We recently connected with Zion McKnight and have shared our conversation below.
Zion, 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.
Imposter syndrome for me is a feeling I felt when I felt inadeuqate. When I first got into photography I was simply doing it for fun. As I continued to grow in it I began connecting with other photographers/ talented individuals that actually studied photography or had some sort of background with the medium. Hearing these peers use photograhy terms and discuss different principles very much made me feel inadequate and insecure in my art. I was taking photos so often, yet I had no idea what they were talking about. My ignorance of the medium made me feel like I was way more talented than I actually was. I had learned the basics of the medium from messing around with it as a hobbiest, but it wasn’t until the moment I decided to pursue my photography seriously that I began to invest time into learning photography in depth. Studying composition, lighting, and the importance of intention behind a photograph. It was when I began implimenting these learned techniques and rules into my very own photography is when I started creating images that I truly grew attachments to and no longer felt like a victim of imposter syndrome. At least for the moment.. I feel as if imposter syndrome is something that creeps into the minds of every artists’ mind at every level in some form or shape. For me, as I continued to sharpen my tools in my photography, and grew even more likeness in my work, I found myself moreso surrounded amongst amazing artist with a burning passion for their creations and unique mediums. It feels truly great to be creating amongst such talent. However, while existing in these spaces I had begun to feel the creeping thought of not belonging in these spaces emerge in my head. Different levels of organization, implementation, and hussle that differed from my own posed a challenge for me. The feeling was exciting because I was by far the smartest person in the room, but in some moments I did feel feelings of jealousy. These feelings stemming from feeling inadequate/insecure now in my art. At one point my style began changing constantly to produce photos/designs from other photographers who’s work I admired and would see scrolling my feed on social media. Then one day I scrolled to a post on instagram posted by photographer @hartbreak reading, “It’s important that we investigate ourselves and our beliefs constantly. It’s easy to lull ourselves into a place of unhealthy comfort due to outside numbing influences. But you can’t avoid yourself forever – I think its scary to find out that you’re living someone else’s dream but the sooner you be honest with yourself, the sooner you can redirect course.” That course being the authentic one true to one’s self. I find myself to be an individual who constanty is observing themselves, their energy, and the things they consume and how it affects them. Prior to reading that statement, I realized that certain styles and types of photography I had been growing in were not solely because of my interest, but rather instead the interest of peers around me and or what they may have wanted from my services. I redirected my course. This redirection being fully authentic to me, my likes, and interest. Solely creating for me with my own intentions is when I geniuinely do my best work. It’s okay to be selfish with your art. The most growth happens when you’re truly connecting with yourself. Needless to say, collaboration and working with other artist is a fruitful and loving connective experience. Simply just don’t lose yourself in the midst of it all! Being lost creatively is when I found myself feeling inadequate and a victim of imposter syndrome, but now I don’t allow myself to stray away from authenticity. Always be yourself in every single thing that you do.
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 am a multifaceted artist of many mediums, the main ones being photography, drawing, and painting. I really enjoy fashion as well and eventually plan on getting into clothing design. Photography being my main medium and my most notable one, is whence I created my brand, “Zion’s Perspective” from. I chose that name because I found it very fitting in regards to my photos, as I capture the world from my very own unique perspective whilst sharing it with the world. Since I started out photographing my friends, my favorite style of photos were portraits. I loved capturing people and how they expressed themselves to the world. As I grew in this medium I began to find inspiration from all aspects of life and the beauty in all the small details that encapsulate it. Examples ranging from the Nature of the Earth, the abstract concepts of expression, and life experiences. Other artist who inspire me are Pink Siifu, Donald Glover, and Devonte Hynes.
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?
Number 1, I would say to not look to others for acceptance. When creating who truly cares what others think. Our creations are for ourselves first. Sharing art is simply a choice, but not a must. What we decide to share is a choice and we have free will to create and present whatever we wish to do. Of course if you have a mentor and trust their work then it’s okay to be largely influenced and guided by their thoughts, but always understand their perspective is their own and they have their own personal biases behind their creations. We all have our very own unique perspective and trusting one’s own breeds the best work.
Number 2, I would say to study and learn the craft. Study the technicality and principles, study the greats who mastered the craft and became successful, study study study. No matter the medium, if ones intentions is to become “successful,” “the best,” whatever intention one may have behind their art, they must observe the ways it was done before them. In doing so, you learn ways to form your own path guided by the paths laid about before you. “Use guidance not to follow their steps exactly, but to learn the steps and learn what steps to take and which ones not to take.” Also with studying the medium and learning the rules you can also learn how to break them.
Number 3, I would say is to always be yourself! Everytime I showed up in a creative space amongst peers, my intentions were always to be seen. In doing so, sometimes foregoing myself and my beliefs to further connect with my peers. This not only was harmful to myself because it wasn’t truthful to me, but also portrayed a sense of me that wasn’t true to my peers. Doing this causes people to accept the version of you that you’re presenting and not the real you. Real honest eyes can see the true you, and real connections aren’t formed when they’re not formed with our true selves.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Most of the time me feeling overwhelmed stems from me being overly exhausted. Spreading myself too thin by putting my time into all these different aspects of life such as creating, work, friendships, etc, and not putting enough time into myself. Whenever I feel like i’ve taken on too much of life’s tasks, I slow down and put a pause on all of them. Giving out all of my time and energy leaves me with none, so pausing all of these things allows me to reclaim my time and energy, refuel myself, and later return to things when I feel ready. Once I return to all these activities i’m refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on each tasks giving them 100% of my time and energy. In life I feel like we always feel like we need to be doing something out of the fear of being left behind. Like life is some sort of race. When that simply is not the case. Rushing through creations, life’s moments, and trying to have your hand in everything will only produce rushed and messy outcomes. Each relationship we have, whether with our work and passions to our friendships, all deserve our upmost undivided attention in the present moment. My advice for all relationships would be to slow down and take your time. Take your time with your creations so that you can take into account every fine detail. This goes for everything. From the creation of an oil painting with each fine stroke, writing music and ensuring the right feelings and emotions are being portrayed, to meaningful relationships and ensuring you show up for the ones that truly matter by remembering the little things about a person that lets them know you’re listening. Everything of meaning to us deserves our love and attention.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zionsperspective.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zionsperspective/
Image Credits
Zion McKnight
