We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maybeline Despagne a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Maybeline, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
In March 2011, I purchased my first DSLR camera to capture my newborn daughter’s precious moments. As I started taking photos, I became the designated photographer for my family events, and my skills improved over time. Even though my friends and family encouraged me to pursue photography professionally, I always had a nagging feeling that I wasn’t good enough. I admired several photographers, but I thought of photography as a complicated art, and I felt like I didn’t have the necessary skills since I didn’t go to school for it.
It took me seven years to finally muster up the courage to become a professional photographer. However, my lack of confidence held me back, and I priced my services low, and avoided working with experienced photographers and models, fearing that they would see me as unskilled. As I progressed in my career, I realized that practice makes perfect, and I started to change my mindset. I began to give myself more credit for my accomplishments and appreciated my growth. I welcomed both compliments and suggestions, and I dedicated more time to perfecting my craft. I challenged myself and got out of my comfort zone.
Now, as a successful studio owner, I enjoy sharing my work and tips with other photographers. Despite still being my biggest critic, I take pride in my accomplishments and have learned that believing in oneself is the first step toward achieving success.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Maybeline Despagne, and I have been operating as a professional photographer under the name Maybeline Photography for four years. I stumbled upon photography as a profession quite unexpectedly. When I was six months pregnant with my third child, I bought a backdrop and a stand to take my own maternity photos. I joked online that I was becoming a professional photographer, but people took it seriously and started booking me for photoshoots. I decided to give it a try, and to my surprise, I found that I enjoyed it and was good at it.
With practice and time, I started building a strong customer base and began exploring different styles of photography. I discovered that I love creative, conceptual, and editorial photoshoots where I can express myself and be unique and different.
As I started getting booked more frequently than I anticipated, I saw an opportunity to turn my side hustle into a bigger business. In October 2020, my husband and I opened Pix City Studio, a photography studio located in Hollywood, Florida. The studio is loaded with props and different backgrounds, allowing me to create many sets and concepts for my clients. During their session, clients get to choose their sets and props. My goal is to connect with my clients and make them feel comfortable while I capture them in their natural state.
Not only do I offer photography services at Pix City Studio, but I also make it available for rental. Through this, I have met many inspiring photographers who I have been following since the beginning of my photography journey. Many of them have rented my studio, and I have received advice and tutorials. I have also helped many upcoming photographers with their photoshoots, sets, and concepts. I enjoy every aspect of my business and my career, and I look forward to improving my skills and continuing my photography journey.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As a photographer, I believe that creativity, determination, and patience are the essential skills and qualities that are crucial for my growth in this field. Being a creative person, I always strive to create unique and different sets that stand out from the rest. This skill has helped me to gain recognition and establish my name in the industry. However, I am also determined to continue pushing myself to improve and perfect my craft. I believe that with hard work and dedication, I can achieve my goals and take my photography to the next level. At the same time, I understand the importance of patience in this field. Photography is a slow and gradual process that requires a lot of time and effort. I am willing to put in the necessary time and effort to achieve my goals and create stunning images that leave a lasting impression on my clients and audience.
It’s important to allow yourself enough time to develop and avoid rushing the process. When I first started my photography journey, I felt like I had a long way to go before I could produce images that matched those of my role models. However, I decided to take it one step at a time and gradually worked on my weaknesses. Even after five years of pursuing photography, I still see areas where I can improve, but I am proud of my progress and accomplishments so far. Pursuing a career in the creative arts can be challenging, but it’s crucial to remain true to your vision and not give up. Embrace your unique perspective and style, and don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. Seek inspiration from your surroundings, whether it’s your environment or personal experiences. Collaborate with other creatives and learn from them, but always stay authentic to yourself. Lastly, believe in yourself, trust your instincts, and never let anyone’s opinion discourage you. Remember that your work has the power to inspire and bring about change, so keep creating and let your passion and creativity shine.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I start feeling overwhelmed, my first instinct is to take a step back and figure out what’s causing it. Generally, I tend to feel overwhelmed when I have a backlog of work or too many requests to handle in a short amount of time. For instance, I’m often asked by clients to come up with unique and innovative photoshoot concepts, which can sometimes leave me feeling stuck when I run out of ideas.
In such situations, I give myself some breathing room to focus on the most pressing tasks while also being mindful of my self-care needs. It’s important to remember to take breaks and not let work consume our lives. To achieve a better work-life balance, I’ve been striving to strike a balance between my professional and personal commitments.
As for my creative blocks, I try to experiment with new techniques and ideas by taking on personal projects, trying out new equipment, and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I also find it useful to collaborate with other creative professionals or seek feedback from peers to gain fresh perspectives and overcome creative hurdles.
Overall, analyzing the source of my stress, taking breaks, and prioritizing self-care have been instrumental in helping me manage overwhelm and achieve a better work-life balance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maybelinephotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maybelinephotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maybelinephotography
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@maybelinephotography
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pixcity https://www.pinterest.com/maybelinephotography/
Image Credits
Maybeline Photography
