Still Starting, Still Showing Up
In a world of self doubt and being creatively stunted - photographer Emily Jane shares her thoughts and journey truthfully and in more depth. It’s hard starting out and creating time to do the things you love sometimes - there’s nothing wrong with taking a break and some time for yourself to reset for me May is always busy with personal events. Let’s get back to it and create more magic with the camera.
This month hasn’t been filled with photo shoots or new content. It’s been slower, quieter—and in that quiet, some self-doubt crept in.
I turned 30 recently, and it made me reflect. I’m not quite where I thought I’d be—personally or professionally. I’d hoped to be earning more. Doing more. Feeling more established. But in truth, I only committed to photography about six months ago. It’s unrealistic to expect overnight success—but still, there’s a part of me that wishes I was already there.
Me and My trusty Sidekick Floki - Created by AI as a bit of fun.
TV doesn’t help. You see characters younger than you, already smashing it in their careers. Social media doesn’t help either. Instagram vs. reality is a very real thing. For a while, I’d scroll through and think my life sucks compared to everyone else’s. But now, I mostly stick to my photography account—because that’s where I put the real stuff. The work. The progress. The passion.
And that’s the thing—I am making progress. I finally launched my Etsy shop this month. It’s small, it’s early days, but it’s something I built. Something I’m proud of.
Still, it’s hard when things feel stuck. A colleague at work asked me the other day, “How’s the photography going?” I smiled and said, “Slowly getting there.” But what I really wanted to say was, It’s been quiet. No one’s shown interest lately. I’m feeling a bit lost with it. But I didn’t. Because sometimes admitting that out loud feels like failure.
The truth is, this journey is full of stops and starts. But even in those quiet patches, the spark’s still there. I’ve realized that the worst thing I can do is let the day job—or life, or doubt—get in the way of being creative. You don’t need to be busy with clients to stay inspired. You just need to keep making. Keep showing up for your own work. Even if no one else is watching right now.
Sometimes, you just need someone to hype you up. Because imposter syndrome is real—especially when you’re still early in your journey. But the moment you talk about your work, or show it to someone, and they light up—that’s the moment you remember why you do this.
And that support doesn’t always have to come from close friends or clients. I made a new friend on Instagram this month—another photographer just starting out. We’ve been sharing feedback, tips, and cheering each other on. That kind of connection is powerful. I believe in building others up, because we all grow faster when we grow together.
If you’re a creative just starting out, share your work. Talk about it. Make something just for you. Find opportunities—or create your own. Keep being creative, no matter what else is going on. Even slow growth is still growth.
If you’re new to my account or my blog, know this: I’ll always share the real stuff. No filters. No fake positivity. Just honesty. I don’t live life through rose-tinted glasses, and I won’t lie to you. If you’re looking for something relatable and real, follow along. You’ll see my journey as it unfolds—and maybe, just maybe, it’ll encourage you to follow your own dream too.
Created by Ai - Not giving up - At the beginning of my journey but still here.