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The Imposter Syndrome Mind Game
It helps to remember that it’s not always about you.
I remember the first time I was called a fraud.
I remember it because it was only two years ago. I had taken some pro bono photos for a young woman who claimed to be looking for a self-esteem boost.
I told her I’ve been shooting for years as I’m university-trained. A true statement.
I told her I’m more of an experimental photographer based on my fancy-pants fine art background. Also true. She seemed excited about the idea of a custom portrait session.
I told her I would fully edit the photos and turn it back to her quickly. And I did.
Because I wasn’t getting paid and I had no use for the photos, I didn’t get her to sign a model release. We had a “handshake agreement,” the kind I’m used to when collaborating for free or for favors.
A mistake I will never make again.
The photo session went without a hitch. As I wasn’t getting paid, I only had a nifty-fifty (a cheap 50mm prime lens), my main camera body, a 5-in-1 reflector, and a tripod on standby. I’m a minimalist when it comes to shooting and I like it that way.
She seemed excited during the shoot, but when she got her photos back, she was unhappy…