Do Not Compete, Create!
When I first began my career as a photographer, I was trapped in a cycle of comparison. I constantly looked around at what other photographers were doing, often copying their ideas and trying to do better. I felt insecure and anxious, overwhelmed by the fear of not measuring up. The imposter syndrome was relentless, whispering that I wasn’t good enough, that my work didn’t deserve recognition. I thought that if I could just outwork or outperform others, I would finally feel successful.
But the opposite happened. The more I competed, the less joy I found in my work. My creativity was stifled by fear, and I was stuck reacting to the successes and trends around me. There was no sense of fulfillment—just an endless loop of pressure and doubt.
The turning point came when I read an article by Richard Rohr, in which he explored the difference between scarcity and abundance mindsets. Scarcity leads us to believe that life is a competition for limited resources. It tells us that there is never enough success, recognition, or opportunity to go around. But abundance reveals a deeper truth: that life is full of limitless possibilities. There is more than enough for everyone.
I saw how I had been sabotaging my own potential with scarcity thinking. I was chasing after others, convinced that success could only come through competition. Slowly, I began to let go of these harmful beliefs. I asked myself: What does abundance mean for me?
The answer was clear. For me, abundance means creating. It means following my heart, trusting my instincts, and making images that reflect my unique vision. It means questioning my process—not to compare myself to others—but to deepen my connection with the art of photography. Little by little, I stopped competing and began creating. And something unexpected happened. As I stopped worrying about others, they started imitating me. Some photographers even launched secondary brands to compete with mine. But by that point, I no longer felt threatened. I had discovered a path that was mine alone, rooted in presence and creativity.
In my photography practice, I learned the importance of being fully present. When I photograph someone, I pay attention with love, connecting with them as a person. I listen to their story and allow their essence to shape the image. I ask myself, What does it mean to truly see this person? Through this process, the image becomes more than a surface-level snapshot. It becomes a reflection of something deeper.
This presence shapes both the process and the outcome. It brings authenticity and meaning to the image, allowing the client and viewers to connect with it emotionally. But there’s more to it than that. When we engage with ourselves and others in this genuine, intentional way, the experience becomes transformative. We are no longer objectifying reality by seeing it as something separate or disconnected from us. Instead, we become participants in a shared, meaningful moment. It’s this connection that gives life to the image. The process of creating it becomes as valuable as the final result.
As Aristotle once said, "The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." In photography, this significance emerges from presence. The process isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about being fully immersed in the experience of creation, allowing the image to take shape naturally. This is where the magic happens.
To those of you who are just starting out on your creative journey, I offer one piece of advice: Do not compete. Create. Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing. Your life is already full of abundance. You have your own vision, your own voice, and your own way of seeing the world. No one can take that from you. The more you focus on creating from a place of authenticity, the more your work will stand out.
Trust the process. Be present. Pay attention with love. When you do this, you’ll discover that success is not something you have to chase. It will come naturally as you live out your creative truth. Let go of fear and scarcity. Embrace abundance. And remember: the key to lasting success is not to compete, but to create.
