Confidence Tips For New Photographers
April 15, 2025
Starting out as a new photographer can be one of the most exciting, rewarding, and nerve-wracking experiences of your life. I know it was for me, beginning everything at 18. Whether you’re trying to build a wedding photography business or simply exploring the creative possibilities of a new medium, gaining confidence in your craft is vital to both your personal growth and professional success. As someone who has been through the highs and lows of photography—from the early struggles to finding clarity and confidence—I’m here to share the tips and strategies that helped me along the way. By the end of this blog post, you’ll have actionable advice that you can start applying immediately to feel more confident as you grow and evolve in your photography career. Here’s my best confidence tips for new photographers.
Also, just remember you can always book a mentoring session with me that’ll be even more useful than my posts can you believe it!
1. Start With Those Who Trust You (and visa versa)
One of the best ways to build confidence as a new photographer is to start by photographing those who already trust you: your close friends, family, or couples you know. It may seem too obvious to mention, but this initial group offers a soft landing. They know you, they care about you, and they’re more likely to be understanding if things don’t go as planned. This practice allows you to take risks, make mistakes, and get used to being behind the camera while having a supportive audience that’s rooting for you. Too many photographers start charging too early on and get themselves into a pickle when something goes wrong.
Why It Works
Photographing loved ones takes the pressure off. There’s less fear of judgment, and more room for creative exploration. The results may not be perfect, but this is about the process and building trust in yourself as a photographer. You’re giving yourself permission to grow, not perform flawlessly right out of the gate. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?
If you’re thinking, “But I’m nervous about even photographing my family!”—that’s normal! Every photographer, no matter how seasoned, has faced that fear. The good news is that these early shoots allow you to practice without the weight of a paying client’s expectations hanging over you. The goal is to learn without the pressure to be perfect. As you gain experience, your confidence in handling various situations will naturally grow.
I photographed everybody from my siblings to grandparents, friends of friends to churchgoers, I wanted more experience and that was how I got it as a newbie. This is why it’ll always by on the top of my list of confidence tips for new photographers.
2. Embrace Practice and Set Expectations Low
Ever learnt an instrument? The key to building confidence is practice. A lot of it. It’s the same with photography. When I was just starting out, I photographed anything I could: birthday parties, family gatherings, and even events I was invited to just to learn how to handle different settings and people. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll feel with your equipment, your compositions, and your ability to direct people in front of the lens.
But here’s the trick: don’t expect everything to go smoothly in the beginning. It’s okay to make mistakes! In fact, you should expect to make mistakes. This is an integral part of the process and a necessary step toward building your skills and confidence. In my own experience, I set my expectations low in the early stages. That way, when something didn’t go as planned, I had room to grow and learn from the experience.
Learning From Mistakes
When things go wrong (and they will!), rather than focusing on the failure, turn it into a learning opportunity. Look at what happened, what could have been done differently, and how you can improve next time. Taking a constructive approach to mistakes is one of the most important steps you can take to build your confidence.
I like to try and think of Jesus and the early disciples – they had literally no idea what they were doing, but they had watched Jesus do ministry, they had helped him do ministry, and now it was their turn. They made tons of mistakes! But they learnt and kept going. I know they didn’t have cameras, but the same idea applies – learning from experienced people, and carrying on afterwards.
I remember in my early career I assisted a number of high-end fashion photographers before I started working in agencies by myself – it was so helpful to learn from them!
Also, don’t be afraid to shoot a lot. The more photos you take, the better you’ll get. Practice shooting in all kinds of light, and try different angles, compositions, and techniques. This trial-and-error process will help you find your unique style and build a deeper understanding of what works for you.
3. Get Honest Feedback From Trusted Friends and Family
Feedback is an essential part of the learning process, but only if it comes from trusted sources. Ever had feedback from someone you don’t love or respect? Yuck, not nice. When you’re starting out, it can be hard to separate your personal feelings from your work. But getting honest, constructive feedback is a way to grow without the pressure of the public eye or online critiques. You’ll probably develop thicker skin and your own voice too.
Reach out to close family and friends who can give you feedback that’s not just kind, but also helpful. They’re the ones who know you best and are willing to offer real opinions. Their feedback can give you a clearer understanding of what you’re doing well and where you can improve. Make sure to ask specific questions like, “How does this image make you feel?” or “Was there something you didn’t like about this?” By asking these questions, you’re learning to see your work through a different lens—one that is more objective and focused on growth.
Why This Helps
Feedback from people you trust can help you see things you may not have noticed on your own. It also gives you the opportunity to hear positive things about your work, which builds your self-esteem and helps you feel encouraged to keep going. When you get to the point of taking on paid clients, this feedback loop will continue to be a powerful tool to refine your craft and grow your confidence.
4. Start Charging Modestly, Then Raise Your Prices Gradually
I’ve been in the wedding photography business since 2012, so my prices are at the top end of what photographers in the UK charge which reflects what I bring. See, pricing is often one of the biggest barriers for new photographers. It can be daunting to put a price on your work, especially when you’re still finding your confidence. Hourly? Per image? Who knows! In the beginning, I suggest starting with modest rates. This approach allows you to begin earning without the pressure of over-promising. Charging lower prices doesn’t mean your work isn’t valuable—it just means you’re still in the phase of building your portfolio and learning how to meet client expectations.
Gradual Price Increases
Once you’ve gained more experience and confidence, it’s time to raise your prices. I have done so every couple of years in the business as there has been more demand on luxury wedding photography. Equally, as your skillset grows, so should your rates. Don’t be afraid to gradually increase them as you improve your portfolio and gain more experience. Confidence often comes from seeing the tangible results of your hard work—and that includes earning the value you’ve worked to develop in your craft.
5. Consider Speaking To A Counsellor
Here’s something that helped me tremendously: speaking to a counsellor about my fears, anxieties, and everything holding me back. I had someone help me understand who I was as a person, not just as a photographer. For me, as a Christian, it was incredibly important to have someone who could help me embrace my purpose and calling in life—not just within the context of my photography career, but in the broader sense of my life’s meaning.
This is something I truly believe in: if you’re struggling with fear, self-doubt, or imposter syndrome, consider seeking professional guidance. A counsellor can help you work through your personal barriers, identify underlying issues, and offer strategies to help you build confidence in all areas of your life. I know it helped me to develop my own personal mantra for how I approach weddings—being the “courageous, creative, comforting, celebrator” for every couple I work with. Ask me more about that if you like.
Why Therapy or Counselling Helps
While you may think of therapy as being strictly for “big problems,” it’s actually a powerful tool for helping you address smaller, everyday insecurities too. Talking through your fears and anxieties can give you the clarity to move forward with confidence—whether it’s in your photography or your personal life. Feeling clear about your purpose and your identity is foundational to tackling the self-doubt that all photographers face at some point in their careers.
6. Revisit Your Previous Encouragements and Successes
When you’re feeling low on confidence, it’s important to take a step back and reflect on all of the positive feedback you’ve received and the successes you’ve already achieved. Look back at the photos you’ve taken that you’re proud of, the glowing reviews from clients, and the moments when you’ve felt truly proud of your work. Remind yourself of all the things you’ve done well, and allow that to motivate you to continue pressing forward.
This practice of revisiting your past successes is not just about nostalgia—it’s about building a foundation of confidence that comes from evidence. It’s easy to get caught up in the negative, but taking a moment to celebrate what you’ve accomplished can help you see how far you’ve come and how much potential you have for the future.
I give similar words of advice to my wife when she’s just done a preach at church that she’s not too sure went very well. It’s important to look at past victories, it makes your present life even richer.
Final Thoughts: Trust Your Journey and Keep Growing
Confidence tips for new photographers require a journey. Learning from others. Starting something new. It won’t happen overnight, and there will be moments where you feel unsure of your abilities. But trust me when I say that every photographer—myself included—has felt this way. The key is to keep practicing, stay humble, seek feedback, and remember that growth takes time. Confidence isn’t something you can force, but it will develop naturally as you continue to push yourself and refine your craft.
If you’re ready to take your confidence to the next level, I’d love to help. As a mentor, I guide photographers through their journey—whether it’s mastering their technical skills, building a successful business, or overcoming fears and imposter syndrome. If you’re looking for someone to walk alongside you, offering encouragement and expert advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
