Watch today’s post as a video by clicking here or the picture above.

Accepting Ourselves Makes Us Better Photographers

As photographers, we often get caught up in projecting an image—not just through our lens, but of ourselves to the world.

This projection becomes a mask we wear, especially on social media, where we try to present a polished version that aligns with how we think we should be seen.

But here’s the undeniable truth: people see right through these masks.

And the more we try to maintain an image that isn’t true to who we are, the more exhausting it becomes.

The Masks We Wear

The question we must ask ourselves is, who are we wearing these masks for?

If we dig deep, we’ll realize they’re mostly for ourselves.

But the irony is that when we project an inauthentic version of ourselves, the acceptance we receive feels hollow.

How can we feel fulfilled if the “us” being praised isn’t genuine?

Embracing Our Oddities

I speak from experience.

Social anxiety has been part of my journey for as long as I can remember.

I’ve felt like the odd one out, plagued with thoughts of, “Why would anyone care about my photography? Why would anyone care about me?”

But here’s the revelation I’ve come to: those very oddities, those unique quirks, are the foundation of my creativity.

It’s my shyness and nuanced perspective that make me notice the world in a way others might not.

And that is where true creativity lives.

Leave a comment

Why Creatives Struggle

It’s not uncommon for creative people to struggle with internal battles.

Why do we, the ones most attuned to the beauty and strangeness of life, also carry the weight of self-doubt and turmoil?

It took me a while to understand that what I truly wanted was to be of service to others.

The moment I realized this—that my passion for photography and my goal to help emerging photographers mattered more than my anxiety—things changed.

Letting Go of Ego

The truth is, ego is what often stops us.

It’s what makes us fear putting ourselves out there.

For years, I mentored photographers in person, but my social anxiety kept me from extending that presence to YouTube.

When I accepted that my fear was rooted in ego and learned to let go of it, everything shifted.

Accepting myself—my flaws, my shyness, my peculiarities—freed me to create more, share more, and ultimately, grow.

The Antidote to Shyness

For those of you who also identify as shy photographers or creatives, my advice is this: dive into your work.

Immerse yourself in your craft, because nothing breaks the chains of self-doubt better than creativity.

There’s no better antidote for shyness than embracing your uniqueness and letting it flow into your work.

The reward? The incredible feeling of executing your ideas, whether for yourself or a client.

Creating a Legacy

Life is a journey with peaks of joy and valleys of hardship.

Yet, with your camera in hand, you can create moments that outlive both.

By being of service through photography, documenting life, and leaving your creative mark, you inspire others.

You build a legacy, one shutter click at a time.

The Path to True Success

True success in photography—and in life—comes when we accept who we are, let go of ego, and focus on serving others with our creativity.

This mindset shift doesn’t just improve our art; it transforms our lives.

It’s an attitude adjustment rooted in authenticity.

Final Thoughts

In order to move forward, you have to create your own path, make your own rules, and most importantly, accept yourself.

It’s through that acceptance and service to others that you’ll find your greatest successes and deepest fulfillment.

Keep making pictures, keep sharing your story, and as always, keep shooting.

If you found this helpful, especially if you’re struggling with imposter syndrome or social anxiety.

Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for in-depth photography tutorials, industry insights, and regular content crafted to help you grow your skills.

If you prefer to learn on the go, follow The Carty Method podcast on your favourite platform and keep building your photography business practices.

Every professional started as a beginner.

Each picture you make is one step further on your journey, so keep creating, stay inspired, and make every image count.

I hope today brought you value. Of course, I’ll see you next Saturday.

Leave a comment

👉🏾 I am a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.

My goal here is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.

Work with me 👉🏾 theCartyMethod.com

👉🏾 Mindset shifts and Immersive Pro Education on YouTube 👈🏾 21K Subscribers.

Learn more about me and see my work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com

Join my photographers mentorship community 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com/community

Have your photographs reviewed by me twice weekly on YouTube 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com/youtubesubmissions

Short Hits of Advice from a 34 Year Pro. Playlist