7 Things Photography has taught me
Being a photographer for a lot of people might seem like the easiest job ever. You just press the button and collect the money from people. Magic! Easy! But it is faaaaaaar more than that. Taking pictures of others brings so much joy to me and my clients are happy too, but I would also get hit with some struggles and that teaches me something… I would describe being a photographer a mix of creativity, patience, people skills, and learning how to be an entrepreneur (fancy word for being self-employed). That and 100 more things.
Here are seven main things I’ve learned from life behind the lens:
1. Patience is key
People need time to relax in front of a camera. Nobody has born being a model, everything comes with a practice. Most of the time clients need time to breathe, to stop worrying about their hair, or to realise I’m not secretly judging their smile. Waiting for the moment is just as important as creating it.
2. Everyone wants to be seen
No matter how shy or confident, people light up when they feel truly noticed. I have noticed that especially when photographing women. Social pressure and expectations often put a heavy weight on women’s shoulders. And I have turned it into my mission - to lift off that weight of you.
3. Perfection doesn’t exist
That is something I learnt in the past years. I was a perfectionist and that was doing me more harm them helping. I just had to drop it for my sanity. If I would be waiting for the perfect angle, perfect expression, and perfect weather, I would still be waiting when the sun sets. Imperfection is often the part that makes people say “that’s so me.”
4. Flexibility keeps you sane
Rain in Auckland? Shocking, I know. Last-minute location changes? Normal. Mum goes into labour or her maternity session? Well let’s reschedule for a family session instead. Staying flexible is not only important for my dear clients, but also for my self. If I am stiff, I will snap like a pencil. But if I bend a little, the ride becomes more enjoyable. “Trust the process” would fit here well.
5. Self-employment is 80% business, 20% photography
Yes, I love holding the camera. But most days, I’m holding a laptop. Emails, contracts, taxes, chasing receipts that went missing… The less glamorous part is the biggest part. And learning to put a price on your time? That’s a whole education on its own.
6. Confidence grows in action, not theory
Reading about confidence is nice. All the mindset courses and youtube videos I have watched helps, but confidence mainly comes from ones experience. At least it does for me…. Like stepping into a session with a family of six, two toddlers, and a dog who refuses to sit? That’s where the real growth happens. Every session pushes me out of my comfort zone. Each time, I prove to myself I can handle more than I thought.
7. Connection beats equipment
My clients rarely ask, “What camera do you use?” But they do remember how comfortable they felt, how they laughed, or how I told them to “just look at each other like you’re arguing over the last chip.” It’s not about the gear. It’s about the feeling. Relationship is everything to me.
Photography keeps teaching me, sometimes the easy way and sometimes the hard way (like those full-day editing marathons with a cramp in my palm). But even with the juggling multiple things at once and being a one women’s show, there are still plenty of moments that make it worth it.
I feel so grateful I am able to do this as my full time job, but mainly because I can see a joy and even transformation the photography can bring into peoples life’s. That is priceless to me.