It’s one thing to admire the photography work of your peers and competitors, but it’s a whole different story when this comparison leads to a true obsession.
While I would say it’s somewhat normal to follow the work of competitors simply to see what’s working in their business and what their target client is attracted to, I would venture to say that basing your business and artistic skills off of what they do is extremely unhealthy.
We are all guilty of this from time to time, but I think it’s important to asses why we are doing this and why we should focus on other helpful ways of growth instead.
After all, we are in business for ourselves, and we create photographs for ourselves, so why would the work of others dictate what we desire to do?
It’s a waste of time
Plain and simple: when you are busy obsessing over your competitors and what they are doing, you are missing out on your own opportunities to build and grow.
When I first started diving into my photography business, Facebook pages were relatively new and it was easier to discover local businesses and photography pages of locals.
I remember stumbling across another photographer that amazed me. Her lighting, her editing, and the expressions she captured with her clients were golden to me, and for a long time, I couldn’t keep my eyes off her work.
I would spend more time examining her work and working myself into an envious tizzy over what I didn’t have.
Looking back, it’s absolutely rmind-blowing that I acted this way.
My skills are now above what I tried to aim for when comparing my work with hers, my business has been soaring for many years now, and everything has fallen into place (and better than I had imagined).
Did this photographer have an impact so great that it molded the shape of my business? Absolutely not.
What molded my business and my skills were the education I invested in, the effort I put forth, and the countless hours I poured into myself. If I had invested in that time simply obsessing over her work, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
You miss focus
When you are so focused on someone else, their talents, and their success, how can you be genuinely focused on your own interests?
Simply put: you can’t focus all of your time and energy on both.
This directly goes hand in hand with wasting time; you waste your time by missing the focus of yourself and personal growth because of the obsession of a competitor.
Is putting forth all of your energy into focusing on someone else’s work that crucial for your own growth?
Only you can answer that (but, can you guess mine?).
Only you can be you
It’s often said that there’s only one of you, so how could we possibly expect ourselves to replicate someone else (even if it’s minuet as a photography or an editing style)?
Not only does this step off the path of us being true to ourselves, but it also harbors a mentality of suppressed creativity and not trusting ourselves to be who we are.
What does that even mean???
Well, when you look to another photographer because you feel the need to compete, replicate, or master the skills they already have, then you simply aren’t entrusting yourself as a free artist to create your own style and show that to the world.
It really just boils down to not believing in your talents or not believing that others will find your work beautiful and inspiring.
Does that ring true for you?
Perhaps all that’s getting in the way of becoming the artist you wish to be is yourself.
It doesn’t matter
At the end of the day, all of this the and energy you put into over someone else simply doesn’t matter.
We can only get so much from being consumed by our competitors and we can only get so far by tormenting ourselves with this type of comparison and obsession.
So you must ask yourself – does it really matter?
Will this comparison have a positive or negative impact on your life?
Does this obsession or envy inspire or motivate you beyond the surface of just wanting to become better?
Sometimes the best advice we can get is by reflecting on these questions we ask ourselves and dig deep into whom we wish to be. Only you can decide in the end if this is all worth it or not.
Have you been guilty of over-obsessing over a competitors work to the point that it keeps you from moving forward? if so, how did you overcome it?
Start the discussion and let us know – we love hearing encouraging ways that others have built themselves up!