Eight strategies to deal with gatekeepers and grow as a photographer

Have you ever been excited about a photo you took, only to have someone rain on your parade with a negative comment? Or maybe you’ve encountered a “photography police officer” who insists there’s only one right way to take pictures?

You’re not alone, my friend. Toxic comments and gatekeepers have been a part of this world for years, especially since photography moved from photo albums and frame prints into the online realm. In his recent video, Alex of The Photographic Eye shares some fantastic tips to help you deal with gatekeepers and not let them steal your joy.

[Related Reading: The dos and don’ts of photography criticism, part 1: How to take it.]

1. (I can’t get no) satisfaction

The most important thing is to create images that bring you joy. Don’t let anyone dictate what’s “good” or “bad”.  Sure, there are some basic rules to learn and follow. But you know what? The rules are also there to be broken! And sometimes, you need to listen to your intuition. As Alex mentions, “The photographs that satisfy me the most are the ones that I’m taking just for me, for my own pleasure and enjoyment.” So, if you are happy with your work, that’s all that matters.

2. Find your photographic tribe

Surround yourself with supportive photographers who uplift and inspire you. Just like trolls and toxic people lure on the internet to tell you that you suck, the online world is also filled with supportive, amazing people who will support you and teach you. So, join online forums and Facebook groups that seem nice. I don’t know how active Flickr groups still are, but you can go for those, too.

Of course, it’s always good to explore local camera clubs, too. Here, you can meet up with other photographers, share your work, and receive constructive feedback to help you grow. And you’ll also make friends. “Look for communities that uplift you that inspire you,” Alex points out. “Ultimately, being part of a photographic community is about growth and it’s about support.”

[Related Reading: The dos and don’ts of photography criticism, part 2: How to give it]

3. Recognize noise for what it is

Not all criticism is created equal. Some comments are genuinely helpful, while others are just noise. It’s not always easy to tell them apart, but it’s essential for your growth and your well-being to learn to distinguish between the two. Alex suggests that you ask yourself if the person giving you this comment comes from a place of wanting to help you grow or if it sounds like it’s just hot air of people wanting to show off how much they know. If a comment doesn’t come from a place of kindness and constructive criticism, it’s probably best to ignore it.

Also, it’s essential not to let fear of negative comments hold you back from trying new things. Embrace experimentation and push your creative boundaries. Some experiments will work and some won’t – but that’s how you learn, grow, and ultimately, form your own preferences and style.

4. Understand the gatekeeper mindset

Okay, but why are the gatekeepers like this? Why do they love criticizing and belittling you, usually non-constructively? Alex nailed it by saying that these are the people “Afraid that they’re going to get left behind or they’re going to feel irrelevant when we look at photography as a whole. So they cling to these rules as a way of validating themselves.”

5. Respect yourself

It’s not about you, it’s about them. By understanding their motivations, you can better deal with their negativity. Instead of taking negative comments personally, step back and think about your worth and about your goals in photography.

6. Turn negative to positive

This is an interesting tip from Alex – consider those negative comments as compliments. They mean that you’ve done something that caught the gatekeepers’ attention. It made them feel something. But there’s another way to turn things around. Ask yourself, “Is there anything valuable I can learn from this criticism?” As Alex says, “Even in the nastiest spiteful narrow-minded comments, there might be a nugget of truth.” Maybe there’s something you can use from this comment, no matter how hateful it is, to improve yourself even further.

7. Choose your mentors wisely

While criticism from gatekeepers and toxic people usually isn’t too useful – this doesn’t mean you should avoid critique. However, it’s essential to seek it from photographers whose work you admire and whose advice you trust. Avoid taking advice from people who are constantly criticizing others. As Alex says, “If Ansel Adams gave you some harsh critique would you appreciate that more than if it was just user1234?”

8. Be brave, experiment, attract criticism!

Your photography should be a reflection of your unique perspective. Don’t try to conform to someone else’s idea of what good photography is. “Your photography isn’t a rule book,” Alex says. “The more that you experiment, the more criticism you are going to get, and that’s a good thing. It means that you’re doing something right.”

Don’t be your own gatekeeper

I want to share a bit of a personal story here hoping to inspire you even further. Sometimes, we’re our own worst critics and our own gatekeepers. I’m currently going through that in a totally different area – sports.

I’ve been much more physically active over the past year and a half, but it’s been a long journey. I’ve always been told that I was “clumsy” and “completely untalented for sport”. So, while I’ve always felt the need for movement, I never actually became passionate about any sport. I always felt like an intruder, like I’m not “perfect,” and like everyone would judge me.

However, a simple utterance I heard relatively recently changed that forever. “Just enjoy the movement.” You have no idea how liberating that was! Sure, I’m still a little slower than other hikers. I still die a little when I try to run. And I still can’t lift more than 3kg with each hand. But I’m freaking enjoying the movement and the feeling it gives me! If someone frowns at me for being slower or weaker than them, I don’t really pay attention anymore. On the other hand, I ask for advice from more experienced athletes. They tell me when I do something wrong or risk injury, they give me advice on how to improve, and they support me every step of the way. And this is what the photography community should be as well – a supportive and inspiring place.

So, don’t let toxic comments and gatekeepers get to you and discourage you from pursuing your passion. Keep creating, keep experimenting, find your tribe – and enjoy every click of the shutter!

[All Photographers Will Meet This Toxic Person One Day | The Photographic Eye]

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