We were lucky to catch up with Josh Beaton recently and have shared our conversation below.
Josh, 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.
I don’t know that you ever overcome imposter syndrome. You just have to find ways to push past it. I am nervous every time I walk into a room of photographers. I’m worried they will think I’m a fraud. When I started to realize that everyone in the room was feeling that way, it put me at ease. For every person you think is out of your league, there is someone who thinks the same about you. I try to make it a point to talk to the people who intimidate me the most, whether that is in person or through social media. I think the only way to overcome your imposter syndrome is to face it head on. You belong in the room.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a luxury photographer out of Chicago, IL. I’m known for my dark and romantic portraiture. I hope for everyone to have a beautiful and timeless portrait on their walls for generations to come.
I also co-founded a nonprofit with my wife called The Tween Esteem Project. We aim to raise the self esteem and confidence of teens and tweens through the art of portrait photography. We are currently in our second year and we have seen such amazing progress with the participants.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three things that were most impactful in my journey were: 1. Stay true to your art. I have always been an “artist.” I want to constantly be creating. While some photographers love to do headshots, I have never been drawn to them. I want to create beautiful imagery that make jaws drop. It may hurt me from a business perspective, but it feeds my soul.
2. Surround yourself with people who are rooting for you. I am lucky to have a wife and friends who are always in my corner. I know some people are not as fortunate. If you can, make sure your circle is supportive. It really makes a difference.
3. Having a job to help support your photography doesn’t make you a failure. I recently went back to the workforce to supplement my photography business. Running a photography business is expensive. Sometimes (especially in the creative photography field), it is difficult to bring in a ton of big budget clients. I believe in my work, so instead of dropping my prices, I decided to get a job to help with income. It doesn’t mean I’ve failed. In fact, I believe it means I am standing behind my work and that is a success.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I have found that the photography community has been priceless. I have met many people through Instagram, Facebook groups, and conferences. They have become some of my closest friends. I can share my struggles, ask questions, and even help with their questions. It has made such a difference in my career. There are definitely Facebook groups locally to you. I highly suggest joining them and participating in them as much as you can. It is a game changer.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.joshbeaton.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/joshbeatonphoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/joshbeatonphotography
