Sometimes I’m convinced that I’m my own biggest obstacle!
I get so caught up in what I don’t know or can’t do that I forget to be mindful and grateful for the things that I can do.
For example, sometimes when I’ve got my camera in my hands, I get so frustrated because I have a picture in my mind’s eye, and just can’t always seem to make the camera see and capture what I want it to. Like this picture of my Just Like DoubleTree Cookies yesterday…
I was trying to get it to soften around the edges, but no matter what settings or angles I tried, I just couldn’t seem to get it. *Sigh* It wasn’t what I wanted, so I sold myself short.
Just a year ago, I didn’t know what half (or really any) of the buttons on my camera meant or did, and all my pictures were either under or over-exposed or just plain awful. Now I’m shooting most of my pictures on manual.
There are times when I’d take a shot I was really proud of, like these Pink Lemonade Cupcakes.
When Foodgawker turned the picture down, I again doubted myself… I was still proud of the shot, but I was afraid to submit another photo because somewhere deep down inside I wasn’t ready for their rejection again.
I began to focus on what I still didn’t know about food photography and styling instead of seeing just how far I’ve come.
Some days I just have to remind myself that Foodgawker was just about the only thing on the planet that didn’t like those cupcakes! They’re still the most viewed recipe on my blog, and they’ve been pinned and repinned so many times I’ve lost count.
I finally plucked up the courage to submit another photo. And this time, Foodgawker said yes! They accepted this picture of my Biscoff Cupcakes with Biscoff Buttercream…
Sometimes I just need to have a little more faith in myself and stop letting my self-doubt get in the way of my own success!
What’s stopping you from achieving your goals? (<-Click to tweet this)
Congrats on getting accepted
I’m totally with you in this, I felt the same when I got rejected but they gave me a little push to keep researching, I haven’t submitted anything else but looking back I’ve learned a lot!
Congrats on Foodgawker accepting your photo!! I can’t even tell you how many photos I submitted before one got accepted. Like you, a year ago, I had no idea what most of the buttons on my camera did. Shooting in manual wasn’t even a consideration then. I’m not using manual 100% of the time yet, but I’m getting there and I’ve definitely come a loooong way.
Congrats on getting accepted by Foodgawker. Your pictures are so good that after looking at yours and some other bloggers I feel like changing my camera. I am also a totally non technical person. I don’t even know all the keys on my computer.
You go girl! I am glad your photo was accepted but even happier to hear you are trying to ignore that niggling little voice of all you can’t do because you are awesome and your blog is great!! I wish I could do as photos as pretty as yours! We are all in the process of learning and growing.I know I sometimes feel embarrassed and wonder if I should quit blogging when I feel like I am such an underacheiver at it. But I look up to people like you who do such an awesome job and hope I can improve. Keep up the good work and don’t let set backs make you question!! I look at both those photos – the one that made it and the one that didn’t and think they are both stunning!
Jen
Hang in there girl!
I have been feeling the same way about my food photos. I need to learn more about my camera, but first I need to make the time to do so.
I also need to dig a little deeper to find my inner creative person. It’s blogs like yours that help me see I can do it too! Thank you for the good work you do!
I think alllll of your pictures are gorgeous! I’m actually really surprised the didn’t accept your pink lemonade cupcakes! That picture is great. They are not easy to please, but you’ve made it now! Congrats for that! All of these photos are lovely, I’d like to pick a sample of each right off the screen!
Congrats!! I totally get in my own way too. I don’t think I can do it, so sometimes I don’t even try. Or it is harder than I think and give up. Need to get over that!!
Jen…congrats on your photo being accepted to Foodgawker! You know….I am a HUGE fan of your photography! The food porn sites are really hit and miss. And it’s true….that some of our best pictures, are so readily rejected. Mine often get nailed on composition. (I like to take a lot of close ups which they don’t seem to like). And I can’t even figure out how to size my pictures for Tastespotting! So I just continue to take the pictures that I think will show my food the best! Like these cookies….I think this picture is absolutely perfect! And they look absolutely scrumptious! : )
I still remember those pink lemonade cupcakes. They’re so pretty!
I loved those cupcakes when you first posted them and I’m shocked you care what Foodgawker thinks
I honestly never go to the site or check what’s being shared (I know, I’m missing out) because obsessing over photos just isn’t my thing. But I’m so glad Foodgawker wised-up and accepted your Biscoff cupcakes…
I remember seeing your pink lemonade cupcakes the very first time I visited Pinterest!
A rejection from a foodie site can ruin my day as much as coming home from a “I feel pretty” afternoon and realizing that I had a piece of spinach stuck in my teeth the entire time. There is nothing more frustrating than wanting to share a recipe with the world, and feeling like it’s stuck behind a “composition too tight” wall. Personally, I think those cupcakes are worthy of a magazine cover.
Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason as to what’s accepted and what isn’t. So just keep trying, and know that you’ll always have Pinterest.
Jen, I always find the most down to earth yet thought provoking insights on your blog… loved this post and you’re so right, we focus on all the ‘want’ stuff without celebrating our accomplishments and all that we’ve evolved into. It’s part of our collective impatience but it doesn’t serve us well. (Foodgawker rejected every single one of my posts for 5 months straight – but I didn’t give up… it’s all part of the curve – keep doing what you love – I think your pink lemonade cupcakes rock!
).
We’re always our own worst critics, aren’t we?
Just wanted you to know that I’m giving you a Liebster Blog Award
I appreciate your blog AND pictures!
Congrats on getting on Foodgawker, Jen! Like you, I think I get in the way of my own success. I’m too much of a Type A person and want everything to be perfect … sometimes I give up much too soon because I think things aren’t going well. My kids have actually inspired me to perservere more because if Mom gives up what am I showing them, right?
As for blog pics and posts? I like to take a look back at my first few pitiful posts to see how far I’ve come. I may not totally understand my camera. I may not be the fanciest cook on the block … but what I blog about comes from the heart and that has to account for something!
Congrats on the Foodgawker acceptance! I keep submitting and I got two accepted, but it is really dumb luck when I get a “gawker-worthy” photo. I am just about to start an online photography class so that I can learn what the buttons on my camera do. I have the same issue with self-doubt and a huge fear of failure, so then I don’t even make the attempt. Starting a blog has been a huge leap of faith, but I am learning so much and having so much fun. I hope I can carry this over to other areas of my life and have more confidence. Thank you for this post. Both the Foodgawker rejections/acceptances and your openness with your struggles with self-doubt really resonated with me.
I couldn’t imagine foodgawker rejecting any of your pictures! I think each one of them is truly beautiful. Nonetheless, congratulations on being accepted. the cupcakes like every other picture looks great.
I think this post just about sums up what most of us feel. It’s easy to get caught up in the failures and not focus on the positives. Like yesterday for me…one of my lowest hits days in a long, long time. I was feeling terrible. Today is a totally new and different day. Thanks for the encouragement in this post.
I can only dream that my photos turn out as nicely as yours! I still can’t figure out what the heck the food photo websites are looking for :/ Keep doing what you’re doing, I love it!
I share your frustration Jen! I take all my photos on manual too and wow, what a learning curve huh? I’m still somewhere near the bottom of that curve slowly trying to inch my way up. I know that I really need to invest in a new lens. It’s sitting on my Amazon wish list. I’ll spring for it one of these days. What type of camera do you have?
I find Foodgawker infuriating – they reject things which tastespotting accept, and likewise, accept things that tastespotting reject, and sometimes things I’m really proud of are just thrown out the window. It’s all about practice – it makes perfect after all, but I share your pain!
I submit everything to both Foodgawker and Tastespotting. I’m probably have about a 60% approval on both sites. It bothered me a little at first when I got rejected, but now I just keep submitting photos and I try not to take it personally. I’ve also quit figuring out what those sites like and don’t like. It’s so subjective anyway. I try to learn more about photography and improve my skills and I’m happy with whatever they accept. I do see a difference between some of my earlier photos and what I’ve taken recently. I’m definitely improving.
daisy
Congrats on Foodgawker accepting your photo! I haven’t been brave enough to submit anything to Foodgawker… Maybe I shouldn’t be my obstacle too.
I think most non professional food photographers struggle with this, I know I do! I also made pink lemonade cupcakes some time ago and loved the pictures only to have them turned down from every site. It OSS easy to doubt yourself, but I just think it’s that much more motivation to keep trying. I love both pictures, for the record!
Negative self talk is the biggest hindrance in our lives — glad you overcame those and well done with Foodgawker
All your photos look amazing…and congratulations on being accepted by Foodgawker…they’re so fussy!
Thank you for the photo’s that make me want to run to the kitchen and the inspiring words! I joined your blog after finding it through Nami’s blog.