We recently connected with Esther Flint and have shared our conversation below.
Esther, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is an especially treacherous thing for creatives. At the start of my artistic journey, I never considered I was holding a space I shouldn’t, that I wasn’t qualified enough, or that others had better work. Part of that is because as a child I was so enthralled with my own endeavors, whether flower photography or painting, that I wasn’t worried about measuring up to everyone else’s art. In college I tuned in to a plethora of other artists’ works and used their successes as inspiration to push me further and fuel my thesis exhibit. I looked at others’ art studios, took layout ideas from The Getty Museum, and aesthetic vision from Stephanie Williams (an incredible fashion and editorial photographer in Los Angeles). As I grew into a space where creative work was becoming my career, seeing other people’s journey slowly brought feelings of inadequacy into what used to be solely an energizing thing.
I’ve found that after you take the biggest leaps is when imposter syndrome creeps up the most.
Following my jump into full-time freelance photography I would sometimes end up on Instagram late at night, scrolling through other artist’s pages, critiquing my work against theirs, my age versus their age, my level of expertise with theirs, and consequently, their pricing. This is so detrimental, and quietly drains the joy out of what you’re doing.
I’ve found several ways to overcome feelings of impersonation, but I think the first key step is to realize it, and more specifically—to name it. I strongly believe in abundance, that there is space for everyone to have a seat at the table. I felt I didn’t suffer from imposter syndrome because of this, and yet it affected me in more ways than I realized.
My next move to conquer the feeling that you don’t belong or aren’t qualified, is to view your accomplishments as an outsider would. Look up your own Instagram, scroll through your own website, read through your LinkedIn, and be impressed by your own portfolio. It’s a refreshing boost of confidence and a reminder that we are our own worst critics.
I listen to a good variety of podcasts and have also found it encouraging to hear highly successful creatives share the behind-the-scenes of their journeys. Their stories serve as a reminder that behind the glossy final product are multiple trials, failures before successes, and great grit. (Some of my favorite podcast recommendations are The Goal Digger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher, The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast by Lauryn Bosstick, It Starts With A Click by Olivia Bossert, and Gen Z Girlies Podcast by Madi Baldwin.)
Finally, surrounding myself with genuine friendships and a creative community have been other great ways to combat feelings of “imposterism.” I have recently loved getting connected with other business owners, designers, and photographers at curated collaboration parties in Cincinnati (Socials by MANMAN Studios). Through those events, I met Kelly Croop, a freelance graphic designer who has greatly encouraged me in my life and business and generously shared her advice and expertise over Facetime chats and cups of chai. The right people will remind you of your accomplishments, encourage you to continue growing, and validate you in your career space!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a branding, editorial, and product photographer, passionate about creating unique visual stories that help small businesses grow! I especially love working with women-owned brands and companies that realize the value of a polished and cohesive aesthetic. I also do social media management and design work for several of my clients. I believe a key way to reach and engage with your dream customers is through strong visual marketing. Leveling up the photos on your website, social media channels, and other marketing materials is vital to sharing your mission, products, and services with your community, and with the world.
I greatly enjoy deep-diving into every brand I work with to capture the essence of who they are and then communicate that through their styled photoshoot. It’s incredibly gratifying to see the unique ways clients use their images, from magazine-style boutique newsletters (Ella Jayms in Valparaiso, IN), to artist cards included with original paintings (Katie Nelson Fine Art in Lexington, KY), and so many other creative forms.
Something new I have been expanding into for the past 2 years is photographing products remotely. This is a way for owners to save valuable time, and often release artistic control to someone willing to put the time into learning their brand voice.
I currently live in Lexington, Kentucky, but frequently travel all around Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, in addition to helping remote e-commerce shops. Being involved with small businesses is so special to me because it’s a high level of trust. I find it extremely rewarding to watch brands grow, especially following a visual refresh. I am truly invested in the success of everyone I work with, and you’ll find me checking in on their reviews, sales, email lists and more, beyond photoshoots. It’s a blessing to be able to support both entrepreneurs and more established businesses!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My education in art and business, my style of photography, and my experience in apparel and fashion are three things that have been very influential in my journey. One of my favorite professors in college, Dr. Linda Stratford, is a professor of art history and greatly inspired me by her constant pursuit of education and fresh ideas. She founded her university’s Paris program and that was an impactful part of my education. Being a creative freelancer requires a mix of business skills in addition to art, and I would strongly recommend if you are early on in your journey you should prioritize that.
Style of photography is another area of knowledge I believe distinguishes your work. My goal is always to capture the essence of who or what I am photographing, while also carrying my signature editing and framing style, aesthetic feel, and attention to detail. The highest compliment I can receive is when someone sees my images out and about, and guesses they are mine. It’s personally important to me that my photos feel classic, polished, genuine, and highly styled—but still in an approachable way. If you are pursuing photography (or any business venture), my advice on this would be to cultivate a distinct feel with your branding, product, or services, so people can match you to what you do without seeing a signature.
Also contributing to my personal photography style is my experience in apparel and fashion. I have worked for both small local businesses and for a larger retail store, as well as interning with a stylist and personal shopper in Paris, FR. I am constantly gathering new inspiration from Pinterest, editorial magazines (VOGUE being a trusty coffee-table favorite), and people’s everyday style. Color, proportions, textures, and placement translate beautifully to photography and have directly impacted my work. Improving your skills as a stylist is exciting because there are always opportunities to explore and create new looks.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
One of my goals for the past year, and continuing into this next year, is to collaborate more! I love to connect with models, entrepreneurs, designers, and other creatives to come up with unique concepts and explore new styles. If you are looking to add to your portfolio or work on a passion project, please reach out to me, and I would be thrilled to chat over coffee—virtually or locally. You can find my work at estherellyn.com, on Instagram at @estherellyn.photo, or reach me directly by emailing hello@estherellyn.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.estherellyn.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/estherellyn.photo/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/estherellyn.photo/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/estherellyn/
Image Credits
Esther Ellyn Christina Rickert-Epstein
