We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Pamela Hoth. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Pamela below.
Pamela, 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.
Honestly, I’m not sure you really ever do! Even though I take great pride in my work always trying to learn new things, improve my craft and do things that make my clients come back year after year. I think when you truly love what you do you never feel like you’re “good enough” and you always want to be better. I love seeing other creatives viewpoints and use that to increase my awareness as well. I think when you get “too big for your britches” as they say is when you’ll stop feeling like an imposter, but I also feel like that’s when you lose the love of what you do. I always know I will do my best, BUT I can obsess over whether the client will think so, I’m always working on that. Did I meet or hopefully exceed what they were expecting? On the one hand I REALLY want to not feel like an imposter, but on the other hand I want to keep that creative fire burning!!
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?
My name is Pam, and I am a portrait photographer in St. Louis, MO, USA. I get to freeze time, grab that moment and make it count. I get to create the pieces of art that show YOU off. I celebrate excitement, I collect joy, I curate collections of moments. My main focus is on high school seniors but I happily work with individuals and families for portraits also.
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?
Definitely perseverance as a quality, composition as a skill and knowing how to work with people as an area of knowledge. These have helped me immensely as I navigate business. I have always been the person that random people approach in stores and chat up, or while waiting around. I can typically always find something I can relate to when it comes to people so being a conversationalist comes naturally! Perseverance is a necessity because you get passed up on a LOT for other photographers. Sometimes you have to take the “L” and keep it moving. Comparison is the thief of joy for sure. You can eat yourself alive comparing yourself to others. Your confidence can take a hit sometimes when you’re not chosen but you just have to know there’s something out there better that’s waiting! Learning basic composition in art has been so helpful in creating amazing art, it really makes the difference. The other details are learned best by mistakes!
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
I’m trying to get more involved with area high schools and their sports teams to move into teams and “Sportraits” in addition to high school senior portraits. Most have people they already use or have been referred so it is very hard to get in the door! Trying it get my first team to give me a chance is not easy! Gaining trust is very important and I have to spend the time gaining that from them. I’m trying to get my face seen more around the schools (without being a weirdo!) and directly trying to reach students, coaches, and parents. Hopefully it works! PS – If you know someone who needs sports portraits…… 😉 You know where to find me!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pamelamichellephotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pamelamichellephoto
- Facebook: www,facebook.com/pamelamichellephoto
