I entered the photography world the way a lot of women do: by accident.
I was a kindergarten teacher, with twin boys at home. I was desperate for a way to supplement my income, and maybe (just maybe!) get the chance to be a full time stay-at-home mom while doing so.
The problem? I didn’t know the first thing about how to run a business or market myself. I couldn’t consistently produce professional level images that I was proud of. I would shoot in auto mode and I just remember feeling so lucky every time I got a good photo.
I knew which photos I loved and found pretty, but I didn’t know how to consistently create them. It was all up to chance, and the fact I just got lucky sometimes made me feel like I didn’t know what I was doing. I loved photography, but it also felt like torture. I was so nervous during every single session, and I was convinced that everyone would see me for who I really was: a fraud.
I was ready to quit.
I remember one morning sitting down and writing this all out in my journal. It felt like a failure to quit because I really did love photography. I wanted it to work for me, especially because I wanted a job that gave me the flexibility that I wanted now that I was a mom. I asked myself in that moment, “Why do I feel this way? Why do I feel like such a fraud? What is the big problem?” And every single time, the answer: I didn’t know what I was doing.
What is imposter syndrome in photography?
Imposter syndrome is feeling incompetent, despite evidence to the contrary. Good reviews? They just don’t know any better. Repeat clients? They just feel bad for me. Everyone loves your work? It’s only because they know me.
Imposter syndrome in photography business feels especially brutal. As a photographer, you’re working closely with clients, creating images that they’ll keep forever. You’re putting your heart and soul on the line, so hearing the voice inside your head repeatedly tell you, “Just wait until they all find out you don’t know what you’re doing!” can be demoralizing. It will keep you from marketing yourself in an honest way, and from charging what you need to charge to have a profitable photography business.
How do you know if you have imposter syndrome?
Examples of imposter syndrome in photographers includes:
- Not charging enough to have a profitable business.
- Being scared to raise your prices.
- Avoiding posting about your business on social media.
- When someone asks what you do, you don’t tell them, “I’m a photographer.”
- Refusing to say no, even when a client isn’t a good fit.
- Not wanting to niche down, even when you know you need to.
- Being scared to show the work that you want to do, not just the work you THINK you should do.
- Not having boundaries in your business.
What causes imposter syndrome among photographers?
A lot of family and newborn photographers are self-taught. Like me, they picked up a camera to document their own families, and realized they had an eye for light and photography. My educational background is in teaching, not art or photography, so everything I’ve learned I’ve had to teach myself.
There’s isn’t an official certification process to become a professional photographer, so how do you really know if you’re skilled enough to be one?
How do you overcome imposter syndrome as a photographer?
Thankfully, through a lot of hard work, I now run a profitable photography studio, and have been able to expand into photography education. I’m no longer anxious when I walk into a session, and am able to consistently produce images that my clients love. I’ve been able to be home with my family, and watch my twins grow up over the last 18 years.
I’m now on a mission to help other photographers beat imposter syndrome and confidence issues in their own photography businesses. How do I do that?
Education
I teach the technical skills needed to be a professional photographer, including lighting and posing. I also provide education on marketing your photography business, using proven techniques from my own successful studio business.
Community
I have a fantastic community of likeminded photographers, who are also on their way to becoming confident photographers. Kind, supportive, and ready to cheer you on through all the ups and downs of being a business owner!
Mentorship
You have the opportunity to get one on one calls with me, to discuss your work. I will help you figure out which areas of your photography work and business may need some extra attention, and a plan for how to get that done.
Certification
I can provide the tangible proof you need to finally tell yourself, “I’ve got this.”
How do I do this?
My Sandra Coan Certification Program is a one-of-a-kind program in the photography business world. It’s meant to provide whole business education, from the technical skills all the way through to website and marketing. It includes access to an incredible community, twice a month group and one-on-one coaching calls, and lifetime course access to educational materials.
The best part?
At the end of this, you will be a Sandra Coan Certified Photographer. You will finally have the proof you’ve been needing, to prove to yourself that you ARE a professional photographer, worthy of a profitable business.
“I signed up for Certification because I had imposter syndrome, SO bad. I would get incredibly anxious before, during and after every single session! I would just DREAD putting my SD card into my computer after my sessions because I truly believe my clients wouldn’t like the photos. So when I saw certification come up, and I learned I would learn about posing, I was going to learn about light AND that I was going to get feedback as I learned from someone I trusted- I just knew, that would be the thing to help me with my anxiety, and it 100% has!” – Angela, Sandra Coan Certified Photographer
Next Steps
I’m currently taking applications for the Certification program here! Applying doesn’t cost anything, nor is it a commitment to enrolling in Certification. If your application is accepted, you’ll be invited to schedule a one-on-one call with me to talk about your interest in the program, and whether or not it’s a good fit for you and your business.
Additional information on imposter syndrome in photography
How I Overcame Imposter Syndrome (podcast)
How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Grow Your Photography Business (podcast)
Free Training: From Doubt to Dollars: How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome While Building A Dream Photography Business
