In this video photographer James Quantz Jr talks about something that doesn’t get discussed very often but is an important topic that can hinder many brilliant artists and photographers. He calls it pre-shoot anxiety, but it comes under many other names: performance anxiety, or just good old fashioned nervousness. We all imagine that once we get to a certain level you won’t have this issue anymore, but it’s much more common than you think, and ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. If you suffer from performance anxiety then know that you aren’t alone, and even better, that there are many practical things that you can do to reduce this feeling and help you to perform at your best during your next shoot.
What happens when photography gives you anxiety?
If you suffer from anxiety, making art is one of the things that help to keep it under control. Many photographers use this medium to beat anxiety, and I am one of them. But, what happens when photography doesn’t reduce your anxiety, but triggers it instead? Manny Ortiz has this issue, despite being a professional photographer for years. He shares his experience in this video, so if you have the same problem, this is something you’ll want to watch.
This woman used photography to recover after a stroke
Photography is more than a hobby or profession. Sometimes, it can be a life-saver, both figuratively and literally. In this video, Marc Newton of The School of Photography hosts Maureen O’Sullivan-Day. She shares how photography helped her recover and become her old self again after she suffered a stroke.
How photography has helped me survive difficult times
Ever since I became interested in photography, I would occasionally read a story about someone who’d used it to help them through an emotional low-point or mental ill health. Little did I realize that I would become one of them, too. Photography has had a positive impact on my life and helped me get through the past year. I was feeling down most of the time after a traumatic event and a particularly rough period of my life. Anxiety and panic attacks became a common feature of my life. But I’ve learned how to use photography to live through it. And live through it well.
The article you’re about to read is a very personal story. It’s more personal than any other article that I’ve written for DIYP. But it’s written with the hope that it can help someone else who might be feeling anxious or depressed. I’ve been through some tough times, and photography’s one of the things that has helped me to not fall apart. I want to tell you more about it and, hopefully, get you inspired and bring you some encouragement.
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