It’s ok to be proud of yourself.

So growing up I was always told that self-recognition is not a real recognition but from my personal experience, I feel that recognition starts with one’s self. It’s ok to listen to constructive criticism and even unconstructive ones, it’s what you use that criticism to do that defines you and shapes you. I take every criticism personally, but not in a way that will get me to want to give up, but more in a way to push me forward.

When my work or myself is criticized I like to go sit at my desk or in my favorite chair with either my iPad or my laptop and I look at my work and I ask myself, based on the work of other top-level photographers whose work I admire and what I know I am capable of if I put in more effort, can I do better than this. The answer is always yes.

Sometimes I need to hear that critique, in order for me to take a step back and see what I am missing or what I did wrong and I use that as motivation to improve.

So with all that said, I can say because of that, I remain driven, it’s my personal challenge to improve every time I shoot and edit, I can see clearly now what I like and don’t like and know when I can do better. So for that when I do very well, I feel proud, that is the feeling I get knowing I have journeyed a long way, knowing I have improved and will continue to work and grow.