We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sara Waterman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sara, 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.
This is a great question! I spent years battling imposter syndrome. I am pretty much entirely self taught. I learned photography thru trail and error and hours and hours of YouTube a night. I would almost feel guilty when people would pay me thousands of dollars to photograph their event. I would work so hard, and edit to the point of ridiculous. Overcoming imposter syndrome was a process, that a had ALOT to do with people’s willingness to pay me. Compliments are easily given, but if someone votes to choose you with their wallet. They mean it. Once I started to make a living creating my art. I knew it was official. I was a legit 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”m a portrait and event photographer. I love what I do. Truly, I have not set an alarm in years because when I wake up “I get to work” That feeling is special and very rare. I don’t take that for granted a single day. I love creating art for my clients, I love making people happy and look amazing, I love the challenge of photography. I walk into new environments, I observe and I use my creative mind to create a look that is uniquely mine. Over the years my business has grown so quickly, I can’t service all my clients. So I created a new division. SWP Event Photography to help service my corporate clients, I am in the process of building of fantastic team of experienced photographers to help facilitate this division. It’s off to a great start this past 1.5 years.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
“Grit”. I work harder than anyone I know. I remember years ago on my first day of my first sales job (selling advertising) I asked one of the senior reps “what’s the secret” I will never forget he said “just work harder than everyone else” sure you have to work smart. But be all in when you’re working! That advice is true for all areas of life.
“Just Do it” Nike had it right. Life is about action. Don’t hope, don’t wish, don’t drink 4x glasses of wine and come up with grand ideas and trips you “should do:. Wake up present and do it. Don’t wait for life to present a “good time” they will NEVER come. Those that win, do.
“Don’t lie” Everyone lies, every single person, but the less you lie, the more you live a life that is as close to your most amazing honest, free life. You can tell lies to yourself too! Don’t do it, be brutally honest. It will serve you well.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Recently “The 5am club” Wake up, and get it done the first 2 hours of the day. Magic will happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sarawatermanphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarawaterman_stagram/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarawatermanphotography/
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/fRRliR_JqjvAlfeePIO-uA
Image Credits
Sara Waterman Photography
