We were lucky to catch up with Jane Iskra recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jane, 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.
Overcoming imposter syndrome is a long journey, but as a photographer with over 15 years of experience, I’ve found some effective ways to manage it. It’s normal to feel like an imposter in a creative field, especially when you’re surrounded by talented peers. One of the best strategies is to limit social media use. As a photographer, it’s hard not to be on social media, but cutting down on time spent on TikTok and Instagram can help stop the comparison game. Try filling your Instagram feed with content that inspires you or makes you happy, like hiking, traveling, cute reels with animals, or home decoration. Another helpful approach is to take smaller steps: set and celebrate achieving smaller goals, journal your successes, and focus on your journey rather than others’ achievements. This can help build your confidence over time and overcome the imposter syndrome.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’ve been photographing weddings for more than 15 years already. Telling this means, that it was the passion of all my life. I started my photography career pretty early – when I was 17. The first thing I started with was girl’s portraits, who soon became brides! This is how I started my wedding photography career – it was an evolution.
Nad I loved doing that! What can be more joyful and fulfilling, than photographing happy people on their special day?!
A couple of years led me to photograph really big, luxurious weddings – but eventually, I decided it wasn’t for me and I started doing more intimate weddings and elopements. It was very important for me to stay inspired and truly love what I do. I started shooting elopements all around the world – starting from Bali, Iceland, Italian Dolomites, Norway, and many other spectacular destinations.
I’ve become an international expert and now I’m specializing in crafting unique elopement experiences for adventurous couples. So now I’m not only a photographer but also an elopement guide and planner. Seeing the happy sparkling eyes of the couples I work with is one of the reasons motivating me to do my thing.
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?
Resilience: Being able to bounce back from setbacks and stay motivated during tough times is essential. Resilience helps you learn from mistakes, deal with rejection, and keep going.
Patience: Photography often requires waiting for the perfect moment or dealing with difficult situations. Patience helps you stay calm and deliver your best work no matter what. This patience is a key part of being professional.
Innovative Thinking and Constant Learning: Always looking for new ideas and trying different techniques can make your work stand out. Embrace new and unconventional approaches to keep your photography exciting and fresh. Being open to learning and adapting helps you stay current with trends and meet clients’ needs.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
“Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen” by Donald Miller is a book that has played an important role in many small business owners’ development. This book focuses on the power of clear, compelling storytelling to attract and retain customers.
One valuable nugget is the concept of positioning the client as the hero and yourself as the guide. This approach ensures that your marketing and communications resonate deeply with potential clients, emphasizing their needs and desires while demonstrating how your services help them achieve their goals. Another key takeaway is the importance of simplicity in your messaging, ensuring that it is easy for clients to understand what you offer and why it benefits them. Lastly, Miller’s emphasis on creating a clear call to action helps convert potential clients into actual clients by guiding them through the steps they need to take to work with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iskraphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jane_iskra/
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