Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cathy Lyons. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Cathy, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I’m usually shocked when a creative friend or colleague confides that they have “imposter syndrome” especially when I think they are doing a lovely job at what they do. Although, I’m not sure when that phrase became commonly used, I have experienced the self-doubt and fear that I wasn’t a real photographer.
Unfortunately, the self-doubt started when I blurred the lines between creative self-worth, money and assignments. As a young photographer at the time, I was caught up in comparison, and negative thoughts were intensified by photographic comparison and self-doubt. Then something really beautiful happened: I became a newspaper intern, and I had zero time to contemplate anything. My job was deadline drive, and I was working hard to produce the best possible work I could. I was previsualizing pictures, consulting other photographers, and generally listening and observing a lot. Simultaneously, I learned to accept when I had a picture that was mediocre as I saw it as a stepping stone to something better, and consequently, I developed some reciliency and confidence because I also experienced “front page” type success. I kept my cameras with me all the time, I was open to new assignments, and I was excited about taking pictures.
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’ve been carving out time to noursih my creative spirit. Mainly, I’ve been experimenting using photos with different mediums like fabric and wood in addition to alternative processes like cyanotype, sun printing and encaustic painting. This has helped me build community with other artists, and I’ve been inspired to see what all kinds of artists are making like writers, musicians, and painters.
Like any artistic journey, I sometimes story board, draw in my journal, or take long walks to dream about what I have observed, and what I would like to make. Most of the time, when I am making something that fits, it feels very peaceful like an old favorite pair of jeans, but not always. Sometimes, I can’t sleep and I’m frustrated with the process. That’s when going back to playing and having fun with it, or just letting it rest.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Be a brave and curious learner.
Lean into working hard at your craft.
Never give up.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
“The Decisive Moment” a very gorgeous photographic body of work by Henri-Cartier Bresson, a twentieth-century, French photographer. Bresson’s pictures are evidence that our head, heart and eye can align to capture the decisive moment. That very beautiful idea of head, heart and eye alignment has been one of the biggest influences on my photographic work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lyonsphotography.com
- Instagram: @bearswatergirl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lyonsphotographyinc
Image Credits
All images by Cathy A. Lyons/Lyons Photography, Inc.
