CAPTURED - Weekly Newsletter

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8 Uncomfortable Truths About Likeable Photographers

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Hey Reader!

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By now you've probably noticed that some photographers out there have that thing.

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You can’t quite put your finger on it, but people gravitate toward them.

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Their work feels effortless, their presence magnetic.

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It’s not just talent.

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It’s not luck.

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And it’s not some secret algorithm hack.

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It’s something deeper.

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Here are eight uncomfortable truths about why some photographers are instantly likeable.

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1) They’re Willing to Be Disliked

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Most people try to fit in.

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But the ones we admire?

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They stand out.

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They share real opinions.

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They don’t play by the rules of Instagram.

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They shoot projects in ways that make them excited, not just what’s trendy.

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And that polarises people.

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Some love them.

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Some don’t.

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But that’s the trade-off—you can’t be liked by everyone and be truly interesting.

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2) They Don’t Try to Be More ‘Exciting’ Than They Feel

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You can sense when someone is forcing it.

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The overly hyped energy, the desperate need for validation...it’s exhausting to watch.

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The most likeable photographers don’t do that.

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They show up as they are.

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Sometimes quiet, sometimes bold.

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They trust that their presence, their work, and their ideas are enough.

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And because they’re comfortable in their own energy, you feel comfortable around them too.

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3) They Let Others Teach Them Things

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Ego is a creativity killer.

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The best photographers don’t assume they know it all.

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They ask questions.

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They take inspiration from unexpected places.

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They learn from people who aren’t ‘on their level.’

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And that openness makes them people you actually want to be around.

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4) They Don’t Gatekeep

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Some people hoard knowledge.

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They don’t want to share their settings, their techniques, or how they got a certain shot.

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But the photographers we admire?

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They give freely.

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Because they understand that sharing doesn’t take away from them...it makes their work even more valuable.

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5) They’re Committed to Their Own Style

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Trends come and go.

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But the photographers who stick with their thing, even when it’s not ‘in’? Those are the ones who stand out.

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They don’t constantly reinvent themselves for the algorithm.

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They double down on what makes their work theirs.

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And that kind of commitment is rare.

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6) They’re Vulnerable

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Perfection is boring. It’s also unrelatable.

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We connect with people who let us in—the ones who share the behind-the-scenes struggles, the self-doubt, the moments where they almost quit.

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It’s not about oversharing.

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It’s about being human.

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7) They Make You Feel Off-Balanced With Their Skill

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Ever watch someone do something so well that it makes you question everything you know? (me all the time).

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Great photographers have that effect.

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Their work makes you rethink what’s possible.

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Their presence makes you want to level up.

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And while it might feel unsettling at first, it’s also the kind of inspiration that sticks.

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8) They Make You Feel Seen

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This is the real one.

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The photographers we like the most?

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They’re not just talented.

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They notice things.

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They remember the small details.

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They make you feel interesting.

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They see things in people that others overlook.

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And that’s why people remember them.

Catch you next week,

Matty 📷 🚀

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Whenever you're ready, there are 3 more ways I can help you:

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​Join the Waitlist - for my live cohort training on turning your photography into a magnetic brand that attracts followers and cash.

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