Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cathy Alice Kuhlman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Cathy Alice, 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.
To be honest, I’m not sure I’ll ever completely overcome imposter syndrome. I’ve always been the quiet, shy one who never liked raising her hand. I was comfortable being the follower and not the leader, but I loved learning how to do new things. I grew up with a mom who crafted. She taught me how to do needle point and cross stitch and use a glue gun! I took knitting lessons from a senior neighbor who lived down the street and sewing lessons from another lady in the neighborhood. I loved all these things, but I needed instructions! I couldn’t create things myself but with a desire and some instruction I was good to go.
Let me jump forward to being an adult and mom of three teenage boys and those crafty desires changed to scrapbooking which lead to photography. I wanted better pictures to put in those scrapbooks. It was actually a scrapbooking class that lead to an online photography class. One class lead to two and then more. When those teenage boys didn’t enjoy being my models I turned to flowers. They don’t talk back, refuse or complain! By now I was getting serious and people were commenting on the work I was posting on social media. I continued to pick up my camera on a daily basis to hone my craft. I joined online forums where I got brave enough to share my work. My first online forum was an amazingly positive experience! The people truly encouraged each other and me! It wasn’t all roses though. If something could and should be improved upon they were honest with their critique! I respected that and worked hard to learn the concepts. I jumped around with genres, settling on macro and nature. Having a camera in my hands allowed me to slow down and explore things I used to take for granted. Sunrises. Sunsets. Beautiful landscapes. The tiny details of a flower and everything in between. I was appreciating nature so much more with a camera around my neck.
Once I more consistent in my work I decided to apply to be a Pro in an online forum called “Clicking Moms.” I didn’t have a reason to do this other than I felt like if my set got accepted, I would prove to myself that I could do it. I had to pull together a 150 image portfolio which was assessed by a panel of judges using a rubric across seven different standards. This was a daunting task. I took over a year to pull those images together, culling and reshooting, editing and culling again. There were times I wanted to give up. I didn’t believe I was good enough. Once in a while, though, there was little voice in the back of my head that said “but what have you got to lose? A lot of people don’t make it the first time, or the second! Just go for it!” Finally, after repeated attempts to down play that those voices, I listened and I applied. To my surprise and delight I made it on the first try! This was the first step towards believing in myself and my abilities!
As my photography journey continued, I got interested in a specialty lens for cameras made by Lensbaby. I loved using one or two of their products and started posting those images on my social media feeds. Most of the response I got from followers was uplifting, but there were times, to be honest, when I was wary of those comments. . I would wonder if people were just trying to make me feel good or be kind. That nagging doubt continued. A big part of that doubt came from the fact that I veering off the course that most photographers take. Almost nothing in my images was in focus. Blur became my mantra. Using selective focus to tell a story or draw the eye to tiny part of a flower felt empowering to me, but was not widely accepted by many photographers.
And if you remember my need for directions as a child? There were no directions now. I just had to pick up my camera and go find something inspiring that would allow me to create art. Sure there were techniques I could try or learn but I had to find the subject to make it work. Most of the photographers I knew in my local editing club really didn’t get it. They weren’t mean about it but it’s more fun to talk shop with like minded people. I started spending time online with people who loved blur as much as I did. Once I found my people, those photographers who supported me and my style, it became easier for me to stop doubting myself. It was comment that I used, repeatedly, while raising my sons that stopped me in my tracks one day. I had come across a book I had given one of my boys in which I written “Believe in yourself.” Three simple words, with a powerful message. How I could raise my sons to believe in themselves if I didn’t believe in myself? Talk about imposter syndrome!
This was the turning point in my journey. I did a lot of soul searching after reading that. If I could encourage my boys to believe in themselves, then I needed to be the example. They were mostly grown at this point, but I still wanted them to see that it’s never too late to do something you love doing. Photography was not a business for me but it was more than a hobby. It was a passion. I tried to be more thoughtful about what I wanted out of my photography and less worried about what others thought. I, eventually, applied to become an ambassador for Lensbaby and was accepted! Now I had a new purpose when sharing my work! I also found a whole new community that supported what I what I enjoying. I am still in awe when Lensbaby selects one of images to post or blog posts to publish! There are still those people, some who are close to me, who don’t get why I do what I do, but that has become much less important to me now that I found a place to share what I do with people who understand!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Currently I am a retired special education paraprofessional. I’d like say that photography is hobby but it’s more than that for me. When I retired from my local school district I wanted to work with people in some way and what better way than sharing something I love! Being an ambassador for Lensbaby gives me that outlet to share and teach new techniques that allow photographers to get out of their comfort zone and grow. I occasionally teach workshops locally and have just finished one with my local camera club. I will be doing an online workshop with two friends in December. Writing informational or educational blogs for Lensbaby is another active way I have of sharing my work and helping others learn more about the product. A side benefit of being an ambassador, I am able to share my Lensbaby affiliate link and discount code. It’s a behind the scenes way of getting paid to do what I love!
This is a great life balance for me now. I’m enjoying the slower pace of retired life but “working” when I want to and when it fits my schedule. When time allows, I can head out to a local park with my camera or travel a bit and take in the beauty of nature wherever I am!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back I feel that the three most important assets that played a role in my journey were a good work ethic, a desire to be something bigger than myself and having an open mind. Life was very different when I was growing up. We worked for everything. I was delivering newspapers at the age of 10. Babysitting and mowing lawns at 12. I received an allowance from my parents but if I wanted something extra I had to fund it. I come from a large family. When I was 10 and again at 14 my parents gave us two new siblings. I loved taking care of my brothers and learned early on how much work a baby can be! Knowing that I had to work for what I wanted was very helpful when I had to pull together that 150 image portfolio to become a Click Pro Elite photographer.
As parents, my husband and I always tried to instill a sense of community with our boys. If they were playing sports, we tried to support the team by coaching or helping to run the snack bar. When they were in Scouts, my husband became a den leader and I was the treasurer. Those activities don’t happen without people volunteering and we felt it important to teach that lesson. When children are growing up they can often get stuck in “it’s all about Me” attitude. We wanted them to understand from a young age, that it’s not all about them. It wasn’t all about us. It’s was bigger than that. Doing workshops and presentations is a way I have found to continue to being helpful and supporting the activities I participate in. Sharing my knowledge about Lensbaby or photography is continuing that journey.
Having an open mind is something I’m still working on. It wasn’t until an in-service training I did while working that I considered how many ways in which I wasn’t willing to see things differently. This professional development class on an growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset became more than a professional development class. I took this into my personal life and tried to live with more of a growth mindset. I truly began to start saying “but what if..” and “well maybe…”. Finding a love in the blur of Lensbaby when it wasn’t supported by many that I knew allowed me to use that “growth mindset” thought process I was working on! I’m still a work in progress and I’m ok with that!
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Finding enough time in my day to do everything I want to do can be challenging. I’ve heard several retired friends say that they don’t know know how they had time to work! It’s so true! I love having my camera in my hands as often as possible but I have family that I want and need to spend time with. My father is 93 and while he’s in assisted living I still want to do as much for him as I can. Taking him to doctors appointments, going grocery shopping for him, and being his tech support (He’s working on getting his memoirs published!) are just a few of the things I’m able to help with! I know he won’t be with us forever and I want not to regret not spending this time with him. I also have a brother with Parkinson’s that will be needing support and an aging mother-in-law that requires more help. I’m expecting two grandchildren next year and you know, that I’m going be dividing my time even more. I’ve always felt that family comes first, but finding the balance isn’t always easy. I also have several home improvement projects that have been waiting until I have more time. I am slowly crossing some of them off my list but I’ve added more than I’ve deleted! To help compensate for some of that missing time I have had to cut back on picking up my camera or spend less time on social media, even if that means I lessoning my Lensbaby presence. I don’t look at any of these things as negatives though. They are all “good problems” to have. I still have my father, brother, and mother-in-law. I’ll have two more babies to love and my camera is not going to walk away! It will be there when I get back to it. Keeping life in perspective is paramount.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cathykuhlmanphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathyalicephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathy.kuhlman
- Other: My Lensbaby Portfolio is here: www.cathyalicephotography.com
Lensbaby Discount Code: WKUHLMAN
