We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Linsley Schneider. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Linsley below.
Linsley, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I’m not sure I will ever completely overcome imposter syndrome in this industry. This is such a common struggle among photographers. There are so many outlets where we can share our work and also get inspired, but unfortunately also not feel good enough or like we are actually a professional in the field. I have spent years in my career feeling like I am just playing and pretending to be a photographer. Regardless of the fact that my business is registered, insured, and I pay taxes, somehow I still felt like I am not really a “photographer,” just a girl with a camera. I think over the course of time and repeatedly putting myself out into the world, sharing my work, and forcing myself to write “Photographer” on questionnaires that ask for my profession, I have slowly grown into accepting that even though I may have insecurities, I am a professional photographer. I am not only going through the motions of doing what a photographer does- capture moments, using editing software, educating myself in the field; my heart is also completely in my art. My clients see that. They hire me for what I can give them. No matter what anyone else is doing or creating, I am valid in this space. I am not just playing a part. I am actually embodying my version of the title “photographer.”
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a family photographer serving the families of North Carolina. I have a candid and authentic style of shooting. My goal is to see each family as they see each other and capture that- those small details, the dynamics of the relationships, the love that grows between them, the season of life they are in. Each family is so different and has a different story to tell and when they choose me to freeze their loved ones’ moments in time, I do not take that honor lightly. It so special that I can work with people to beautifully represent them and that the end result is something that they can display in their homes and pass down generations. I love that my artistic perspective is in each gallery I deliver.
Since opening my business 9 years ago I have also fallen in love with meeting other artists in the industry and connecting over education and sharing time firing our passions together. I host shootout for other photographers to gain content with styled shoots and for them to find community within the industry. I also offer mentoring for photographers that can include anything from shooting, to business, workflow, styling, or editing. I have loved the education side of photography and hope to continue to grow that part of business in the coming year.
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?
Top three most impactful skills in my journey- learning light, learning skills to grow a profitable business and not allowing burnout to close my doors, and finding my own voice in my photography.
If you are just starting out- technically, you must learn light. Light trumps all. I have trained my eyes to see light differently now. This affects the look and quality of a photo. Once you know light, the other technicalities of photography come easier- focus, skin tones, exposure triangle.
I highly recommend taking classes on not only the artistic side of photography, but also how to run a profitable business. Many photography businesses fail because photographers burnout and are not making any profit from their hours of hard work.
I have found that the best way to gain clients and stand out among the sea of photographers is to hone in on your own artistic voice instead of trying to replicate someone else’s work. This is tremendously difficult to do when feel so inspired by other photographers and want to do exactly what you see. Taking time to truly find yourself in your work will set you apart!
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I have such a wonderful village of not only family and friends, but peers in the photography community. If I had to choose someone to call the “most helpful” in my journey, it would be my husband Justin. From the beginning he not only believed in me, but encouraged me to overcome my fears and put my work out there for others to see. He gave me space to learn and took on home responsibilities so that I could travel to mentors and workshops and shoot families and newborns. He supported me making big purchases for my business and has taken over the business side of things, as that is not one of my strengths. This whole photography venture truly is a joint effort and has been something that we enjoy working on together. It would not be nearly what it is today if not for him!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.linsleyschneiderphotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/linsleyschneiderphotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/linsleyschneiderphotography
Image Credits
Photo of Linsley: Stormy Solis Photography
