Hiding Behind the Camera: The Subconscious Reason Photographers Avoid Visibility with Marissa

Why You Can't Make Yourself Show Up Online (It's Not a Confidence Problem) with Miss MarissaYou know what you should be doing. Post more. Show up consistently. Put yourself out there. And yet something keeps stopping you.In this episode, I sit down with Marissa, a personal brand therapist, coach, and former national TV hypnotist who works at the intersection of neuroscience, subconscious rewiring, and personal brand identity. Marissa has 20+ years in personal branding and marketing, degrees in PR, journalism, and applied neuroscience, and over 3,000 client sessions under her belt.What I expected was a conversation about branding strategy. What actually happened was something I didn't see coming. Midway through our conversation, Marissa turned the tables and started coaching me live, on air. She uncovered a belief I've been carrying since childhood and walked me through a guided subconscious practice that I'm still thinking about.If you've ever pushed yourself to show up online only to freeze, go blank, or find yourself doing literally anything else instead, this episode will give you a completely different lens for that.In this episode, we cover:Why visibility resistance is a nervous system and belief problem, not a confidence problemHow your core beliefs form between the ages of 0 and 7, and why they're still running your business todayThe "thick book" concept: how neural pathways shape your behaviour as a photographerWhat it actually means to have a personal brand as a solo photographer (and why you already have one whether you like it or not)Why the most talented photographers are often the least visibleA live guided inner practice you can use whenever you feel stuck showing upSmall, practical steps to start building visibility even if video feels terrifyingMarissa's final message for anyone who keeps getting in their own wayTimestamps:00:00 — Introduction01:30 — Marissa's journey: from shooting her first wedding at 17 to national TV hypnotist11:52 — The difference between confidence in your skills and confidence in yourself13:25 — Stripping back belief layers: how our core stories form20:00 — The "thick book" concept and how neural pathways shape your behaviour23:21 — Ina shares her own visibility block with coaching28:36 — Marissa challenges the belief that you need to be "better" than your clients32:00 — The live inner practice begins48:07 — Coming out of the exercise: how Ina felt53:49 — People buy who you are, not just your photos01:04:23 — What is a personal brand, really?01:15:09 — Practical steps when you're not ready for video01:22:13 — Marissa's final message: there is nothing wrong with youConnect with Marissa:Website: heymissmarissa.comInstagram: @heymissmarissaUseful resources:The Pet Photography Marketing System Workshop Waitlist (enrolment opens April 30th) - get a personalised video audit on your website, pricing or offer if you enrol to the workshop and you're on this waitlist.Add your name here: https://www.inajphotography.com.au/consistent-bookings-workshop-waitlist-pageFree Consistent Bookings Audit - find your gap in getting consistent bookings: https://www.inajphotography.com/consistent-booking-audit💬 Join the Pet Photographers' CollectiveIf you want to sign up for the workshop, join the Pet Photographers' Collective, it's a free community for pet photographers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business with less overwhelm.Inside, Ina shares:✨ Practical marketing tips✨ Business lessons and mindset shifts✨ Free resources to help you growConnect with other photographers who get it and start creating a business that truly supports your life, not consumes it.Join here → https://www.skool.com/pet-photographers-collective-3125/about?ref=9c7b56d2963f48a791297a43a29109e1✨ Want to Be Coached Live?Interested in being featured on a future coaching episode? Apply here: https://forms.gle/oocMwawVB3de6aM29📲 Connect with InaInstagram: @inaj.thepetphotoceo Email: [email protected] the Consistent Bookings ProgramMentoring & Coaching for Pet Photographers — Learn More: https://www.inajphotography.com/for-photographer