Here’s a spicy truth for you: I’m a failed photographer. And I’m better at what I do because of it.
I didn’t need to master the fancy cameras. The studio lights annoyed me. The rules of “good photography”? They bored me to tears.
But instead of throwing in the towel and walking away, I asked myself a different question:What if I could throw out the rulebook entirely?
That’s when everything changed.
The Lie of Perfection
For years, I told myself I wasn’t “real” because I didn’t do things the way real photographers did. I lugged around expensive gear I didn’t love, tried to follow all the technical steps, and still felt completely out of sync with my work.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t fail at photography because I couldn’t “get it.” I failed because those rules weren’t mine.
Once I stopped chasing perfection and started focusing on connection, my entire perspective shifted. I realized the magic wasn’t in the equipment—it was in me. It was in the way I made people feel comfortable, the way I helped them see themselves, and the way I captured their truest essence.
And guess what? That’s the stuff they don’t teach in photography school.
Revolutionizing Visibility: The Camera as a Tool for Transformation
What I do now in Photo Club—and in my entire approach to visibility—isn’t just about taking pretty pictures. It’s about flipping the script on what the camera is for.
Instead of using the camera to capture something, we use it to reveal something.✨ It’s not about “perfect lighting.” It’s about seeing yourself without bias or judgment.✨ It’s not about mastering the tools. It’s about discovering your magic.✨ It’s not about the photos. It’s about the you who shows up in them.
This approach has helped hundreds of people—not just to get comfortable with being visible, but to reclaim the parts of themselves they thought they had to hide.
Why Visibility Isn’t Optional
Let’s talk about visibility. Everyone says, “Just be yourself!” but what they don’t tell you is how terrifying it is to actually do that. To show up. To risk being seen.
For so many people, the fear of judgment, imperfection, or simply “not being enough” keeps them playing small.
But here’s the truth:✨ Visibility isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being real.✨ It’s not about them. It’s about you.✨ And the world doesn’t need more polished, curated versions of people. It needs you.
In Photo Club, we’ve innovated a completely new way of working with the camera—not as a tool for the outside world, but as a mirror for the inside one. And it works.
The women I work with? They start taking risks. They start showing up on camera, in their lives, and for their dreams. They stop apologizing for taking up space.
And they get results. (Clients, agents, gallery owners, podcast invites—you name it.)
Why Failure is the Best Thing That Happened to Me
If I’d succeeded as a “real photographer,” I would’ve spent my life chasing someone else’s definition of success. Instead, I leaned into what lit me up, created my own rules, and built something that feels bigger than just photography.
So here’s my advice to you:Stop chasing perfection. Stop doing things the “right” way. Start asking what feels true for you—and then go do that.
The world doesn’t need more perfect photos. It needs you. Fully visible. Fully authentic. Fully you.
✨ Ready to stop hiding?Listen to the latest episode of The Goldenbrand Podcast for the full story of how failure helped me find my magic—and how it can help you find yours too.
P.S. Everything we talk about in this episode? It’s what we practice in Photo Club. And guess what? The full 8-Week Challenge KIT is live now. Dive in, get started, and join us for the next Visibility Challenge starting January 6th. Doors are open—let’s make this your year.
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