Hey Reader,
Progress in photography or any creative field isn’t always obvious.
It rarely shows up as a big milestone or overnight success, or a massive community.
Most of the time, it sneaks up quietly, through small, consistent wins you probably didn’t notice.
But it’s important to catch these along the way because they matter more than you think.
Looking back, these have been some of the clearest signs I was moving forward with my craft, and knowing they were wins gave me that extra bit of motivation to keep going.
Let’s dive in.
You’ve started documenting your process (and sharing it)
If you’ve begun documenting your process, you’re making massive progress.
You realised that while it’s important to capture memories of the journey for yourself, it’s also valuable to put these moments out into the world.
Maybe you shared a behind-the-scenes clip, posted about what you were working on or explained how you took a shot.
That’s a win.
If you want people, brands, clients, even your aunties (hi noona!) to be invested in your work, you need to share something more.
How you take photos. How you do things. Essentially, you. Your story.
And if you’ve started documenting these, you’re making the jump from just a photographer to “Your Name, the photographer.”
That shift matters.
If you’ve been reading this newsletter a while, you probably know a little more about me than just the photos I take.
That’s the point.
When you see yourself as a creator, not just someone with a camera, you give people the chance to step into your world.
When you start documenting you’re building trust, telling your story and letting people connect with more than the final image.
Great images matter, absolutely.
But pairing them with your story makes them even stronger.
Documenting means you’re moving forward, take the W!
Someone else shares your work
The first time a client reposts your photo or a friend tags you is a win.
Not because of the added exposure but because it means they’re proud to be seen with your work.
They’re saying, “Look who, we got [your name] to shoot our project” or “we’re so stoked with the results [your name] gave us.”
I had this exact feeling the other week when I got a message from a wedding client and saw the last 9 photos on their grid were all shots I’d taken.
That level alignment is what we're looking for in this journey!
Other people championing your name is huge, and it’s exactly why I’m so grateful every time I see my work reshared by this community, by clients or by my family.
It’s one of the clearest signs your style and vision are strong enough that others want to attach themselves to it.
Your photography becomes a reason to travel
I’ll never forget the first time my camera took me somewhere new.
It was Croatia back in 2018.
I had the privilege of documenting a chartered boat trip.
Boujie, I know.
Was I qualified for this shoot? Absolutely not.
Did they pay me? No.
Did I care? No.
This was the first time a travel brand was interested in me capturing their product.
And even though it wasn’t paid, it was still a turning point.
Now I know this is quite the “shoot”, but honestly, even a one-hour drive from your hometown should be considered a win.
If a client is asking you to leave your location and they’re willing to pay for your travel, that’s a win.
When your craft invites you into new places, whether it’s a different city, a weekend away or even a street you’ve never explored, that’s growth.
Your work isn’t staying static. It’s pulling you out into the world.
You’ve found your platform
Finding your platform comes down to how you communicate your work.
For me, it’s been social media.
YouTube, Instagram, TikTok… all the fun ones you know.
But that’s just me.
I know plenty of successful artists who post once a year because they’re too busy working.
They’ve found their format.
For some, it’s being the go-to second shooter who covers all the weddings in the city.
For others, it’s the corporate networkers who use LinkedIn and land the big corporate clients.
And remember, your platform doesn’t have to be digital.
It can be networking, print-selling, exhibitions, or running events.
The point is, when you find the format and platform that fit your personality and where you are in life, creating stops feeling like a chore.
Why this matters
These aren’t small things.
They are signs you’re building something solid.
Stack enough of them and one day you’ll look back and realise this is working.
So if any of these wins have shown up in your world recently, take a second to celebrate them.
They’re proof you’re moving forward even if it doesn’t always feel that way.
btw...
I’ve been writing Captured every week for a few years now.
If you’d like to support the newsletter, I’ve set up a virtual tip jar.
It’s a small way to help keep this going while I keep sharing these newsletters with you.
