Breaking Through the Procrastination Wall: A Photographer’s Guide to Getting Unstuck
Are you your own worst enemy?
I love talking about photography, especially with photographers. It is quite the time to be alive in the game of image creation.
A blend of OMG, we can do anything :-) — blended with a little OH crap, we can do anything :-( … ya know.
A couple of recent discussions with photographers revealed something we all deal with at some level every day.
Putting stuff off.
Tomorrowism.
“Ain’t got no time for that…”
Look, we need to talk about that thing you’re not doing right now. You know exactly what I mean.
That portfolio update.
Those client galleries.
That personal project you’ve been “planning” for months.
Yeah, that stuff. The work that keeps you up at night but somehow never gets done during the day.
Here’s the absolute truth: procrastination is not laziness, or the dearth of inspiration.
It’s fear.
We’ve been trained to be fearful most of our lives. It’s built into our DNA… part of self-preservation.
But fear also kills creativity, and it’s time to punch it in the face.
Let’s tackle the real issues head-on.
“It’s too hot outside.”
“The light isn’t right.”
“I need better gear.”
Listen to yourself. These aren’t reasons — they’re excuses.
And I’ve heard them all. Hell, I’ve used them all. But here’s what I’ve learned: the best photographers aren’t the ones waiting for perfect conditions.
They’re the ones shooting anyway.
Are you avoiding post-processing because you’ve got 3,000 images to sort through? Break it down. Thirty minutes. One hundred images.
Do it now.
Not tomorrow.
Not when you “feel inspired.”
Now.
(And did you really need to shoot 3000 images of that hot tub?)
Your portfolio is outdated, and you keep putting off the update because “nothing is good enough.”
Stop it.
There are very few things in life that are perfect.
Perfectionism is procrastination wearing a fancy-ass hat.
Pick your ten best images from the last six months. Yes, right now. They don’t have to be perfect — they have to be done.
And get them up on your site. Today.
Personal projects are where most photographers really shine at procrastination.
“I’ll start when I have more time.”
“I need to plan it better.”
No, you don’t. You need to start shooting. Today. This hour. The project will evolve as you work. That’s how creativity actually works.
When you are working you find more reasons to keep on working.
Social media giving you anxiety?
Schedule one hour — with a timer — to batch your posts for the week. Then get back to actual photography. Your Instagram feed isn’t your art — it’s just marketing. It’s necessary. Get over it.
Here’s a little-known secret thing about creative blocks: they’re not real.
They’re just fear, wearing kitty pajamas, and pretending to be your friend.
Fear of failure.
Fear of criticism.
Fear of success.
The only way through is to shoot anyway.
Make bad photos.
Make mediocre photos.
Just make something.
Want to know the secret to beat procrastination?
It’s embarrassingly simple: do something.
Anything.
Right now.
Not tomorrow.
Not when you feel ready.
Now.
Here’s your assignment, and yes, it’s mandatory:
1. Grab your camera. Right now.
2. Walk outside. Yes, right now. I don’t care what the weather is.
3. Find one subject. Anything. A trash can. A leaf. Your neighbor’s cat.
4. Make 20 different photos of that one subject. No excuses.
5. Pick the best one.
6. Edit it. Post it. Done.
You have 24 hours from the moment you finish reading this article. No extensions. No excuses.
Don’t make me send the Brute Squad.
Remember: every great photographer you admire got there by showing up and doing the work.
Not by waiting for the perfect moment.
Not by organizing their hard drives.
Not by researching new gear.
They got there by shooting.
And now it’s your turn.
Now get to work. I mean it. Close this article and go shoot. The only thing standing between you and better photography is your own excuses.
And if you’re still sitting here reading?
You’re procrastinating.
Go.
Shoot.
Now.
Hi, I’m Don Giannatti, a photographer and mentor for up-and-coming photographers. You can find me on my website, Don Giannatti, and at my Substack site, where I also publish for creative people.
