what others are doing, saying & thinking more readily than in passed years. But, if we stay focused on our own goals, dreams, & strengths then we will get to where we want to be!

Be encouraged & keep pushing along!

Julie - Hey Michelle,

I’m a long time admirer. And while I’m not in a position of photography authority or experience, I wanted to let you know that whenever your blog posts pop up on Google Reader, I stop whatever I’m doing to read. And I mean anything.

You are inspiring and talented and even if you were the least successful person in the world business wise (which you obviously are not), you still make some of the most beautiful and fresh pictures I’ve ever seen.

Michelle Moore

SEND US A MESSAGE!

Contact Us!

Message

A Personal Note, “Being Yourself”

Categories

POINTS OF INTEREST

SEARCH

Recent Posts