#529 In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Karen Doughman, a middle school English teacher turned photographer. We dive into Karen's journey, her struggles with self-doubt, and her strategies to overcome them. Karen shares her experiences from joining the photography community during COVID, her ambitions to evoke memories through her photos, and her aspirations to master lighting.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Overcoming Self-Doubt: Acknowledge your fears but don't let them hold you back. Build confidence by taking your camera with you everywhere. 
• Embrace Imperfection: Let go of the need for complete control in every shot, allowing for creativity and spontaneity. 
• Focus on Authenticity: Aim to evoke genuine emotions and memories in your photos, rather than seeking perfection. 
• Persistent Practice: Consistent practice and learning from feedback are key to gradually enhancing your photography skills.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN

1. Carry Your Camera Everywhere: Make it a habit to bring your camera to all your daily activities, even if you don't intend to shoot. Challenge yourself with small, spontaneous photography projects to get more comfortable shooting in various settings.
2. Work on Lighting: Observe how natural light changes throughout the day and practice shooting in different lighting conditions. Use simple tools like reflectors or white cards to manipulate light and learn how it affects your subjects.
3. Embrace Spontaneity: Engage in Raymond Hatfield’s challenge to take 100 photos within 10 minutes to push your creative boundaries. Photograph a family member jumping, focusing on capturing their movement and expressions rather than aiming for flawless shots.
4. Build a Support Network: Join local photography groups or online communities to share your work, receive feedback, and connect with other photographers. Actively participate in discussions and group activities to gain new perspectives and techniques.
5. Plan and Execute Creative Projects: Brainstorm and plan a thematic photo shoot with a clear vision. Execute your planned shoot, taking time to set up props and lighting, then reflect on the results to identify areas for improvement and celebrate your progress.

RESOURCES:
Visit Karen Doughman's Website - https://doughmanphotography.mypixieset.com/
Follow Karen Doughman on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/doughman_photography/

Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets at
http://freephotographypresets.com/

Connect with the Beginner Photography Podcast!

• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Send in your Photo Questions to get answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!