No Failures, Only Lessons
Failure, photography and life
As far as I remember, the fear of failure always petrified me. I was just a random introverted and shy guy just doing the minimum to survive. A mix between too much pride and a fucking big lack of self-confidence. I couldn’t imagine doing my best and ended in failure.
That state of mind chased me all my life until I dived more seriously into the world of photography.
Photography is a wonderful way to tell stories, to interact with people when you shoot them, to interact with people when you show your stuff, to learn from others, to learn from the greatest and to try to surpass yourself. It has really given me the self-confidence I lacked.
For example, last year I began a one-year photo project inspired by my photo teacher. I usually work in an ephemeral environment (event and corporate). You have to be very productive with very very short deadlines.
So it was a premiere for me.
The project is about the seven deadly sins, as incarnated by women. Seven sins, seven women. Yeaahh I know … classic… right? I studied and worked months on the subject, trying to find the best way to tell it.
After 7 or 8 months, I shot only two sins and left behind the project. I was so obsessed about the storytelling that I forgot to focus on what is important in photography: Photography itself.
First, I thought I failed but then I realised that instead of being a one-year project, it could be a long term project and why not a lifelong project.
Photography doesn’t make my living so I can take my time to do things.
No rush, no pressure, just enjoyment.
The failure has changed into a lesson.
Today, I’m still too proud and I still need more self-confidence. But now, I want to try. To experiment and to discover what will be my next lesson.
“I have failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Michael Jordan
Please, try, experiment and embrace failure! Also, write about your own failures and the lessons you’ve learned below using responses.
