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World Stories, Told My Way's avatar

100%. There are always going to be people who believe themselves to be better, and there are always going to be people who are better. I try - not always successfully - to compare myself only to myself and the photographic and writing journey that I'm on. I'm improving every year, and really that's the metric that's important.

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The Sensitive CEO's avatar

I love how honestly you shared your thoughts here. I feel like so many of us secretly wrestle with these same insecurities. Reading your words felt like a comforting chat with a friend who's brave enough to say what's really going on. Thanks for opening up this conversation; it's so needed!

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Ana's avatar

I feel seen, thank you for your kind words 😘

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Alexandra Lais's avatar

I can relate to this in some ways. On always finding an external reason why I can still not call myself the thing I know I am and I do well. In the end, the permission will never come from anyone but us.

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Ana's avatar

Exactly! Of letting go of old paradigms that are holding us back and make our own space in this crazy world.

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Kelly Van de Vliet's avatar

Oh the story of the guy with all the expensive gear is SO familiar for me!! I still get mansplayed every time I talk about photography gear 😒

I also struggle with calling myself a photographer. Although I used to call myself that all the time cause I had trouble embracing my multipassionate nature but now I don't want to limit myself to one thing so I'm either a creative or a storyteller.

Your photos are gorgeous!! ✨

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Ana's avatar

Hi Kelly, thank you so much for your comment! I am even more delusional and call myself an artist haha. I feel like most of youtube is filled with mansplainers stuck in gear talk. I understand that for some, just how the camera works is their hobby, but it tricks people into thinking that a better camera will produce better art when it will only produce larger files. Hugs!

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Kelly Van de Vliet's avatar

Haha noooo, you are an artist!!

For sure, I always tell people it doesn’t matter and they should just use their phone in the beginning. A great photographer can take awesome photos with whatever camera they’re using!

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Ana's avatar

Hi there! I made a little mistake in the header of the email, it still had the "Travel Plans" header ahhhh! I'm still figuring Substack out :)

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Mademoiselle Joie 👒's avatar

That's a very inspiring article! Thanks for sharing :)

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Ana's avatar

Thank you!🌸

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