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CAPTURED - Weekly Newsletter

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You’re Probably Doing Better Than You Think

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Hey Reader,

We’re halfway through the year.

And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably asked:

“Am I actually getting anywhere?”

The answer’s probably yes.

It just might not look the way you expected.

Let's dive in!

The Main Idea...Unpacked.

This week marked one year since I moved to Barcelona.

And I’ll be honest, my first instinct was to reflect on everything that hasn’t happened.

Client work still isn’t consistent.

I don’t have the kind of social life I imagined by now.

Still figuring out pricing.

Still battling a bit of FOMO.

But then someone close to me said, “Okay… but what has happened?”

And that changed everything.

I moved across the world. Learned a new language. Made new friends. Dropped into your inbox almost every week with this newsletter.

So yeah, it’s been a weird year.

But when I zoomed out, I realised I’m in a completely different place now.

And that’s what I want to talk about today.

How to See Your Progress (Even When You Feel Behind)

1. Start with what changed, not what you finished

It’s easy to think you’re not improving if you haven’t “finished” anything big.

Not landing that big client you were hoping to before the summer. Or finally getting a content creation system in full swing.

But progress often shows up in smaller ways...

• Maybe you’re making creative decisions more quickly.
• You feel more at ease when editing.
• You’re backing yourself more when you’re out shooting.
• Or you’re starting to trust your eye, without needing someone to tell you it’s good.

That stuff doesn’t always feel like a win, but it adds up.

And often, it matters more than one flashy project.

2. Zoom out from your timeline

We all love a good 6-month plan.

But creative growth rarely follows one.

Some phases are slow on purpose.

You’re experimenting, gaining experience, and learning to handle doubt.

It might not feel productive, but it’s often where the real growth happens.

So instead of asking, “What have I done this month?”

Try asking, “What’s moved the needle with my photography this year?”

Was it landing your first paid shoot? Or copping your first AAA media pass to a local festival?

You’ll probably find more than you thought.

3. Make a personal progress folder

This is something I’ve only just started doing, but it helps put things in perspective.

Make a folder on your desktop or phone called “Midway Wrap 2025.”

Drop in your 10 favourite photos from the year so far.

They don’t have to be perfect, just ones that mean something to you.

Include behind-the-scenes shots, screenshots of kind messages, little wins, or even failed attempts at projects you tried to ge toff the ground.

It’s not meant to be polished. It’s not for Instagram.

It’s for you.

To remind yourself you’re not stuck.

And that "you got motion twin."

Something to Think About...

Creative progress isn’t always obvious.

It’s rarely tidy. And it never moves as fast as we want it to.

But halfway through the year is the perfect time to zoom out, breathe, and look at what has shifted.

Sometimes, all it takes is a little reminder of what has happened over the last 6 months.

Because you’re probably doing better than you think.

P.S...

I'm still gauging interest in a paid photography community.

It’d include everything I’ve made: courses, presets, guides, plus more hands-on support and a space to grow alongside others.

I'm thinking daily group chat, photo reviews, in-person meetups where possible, etc...

If that sounds like something you’d be into, you can reply here or send me a message here to let me know.

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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🚀 Free Training – If you’re ready to grow your brand & start making money with photography, this is for you.

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🤔 Not quite there yet? Start here:

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📸 My Photography Course – Learn the fundamentals & take pro-level shots with my beginner course.

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🎨 Level Up Your Edits – Make your photos pop instantly with my Lightroom presets.

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