Self-belief—it's arguably the most powerful thing you can have, especially as a photographer. Sure, there are many tools in photography: the camera, the lens, the lighting, the subject. But all of those take a backseat to belief in yourself. Self-belief isn’t a switch you turn on once; it’s built over time through experience and learning, through picking up tricks of the trade and overcoming challenges. Yet one thing I didn’t expect when I started out was how inconsistent self-belief could be.
After a successful shoot, when I know I’ve captured great images, I feel on top of the world. But the confidence from one experience doesn’t guarantee it will last. I’ve had moments, looking back at some of my best shots, where, instead of feeling proud, I feel inadequate about my current work. Self-doubt creeps in so quietly that, if I’m not vigilant, it takes over. Staying confident requires constant, intentional effort. If I ignore it, that belief in myself can slip away faster than I can catch it.
One of my favorite shoots was with a rapper who hired me for promotional shots. The session was electric; he was a natural in front of the camera, and together we absolutely killed it. He was full of passion and self-belief. I remember he even had a podcast episode on his Spotify page, talking about his experience making music and describing the path he was on—a powerful message. To this day, shooting with him is one of the most memorable experiences in my career. But when I went back to find him on social media years later, he seemed to have vanished. I don’t say this to call him out—he was genuinely talented, someone with a unique voice in his music. Life happens, dreams evolve, and sometimes people step away. But it made me think about how easy it is to lose track of what you once believed in, especially if life pulls you in unexpected directions.
Recently, I had to face a similar challenge in my own life. As I write this, my first blog post, I’m coming out of one of the hardest experiences I've ever had. The most important constant in my life disappeared, and with it went the foundation I thought I could rely on. I was left free-falling into despair, realizing only now how complacent I’d become. I thought I was being careful, vigilant, but I see now that I had taken so much for granted. Just like self-belief in photography, relationships and other parts of life need constant attention. When I wasn’t paying close enough attention, that foundation gave way, and the loss overwhelmed me before I had a chance to brace myself.
As kids, we all dream about living happily ever after. I used to think it meant overcoming one big challenge and then coasting for the rest of my life. But that’s not real life. Happiness, success, and fulfillment are ongoing efforts, just like self-belief in photography. Living “happily ever after” doesn’t mean the challenges stop; it means putting in the work day after day to keep that happiness alive. Belief in yourself, and in what you do, is a constant practice—a journey rather than a destination.
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