You Don’t Have to Be “Good” at Photography, And That’s Totally Okay

In his latest video, Alex Kilbee of The Photographic Eye shares a heartfelt reminder that might just be the thing every aspiring photographer needs to hear – you don’t have to be “good” at photography to enjoy it or even to grow into your own style.

Alex starts by taking us back to his early days in photography school during the 1990s. Back then, he believed there were clear lines between good and bad photos – a mindset shaped by traditional schooling. But this black-and-white way of thinking nearly derailed his photography journey before it even got off the ground.

Surrounded by classmates with more experience, Alex found himself stuck in comparison mode. He looked at their work and wondered if he’d ever be “good enough.” It’s the same feeling many beginners experience today while scrolling through perfectly curated feeds online.

But here’s the turning point: over time, Alex realized that the so-called “mistakes” in his work weren’t really mistakes at all. They were pieces of his personality showing up in his images. He just needed someone to help him see that. There’s no magic switch that flips overnight. For Alex, the shift was gradual. But it came when he started letting himself into the photographs – when he stopped chasing technical perfection and instead embraced his perspective.

This part of the story reminded me of a friend of mine who was in a photography club with me. She talked to me about her frustration with the photos that the club members normally took and expected her to take. There were plenty of street photos and pretty generic portraits, and those seemed to take the spotlight most of the time. And yet, my friend is more on the creative, experimental side. When she finally stopped trying to take street photos, which she actually doesn’t like all that much – her work started gaining more recognition and earned her numerous awards. She let herself be herself, and it not only brought her more success in the art world, but also made her enjoy photography again and be herself in the process.

There Is No Perfection, and No “Right” or “Wrong”

Alex also touches on how our work environments can bleed into our creativity. Many of us are trained to think there’s always a “right way,” especially in careers like accounting or engineering. But photography isn’t about ticking the correct boxes. It’s about expressing how we see the world.

Alex also highlights a trap that’s all too common: the belief that once we find the “perfect” preset, the “right” lens, or the sharpest image, then everything will make sense. But that moment never really comes. Photographers change styles throughout their careers, and that’s totally normal. What matters more is finding a way of shooting that feels natural to you, and not trying to mimic someone else’s style.

If someone had told Alex back in his first year, “You don’t have to be like anyone else – just photograph in a way that feels right to you,” it would have saved him a lot of stress. And if you’re wondering how to get that confidence, he suggests finding someone whose opinion you respect. Get their feedback. See what’s working. Use it to guide you, not define you.

At the end of the day, Alex says, photography is a test – but not of technical skills or style. It’s a test of your confidence in showing others how you see the world. And the results of that test are never black and white. So, take photos for yourself and don’t worry too much about impressing anyone else. Just enjoy the process, let your personality shine through, and see where it takes you.

[You Don’t Need to Be ‘Good’ at Photography | The Photographic Eye]

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