Photographing a Fellow Photographer's Newborn Grandson and Challenging Imposter SyndromeAs a professional newborn photographer I want to give my clients the very best, from the moment they first step into my studio until the time they receive their finished images. I'll let you into a little secret. I've never been the most confident person and of course, a big part of being a photographer is having to deal with people on a regular basis. The art of appearing confident is a skill I've had to learn.
Back when I photographed weddings I would fret for days before the big event, but on the day itself my lovely husband (who acted as my assistant back then) tells me it was as if I had been possessed by another person. He joked that I seemed to put on a confident, assertive woman's persona when I dressed in the morning, and only became myself again once the day was over and we were driving home.
If I'm honest, even after all these years I do still occasionally have a few butterflies in my stomach before a session. I recognised long ago that I suffer with imposter syndrome, and there are times when that inner gremlin's voice gets louder in my ear, most recently with this lovely job, when a fellow photographer's new grandson was my little client. NO PRESSURE THERE THEN! As it turns out I need not have worried. The session ran as smoothly as silk and my little models were so well behaved on the day I managed to get every shot I had planned. Mum, dad (and grandad!) were very pleased. I very rarely post blogs about specific jobs, but I thought I would here, as it gives me an opportunity to also talk about what helps my own pre-session nerves when they arise. In doing so, I hope this blog might also help anyone else experiencing the same. Lets try and silence this imposter syndrome gremlin, shall we? Here are some tips which I hope will help. Practice Relaxation and Mindfulness
I think the first step in dealing with imposter syndrome is to recognise that imposter syndrome is indeed what you are experiencing. For those who don't know, imposter syndrome is where someone doubts their accomplishments and/or abilities, and fears they may be exposed as a 'fraud', even when they have demonstrated again and again competence in their chosen field. If this has given you a lightbulb moment and you realise it applies to you, just acknowlege your feelings without self judgement. This is a common experience and many people, including successful professionals, have felt the same way at some point. One of my head-shot clients had a role in a movie with a very famous actor and she reports that before filming even he expressed concern that everyone would think he was rubbish in the scene they were filming!
Challenge negative self talk. Pay attention to the negative thoughts and beliefs that add fire to the flame of imposter syndrome and then challenge them. Are they based on facts or simply your insecurities? Replace negative self talk with positive self talk; remind yourself of your past successes and skills as a photographer.
Keep reminding yourself of your unique talent, skills and of the experiences that have led to where you are today. Boost your confidence by thinking about the positive feedback you've had from clients.
One thing that really helps me is to take time to plan ahead for each photography session. Plan each shot and think about any potential issues that might arise. For example in a newborn photography session what if baby takes a while to settle? Or perhaps big brother or sister might be reluctant to pose? Have a plan of action ready for any such scenario. If you are photographing outdoors scout the location in advance and ensure you have all the necessary equipment ready. Feeling prepared can greatly diminish some of the anxiety you may be feeling. Spend a bit of time visualising yourself successfully finishing the session. Imagine yourself confidently interacting with clients and capturing beautiful images. Visualise yourself successfully dealing with any potential issues.
Don't be afraid to speak with family and friends for support and encouragement. Speaking with others can provide reassurance that you're not alone in experiencing imposter syndrome!
Be kind to yourself. Imagine you are talking to your child, partner or best friend and treat yourself with the same level of understanding and compassion. Understand that it is perfectly ok to make mistakes, everybody does because nobody is perfect!
Instead of focussing on your own insecurities try instead to concentrate on meeting your client's needs. Keep in mind that they hired you because they trust your abililities as a photographer and your primary goal is to deliver to them the high quality images and excellent service you have proved in the past that you can.
Take some time to reflect on your past accomplishments as a photographer. Remind yourself of any obstacles that you've overcome and the valuable experiences you have gained along the way. These past achievements are evidence of your capabilities, so when that self imposter gremlin starts whispering in your ear take a look back at past testimonials from clients and remember how happy your work has made people!
Practice Relaxation and Mindfulness If you find the nerves kicking in before a session, practice deep breathing or meditation which will help reduce stress and promote inner calm. Remember that imposter syndrome is a common experience experienced by many creative professionals. It doesn't define your worth or talent as a photographer. Remember too that art is subjective, don't compare your work to that of another photographer because that damn gremlin will usually tell you that your work is inferior. You have your own style, you have worked hard to get to where you are and you have proved countless times that your clients are happy with your work. Shut that Gremlin up! Yes you, imposter syndrome gremlin, get in the Bin!
Thanks for reading! 
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