Beginning is the hardest step...


There is this idea that as you get older it's impossible to learn new things, which is just plain wrong. Most people are not born with natural talent, but it's always expected that when you try something new you should be go at it right away or just give up. There's a pressure to be perfect, but I can say certainly firsthand that it is okay to not be. We all start somewhere, I know I sure did. Today, I want to talk bout what it means to start off as a photographer and some skills you may need to develop along the way. I think I'm going to do multiple parts, getting into the details as a guide for those looking where to begin.


1| You will not start out good... and that's okay.

No matter what you think, when you look back at the things you did a year from now your skills will have developed. Especially when beginning. you will very well look back at the things you produced with an artists eye and feel a sense of embarrassment. Some poeple let this deter them from ever starting. I beg for you to just understand we all go through this. The so called 'ugly phase' of your photography is mandatory for growth. You haven't put in the hours or time to learn the skills needed to create what you envision.


Start thinking of photography as any other form of art. If you begin painting one day, are you going to be Da Vinci the next? Probably not unless you're the 0.00001% of people born as a prodigy. The 'ugly phase' isn't a problem, it's proof that you're learning. How to help develop when beginning can be broken down easily: Taking five minutes a day to practice shooting, learning from mistakes rather than deleting, and studying other photographers methods.


2| Stop trying to 'find your style'

So many people focus on the aesthetics before the skill. Your style emerged naturally, you can't focus solely on curating it or else the base skills you need to succeed in the long run will suffer. If you were to bake a cake without taking care for the ingredients and baking process, only focusing on the decoration of the cake, you'll end up with a beautiful cake... that tastes bad. There are levels to developing any skill, and I promise with time your unique style will emerge. The pattern will reveal itself in the colors you're drawn to, the types of things you like to photograph, the way you like to edit, and more. Forcing it can feel more authentic than you would think!


3| Share your work before you're ready

I know, this seems endlessly daunting. Sharing something you're not entirely confident in is terrifying, you're opening yourself up completely for criticism when you know your skills aren't at the peak of where they could be. That's just the thing though: your skills will NEVER seem like they're good enough to you. When you set a goal that you'll start sharing when you feel ready, it's a goal without a finish line in site. It's abstract and the benchmark just keeps getting pushed further and further away. Sharing your work allows for you to receive feedback and motivation. You'll receive compliments, learn to grapple with critique, and develop confidence in your work. You don't need a huge audience, and a small group of viewers is nothing to be ashamed of. All you need is more than one.


4| your first camera matters less than you think

It's hard not to obsess over gear when you start out as a photographer. The truth is getting the most expensive top of the market camera isn't going to instantly make you an amazing photographer. It's not a hidden cheat code to developing skill. Much the same, getting the same camera as a photographer you admire does not mean your work will turn out the same. it's much more nuanced. Your camera is a tool and YOU are the wielder. A tool is only as good as the person who is working with it. Focus on the skills behind it: exposure, composition (I have a whole blog about this right here), etc. Not to mention, the higher end gear is expensive and complicated. It can make your learning process more difficult and discouraging in the long run.


For now, these are the things I'm going to stick with. I want to expand more on certain skills as well as beginner gear, so if you have any recommendations for that, please reach out to me by email (jenniferbeckphotography@gmail.com) or on instagram (@jenniferbeckphotography). Until next time!!