Six Tips to Becoming a More Confident Photographer

When you first jump into the world of photography it is both exciting and fun to embark on this new journey. Too often though, new photographers begin to feel discouraged or inadequate when comparing themselves to other more seasoned photographers. I always encourage photographers to quit the comparison game and start to really focus on yourself, your craft, and your skills. By taking the time to really work on yourself, you will find yourself on the road to becoming a more confident photographer.

Practice, Practice, Practice!
Take your camera with you everywhere, and photograph a lot. If you really want to gain more confidence, practicing a lot is the easiest and swiftest way to start to really understand your camera, how it works, and what you need to do to achieve your desired look. Photography is like math. You can know what the settings do and how to change them, but if you don't know how to apply them, you will struggle. So take the time to practice and really get comfortable with your camera.

Try Something Different
Try photographing things different. It's easy to get into a rut where you are constantly photographing things the same way. Try looking at them from a different perspective. Lay on the ground and shoot upwards. Climb on a ladder and shoot down. Photograph through something. Play with different lens. Don't be afraid to make mistakes in the pursuit of improving yourself and your artwork.

Challenge Yourself
Push yourself to document things in a variety of situations. Professional photographers don't always have the ideal environment or set-up to photograph in. Knowing how to handle any situation will prepare you for the real world of photography where anything and everything can go wrong.

Read
You can never stop learning. Read as much as you can. Whether it's technical, spiritual, professional, etc... gleaning knowledge form the experts who've paved the way can only help you. It doesn't have to be just about photography either. Fictional books or books about other businesses might inspire you to try something different and take you to a whole new level.

Seek Inspiration
Inspiration can come in many forms. It might be another photographers artwork, or a movie, or a book, or your family. Inspiration can come from anywhere. Find what it is that inspires you and throw yourself into it. Let it engulf you so that you can take that passion and curiosity and vibrance and put it into your art.

Be Open to Feedback and Criticism
If you really want to make it to the next level and feel truly confident in your craft, open yourself up to a critique. The best way to learn and grow as an artist is to have another professional look at your work and offer up their advice, opinions, and suggestions for improvement. Sometimes it can be hard to hear the negative, but we can't grow if all we ever hear is the positive. True growth comes from learning through experience.

Whether you are brand new to photography, looking to start up a business, or just feeling like you are stuck in a rut, these six tips can help you on your way to becoming the confident photographer you aspire to be. Just remember to constantly practice and look for new ways of doing things, be open to inspiration and seek out constructive criticism. And above all, never stop looking for ways to grow and improve!