How would you describe yourself? Would you say that you’re a professional in any way? Do you feel that you can only be a professional if you work in an environment, for someone else, that you have expectations, understand your job and execute it well?

I think it’s often easier to identify as a professional when you are in a career that isn’t working for yourself…..am I off base?  Maybe! But I’ll explain why I think this.

My post-secondary background is Veterinary Medicine.  I went to school, graduated, wrote my registration exams, paid dues, expected to complete yearly continuing education and adhere to an ethical policy.  I worked really hard in practice, and I was VERY good at my job. I LOVED what I did.  I most certainly considered myself a professional.  Well, the world of vet medicine isn’t the most lucrative for everyone in it, and I always loved being artsy so I went back to school for photography.

I opened my own photography business officially in 2013 (After two years of school and practice and learning).  I have business expenses, an accountant, memberships, website, social media accounts, invest in professional gear and editing programs, props, workshops and more.  All of this has become more prominent and abundant over the last 10 years and I’ve grown immensely.  But let me tell you, the first 5 years of the last decade, I had hardcore imposter syndrome.  And it was really the last 3-4 years that I would say I’m a professional photographer and not feel guilty for saying it.

I would have a hard time attending conferences or meet ups with other photographers because I always viewed them as “experienced and knowledgeable” and I was over here side-eyeing myself for my lack. I was terrified of meeting and speaking with other photographers that they would also see me as an imposter.  However, I never felt like this, even in the beginning years of working in the vet field! WHY?!!

This past week I attended a photography conference in Niagara Falls. There was at least 75 attendees and several speakers who flew in from other places in Canada and the US. Their passion for this industry was loud. I should also mention that there were 11 of us who are locally from the Windsor-Essex area and many I have known for many, many years and others who I’ve greatly connected with through social media. I have my own confidence when I am with them….but ask me about my confidence and feeling like a professional with others in attendance. I’ll tell you….it was pretty lacking. I am certain it is all in my head, but the anxiety of feeling judged, not good enough, that someone would snicker if they saw my work, or even think “Ha! Totally not competition” was strong (PS. I don’t like to think of anyone as competition, I don’t like that term, or thought process and I strongly believe that we are better when we don’t create competition. I also believe that being support to one another, being cheerleaders to others in your craft is amazing and there is always, always enough “clients to go around”.) And do I consider myself a professional photographer? Yes.

Just because you’ve been doing something forever, doesn’t mean you have nothing to learn. It doesn’t mean that you’ve reached the top and “you good now”. It’s forever changing, forever learning, forever growing in not just photography, but as a hair stylist as well. (and so so many other professions!)

Understand that you, as the professional, is where your clients should (and you should want them to!) turn to when they have questions, when they want to know something and to trust you to give them the experience they deserve.

So even if you have imposter syndrome, you think you can’t possibly label yourself as a professional because you don’t know everything….well….neither do the “professionals”!

Always learning, always evolving and STILL professionals. Go get it!