Are you validating the wrong things?

I was recently having a gear conversation with a friend who was asking me to validate a decision they make on a new camera purchase. They wanted me to tell them that with that new camera they were going to be able to take the photographs they always wanted. I just couldn't do that. Anyone who has listened to this podcast for a while knows that it isn't the gear that makes the photo. So this week's podcast is all about the validation of our decision-making process and how it can impact our work. I encourage you to think about when and why you ask for validation of your work and creativity. Is it because you have already made a decision and you want someone to agree with you? At times, we all need to have our work validated and supported, but that is different from the need to have a decision you already made, and believe to be true, agreed with. That isn't validation; it is something else. This week we focus on how focusing on validation for agreement sake isn't always the best use of our time in our photography.