EP. 27 If You Feel Like a Fraud in Photography, Listen to This

Why Imposter Syndrome Hits Photographers Hard and What Actually Helps!If you love photography but constantly feel like you are pretending this episode is for you.If you worry someone will one day tap you on the shoulder and say: you do not belong here you are not alone.Feeling like a fraud does not mean you are unqualifiedMost of the time it means you are growing faster than your identity can keep up.This episode is for you if:• You feel like you are not good enough• You compare your work to other photographers constantly• You avoid calling yourself a photographer• You downplay your wins or skills• People praise your work but you do not trust it• Visibility feels scary instead of excitingIn this episode we reflect on the past week including Leo shooting five surf sessions, Nami being in holiday mum mode and getting back into work tonight. Launching our new Biarritz date and confirming our villa plus our final NZ workshop (and no we are not adding another date haha)In this episode we cover:Why imposter syndrome is so common for photographersThe truth nobody tells you about feeling like a fraudWhy women photographers feel this more intenselyWhy chasing confidence makes it worseWhat actually helps when imposter syndrome hitsWe talk about how imposter syndrome shows up, not because of lack of talent, but because creative work is personal you are putting your eye and heart into the world, you compare your year 2 to someone else’s year 10 and there is no clear external validation in photography.We break down the deeper truth that imposter syndrome is not proof you should quit, but a sign your artistic identity has not caught up to your growth.Nami talks about moving countries to reinvent her identity and what her close circle would think Leo shares how she felt tiny when she started surf shooting.We also talk about why women photographers feel this harder because of conditioning to stay small fear of visibility and tall poppy culture.Finally we share what actually helps:Building safety before confidenceLetting your identity catch up through skill buildingInvesting intentionally in education and communityStaying in your lane and honouring your paceRemembering that confidence is a byproduct not a starting requirementThis is your reminder that feeling like a fraud does not mean you are doing it wrongIt means you care!And it means you are becoming.Save this episode for the days imposter syndrome hitsWith love,Leo + Namiaka The Female Soulpreneurs ✨⁠💘 Join us in Raglan on the 21st of February 2026 (last spot)⁠⁠💘 ⁠Join us in Raglan on the 14th of March 2026⁠ (3 spots)⁠💘 Join us in Sydney on the 11th of April 2026⁠ (half full)⁠💘 Join us in Biarritz France on the 18th of May 2026⁠Find us online: The Female Soulpreneurs (Yes, that's us!) ⁠⁠@thefemalesoulpreneurs⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leonie: @surfgirlnz⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Nami: @nami.creative