Hey Reader,
When people talk about “having standards”, it can sound like some moral badge.
Almost like it is about being better than other people.
But that has never been the point.
Standards are what protect you. They keep your creativity alive, they protect your time, and they help you avoid situations that drain the joy out of this work.
And the thing is, your standards show up everywhere.
Let's dive in!
Pricing and Clients
I once photographed a wedding for a connection.
I lowered my rate because I thought the relationship would lead to opportunities.
It did not.
The client was ungrateful, asked for far more than agreed, and left me wondering why I had ever said yes.
By the time I sent the invoice, I felt flat.
That sinking feeling you get when you know you undervalued yourself.
That is the cost of dropping your standard.
Since then, I have raised the bar for what I will accept.
Lately, I have had a lot of collaborations come through thanks to posting more online.
Most of them are designed to get in front of my audience for very little in return.
I say no.
Because my standard is clear: if I do share something, it has to bring real value.
Saying no has not hurt me.
If anything, it has kept my energy focused and made the yeses feel stronger.
For you: notice how you feel when you send an invoice or accept a job. If you feel flat, underpaid, or taken for granted, that is a sign your standards need adjusting. The right projects will never require you to resent yourself.
Effort and Craft
Standards are not only about what you accept from others.
They also live in the effort you put into your own work.
Recently, I delivered an edit that I spent much longer on than I needed to.
The rate did not really cover the hours, but I could not bring myself to hand over something I was not proud of.
That is the selfish side of standards.
I want the work that leaves my hands to meet the level I set for myself, not just the minimum the client is expecting.
And while that costs time, it also means I am protecting my reputation, my growth, and the satisfaction I get from creating.
For you: ask yourself what your minimum is. What is the baseline of quality you are willing to put your name on? Defining that standard will stop you from handing over work you regret later.
Your Network
Another place standards matter is the people around you.
It is easy to get caught chasing the “right” events or trying to stay close to certain circles because they look good from the outside.
But if those people or spaces do not energise you, what are you really gaining?
A good example for me is a creative friend here in Barcelona, Pablo.
We share ideas openly, we help each other where we can, and there is transparency and trust.
That is the kind of standard I want for my network.
Not being everywhere, not forcing myself into rooms where I do not belong, but building with people I actually believe in.
For you: look at the people you are creating around. Do they make you sharper, braver, or more consistent? If not, maybe the standard you need to raise is the company you keep.
The Point
Your creativity does not just rely on talent or inspiration.
It relies on the standards you decide to hold.
Standards in pricing, so you do not feel resentful.
Standards in effort, so you stay proud of your work.
Standards in your network, so you are surrounded by people who lift you up.
Lower them, and your creativity suffers.
Raise them, and your work — and your energy — will always be protected.
Catch you next week,
Matty 📷 🚀
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