We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ryan Hull a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ryan, 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 wasn’t a linear journey for me, it was more like navigating a winding path with ups and downs. The first thing I did was to keep a visual diary of my achievements and all the milestones I’d hit in my career. The easiest way is to upload all your photos to Amazon Prime Photos or Google Photos then watch the daily recap. Regularly seeing these, coupled with positive feedback from my clients, was a real boost, confirming that I deserved to be in the space I was in.
Perhaps one of the most important changes I made, though, was shifting my mindset about social media. In the age of Instagram, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparing your work with that of others, especially with those popular accounts that seem to have everything just perfect. I had to remind myself that these are carefully curated highlights, not the day-to-day reality. The only person you should be comparing yourself to is your past self.
I decided to focus on my unique style, my vision, and my growth as a photographer. Instead of viewing others as competition, I tried to learn from their work and, most importantly, avoid comparing my progress to theirs.
Also, I learned to embrace failure. Instead of fearing it, I started viewing it as an opportunity for growth and learning. Every setback became a lesson, and with each lesson, I honed my skills and became a better photographer.
Ultimately, it’s crucial to remember that imposter syndrome is not uncommon, many of us go through it. Recognizing it, understanding it, and taking steps to mitigate its effects is part of the journey. It’s not a destination, but with each day, I’m more confident in my craft and less swayed by the doubts and fears that imposter syndrome stirs up.
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?
Thank you for providing me the opportunity to share a bit about what I do.
As a photographer, I often tell people that my favorite subject isn’t a person, place, or thing – it’s emotions. From documenting couples’ love-filled journeys on their wedding day to encapsulating the creative process of entrepreneurs launching their ventures. However, recently I’ve been drawn into a whole new world of storytelling through landscape design photography.
Landscape and hardscape design is a fascinating blend of artistry, architecture, and nature. Each project is unique, showcasing creativity, attention to detail, and a profound connection to the environment. As a photographer, I find it incredibly rewarding to document this process, to capture these one-of-a-kind designs and the stories they tell about the people who create them.
I noticed that many landscape and hardscape companies have been doing monumental work, creating these expansive and intricate projects, yet the representation of their work was often limited to shaky cell phone videos or hastily taken photos. I saw a need here. These designs are the culmination of months of hard work, skill, and creativity and they deserved to be showcased in a manner that did justice to their grandeur. That’s where I decided to step in, using my skills in photography to capture these projects in their true essence.
My brand is about authenticity and an obsessive attention to detail. I believe that good photography forms a connection between the viewer and the subject. Every time I press the shutter, I aim to capture not just an image, but a moment, a feeling, and a story.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Technical Proficiency: This covers knowledge about camera gear, understanding light, composition, editing techniques, etc. My advice to beginners would be to take time to learn the craft thoroughly. It’s not just about having the best gear, but knowing how to use what you have to its full potential. Don’t be daunted by the technical aspects. There are ample resources online, from tutorials to community forums, that can guide you. Remember, every pro was once a beginner. I learned from Youtube.
Understanding Emotion:
Photography is as much about emotion as it is about aesthetics. It’s about capturing moments and telling stories. I would advise new photographers to observe and learn. Watch people, understand body language, and anticipate moments. This is especially crucial in wedding and portrait photography. You can often see a photo before it happens.
Perseverance:
Photography, like any other art form, requires persistence and patience. It’s not just about the occasional spark of creativity, but consistently working, learning, and improving. There will be days when you question your abilities, but remember, growth happens over time. My advice would be to not get disheartened by initial setbacks. Keep shooting, keep experimenting, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself.
Here are three other tips that really helped me in the beginning:
Shoot Eye-Level: Connect with your subjects by shooting at their eye level. It personalizes your photos.
Straighten Your Horizon: Keep horizons level for a professional, balanced look.
Invest in Prime Lens: Upgrade from kit lenses to a prime lens, like the 50mm f/1.8, for sharper, higher quality photos.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I grab my film camera and just shoot for myself. There’s no client, no brief, just me and the world around me. It’s about rekindling that pure joy of capturing moments, like when I first fell in love with photography.
The methodical process of using film, with its finite number of frames, forces me to slow down and deliberate on each shot. Plus, I often put on some lofi beats in my earbuds, the laid-back rhythm melting away the noise of the day.
My advice for anyone feeling overburdened is to find that thing you do purely for the love of it, that anchors you back to why you started. For me, it’s film photography and music. Your sanctuary could be entirely different, but it’s crucial to find it and retreat there when things get too loud.
Take a peek at my social media and you’ll see a ton of film photos. I’m not all about having the perfect, curated feed – that’s something I focus on for my clients. For me, I post what I love, whether it fits the ‘look’ of my feed or not.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ryanhullphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanhullphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanhullphotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ryanhullphotography/
