We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Richard Maneen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Richard, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Building confidence can be a tedious task for some creatives, since it is a mix of trial and error and self-discovery. Starting out, I viewed every shot as horrible and I was constantly comparing myself to other photographers. But, I learned to embrace my style and personality, viewing my growth as a journey rather than a one time mission.
Sharing my work for feedback was a game-changer. It was hard at first, but constructive criticism really helped open my eyes to what I needed to improve on. Setting both professional and personal goals and realizing my self-worth wasn’t tied to perfect photos made a huge difference. Photography became my way of expressing myself, beyond the pursuit of being seen as perfect. Being able to surround myself with friends who pushed me to be the best version of myself definitely played a part in helping me embrace myself as a creative and an individual.
Confidence in life is about embracing imperfections, evaluating feedback, celebrating small wins, finding a supportive community, and understanding your value goes beyond what others think of you. It’s not conforming yourself to be liked by others; it’s about embracing your personal journey.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m Richard, a professional photographer based in Florida who specializes in automotive and aviation photography.
I hail from Atlanta, where I spent twenty years of my life. After graduating college with a degree in Digital Media and Design, I decided to switch things up and move to the endless summer state of Florida. Since adjusting to beach side living, I have realized that I will constantly miss trekking through a large city. When not behind the camera, you can find me watching college lacrosse, skateboarding or finding the best local restaurant to grab a bite.
Photography has been my passion for sixteen years and I can’t wait to see where it continues to take me. Along my career I have learned that uniting with both creatives and clients who share the same end goal, reinforced by transparent and concise communication, will yield an end product everyone can appreciate.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Resilience has been a huge factor in writing my story, helping me navigate the ebb and flow ingrained in photography and creative work as a whole. My advice for newcomers would be to understand that setbacks are stepping stones; learn from them and come back stronger.
A quality I always try to work on is seeing the world exactly as it stands in front of you. It’s not just about seeing what’s going on around you, but truly embracing the details that the world provides. To those starting out, try your best to be present in the moment and embrace the details; they’re what make your photos uniquely yours.
Curiosity has been a huge factory in fueling my career growth. Whether experimenting with new techniques or exploring different photography styles, stepping outside of my comfort zone helps me grow as an individual. Try your best to be a sponge and absorb, learn, and surround yourself with people you can learn from.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
First and foremost, I give myself a break. Whether it’s stepping away from the computer for a few minutes or just staring into space, disconnecting helps clear my mind.
I always try my best to tackle projects one step at a time. Breaking up my work into smaller, more achievable tasks helps me feel that I am getting work down and motivates me to see the project all the way through. Prioritize and conquer.
Talking about my feelings works wonders. Whether it’s with a friend, or a family member, expressing what’s going on in my head puts things into perspective. It’s like sharing the load, and the support I get is often a game-changer.
Embracing imperfection has been huge for me. Not everything has to be flawless, and it’s fine if I can’t do it all. Try to cut yourself some slack. Take a deep breath, and remember that you’re doing better than you think.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rpmphotographyinc.com
- Instagram: @richardm.cr3
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-maneen
