KEEP PEOPLE AROUND YOU WHO REMIND YOU THAT IN FACT YOUR SH*T DOES STINK
Dude ... not a very nice title, hah? I guess I'm in a mood or something ... haha ... but seriously:
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU ONLY KEEP PEOPLE AROUND WHO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE AMAZING ALL THE TIME?
I was talking to a friend of mine today who also happens to be a photographer ... she and I were laughing about my blog post about how I feel about Facebook groups and she told me that most of the photography FB groups she spies on have STRINGS and STRINGS of people commenting how awesome 'mediocre' photography is! Like legit photographers are asking:
"CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THEY THINK OF THIS >> WASH, ANGLE, LIGHT, SHADOW, ETC <<"
And it's comments and comments of: omg you are SO good! incredible shot! keep it up! you sparkle like a unicorn! on and on and on ... about semi-ok (I'll insert sh*t) photography!
WHY DO WE DO THIS!?
I didn't get to where I am today because I can't take constructive criticism ... none of the people you watch succeed over and over did! Now, I will say that I'm very careful about who I ask!! I don't throw a question into a FB group and think I'm actually going to get some good advice! << sorry, not sorry ... or advice that I actually respect! I ask people who I truly value ... who have an eye similar to mine or better ... who see things from the perspective of how my target market client would see them or be attracted to them ... I ask people who have an opinion that actually matters to me .. not randos sitting around in a FB group just waiting for that worm to drop so they can share their opinions!
It's HUGELY important to be reminded over and over that you can do something better! People keeping you from putting on your sweats and relaxing! People who keep you motivated to GROW! Who aren't going to tell you that your sh*t picture is BEAUTIFUL but will say something like: you can do better! I've seen you do better ... get inspired again and find your creativity.
DO YOU HAVE PEOPLE LIKE THAT?
If not, get some and fast. I have creatives around me that I ask for advice all the time! Sometimes they tell me it looks great (yay!!) and sometimes they ask me to make adjustments and show them again .... it helps me grow! It helps me see myself and stretch my creative wings to be better than I was before! It's an amazing feeling.
Here's a thought ... next time you want to throw something you created up in a FB group ask yourself:
AM I LOOKING FOR THE TRUTH OR COMPLIMENTS?
If you are looking for the truth then don't look for it on FB ... look for it amongst other industry professionals who you respect and value ... who understand what it is you are trying to achieve and who will be HONEST with you about your work.
XO~ Heather
