We recently connected with Kezziah Casias Green and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kezziah , 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.
Imposter syndrome is something I have always struggled with as an artist. For nearly 15 years, photography has been a captivating creative pursuit for me. I began taking photos with my laptop webcam in High School (because I could not afford a camera at the time), and over the years slowly worked my way up as a self-taught portrait and wedding photographer. For the longest time, however, the title “photographer” felt out of reach. It was a word that held an exorbitant amount of pressure and responsibility. Using this title to define myself always felt like a false pretense that I could not seem to relate or live up to. It was as if claiming that label came with a set of external expectations; a potential for failure if I didn’t measure up. For years, I instead used the phrase “I do photography.” As a result, I unwittingly built a wall around myself, a shield against perceived shortcomings. During this time however I also built a successful photography business that allowed me to create art while also supporting my family. Though I never received any professional training or education, I began to do more and more weddings, portraits and events, and in 2017 I officially started my photography business, Just Smile Photography NM. I was actively serving my community through art, which was something I always hoped I could do. In hindsight, there was so much value in what I was doing, yet I repeatedly failed to put any value in myself.
A turning point for me came when I began to embrace the idea of jumping into my creative endeavors with the intention of finding purpose instead of validation. Once I began creating unapologetically, and honing my craft without comparison, that self-imposed barrier that had held me back for so long started to diminish. Comparison is a constant siren song in the creative world. There is a continuously shifting flow of pressure from peers, colleagues, and influencers, and it’s easy to get swept away, and lose sight of your unique voice and vision.
The truth is, imposter syndrome might always lurk in the corner of my mind if I keep chasing external validation. But, when I focus on my own methods, and when I own my creative process with confidence, the imposter residing in my mind loses its power. There’s freedom in knowing I don’t have to mimic anyone else. I can simply explore my passions and create in my own unique way, allowing me to be the most authentic version of myself.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Kezziah Casias Green, and I am the name behind the lens at Just Smile Photography NM. I am a New Mexico native who is truly in love with the “Land of Enchantment,” making it a constant source of inspiration in my work. Capturing the beauty of this state, and the people within has been one of the greatest rewards of my career (though my intrigue with photography and other forms of art began much earlier). Capturing a glimpse of humanity is one of my greatest passions, whether it is through photography or other forms of creative expression.
For the past 7+ years, Just Smile Photography NM has been not only growing, but evolving. A few years ago, a whole new dynamic was created when my incredibly talented sister, Capriza Casias, decided to join the team (well, the two of us are the team). Her passion and enthusiasm for videography began to allow us to tell even more beautiful, dynamic stories for our clients, ensuring those memories truly came to life through both photography and film.
Together with my “creative partner in crime,” we embarked on a new creative journey into filmmaking at the end of 2022, thus resulting in the establishment of our unofficial production company, Liminal Lines Pictures. This wasn’t entirely uncharted territory for either of us, but it was definitely a sudden change in direction. Years of theater experience, and background acting provided a basic foundation for me, while Capriza had long harbored a passion for film.
On a whim, fueled by pure creative energy, we ventured into a short film project with… absolutely no script! Just a shared desire to create. We had heard about a house located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where a certain popular show had been filmed. It was now being rented out as an AirBnB. With no game plan in mind, we reached out to the owners and asked if they would be open to letting us work on a project on their property. They graciously agreed, and allowed us to explore, and use their home for our “project.”
Three weeks before filming was set to start, we did an open casting call for several actors to portray characters for two stories that had not yet been written; not a single word. And that, as it turned out, was the perfect starting point for us. After years of photographing and filming weddings, and dealing with all the stress that comes along with them, we felt (mostly) prepared to work under this immense, albeit self-imposed pressure. During the three weeks leading up to filming we worked tirelessly on our scripts (staying up until around 4:00 am every night). Somehow we were able to pull it off, bringing together an amazing team of over 30 people in our cast and crew that helped us bring our vision to life. We produced two short films in one day. It was one of the most incredible experiences! Since working on those two projects we have decided to take a momentary break from our business and refocus our energy on simply creating for the sake of creating; allowing us to return to our roots and find purpose in what we are most passionate about.
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?
Looking back on my journey, three key factors stand out as instrumental to my success:
Building a Strong Foundation:
Surround yourself with talented and supportive people. Seek out mentors, collaborators, and communities aligned with your goals. Network actively, attend industry events, and collaborate with like-minded individuals. These connections open doors, offer guidance, and fuel your growth and creativity.
Embrace the Journey:
Don’t wait for perfection. Take risks, experiment, and learn from your experiences. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Focus on continuous learning and building on your existing skills. Confidence (and sometimes a healthy amount of delusion) is key to attracting opportunities and overcoming creative roadblocks. Remember, success is a journey, not a destination.
Growth Mindset and Resilience:
Sometimes in order to achieve greatness, we must embrace failure. View challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn. Embrace a growth mindset, be open to others’ input, and strive to improve with each new endeavor. Rejection is a part of any creative journey, but it doesn’t diminish your value or talent. Instead of focusing on the idea that the answer might be no, instead change the narrative to “but what if…” Most of the time, when the answer is no, it’s not actually a setback, but rather a change in direction.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
We’re always interested in collaborating with kindred spirits to embark on new creative journeys with! Here at Just Smile Photography NM and Liminal Lines Pictures, we’re fuelled by a passion for capturing moments and crafting captivating stories. We believe collaboration is the spark that ignites and inspires much of our work.
If you are a fellow creative who shares our passion and interests, we’d love to connect with you!
Simply reach out to us via email and let’s start a conversation! If you are interested in collaborating with us on future projects, you can reach us at justsmilephotographynm@gmail.com or liminallinespictures@gmail.com
We look forward to connecting with you, and potentially bringing shared visions to life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.justsmilephotographynm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justsmilephotographynm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/info.justsmilephotography
Image Credits
Kevin Guevara Photography
