Let’s talk about the importance of community.
/By: Seema Miah, Aberdeen, Scotland / Associate Member of Headshots Matter
It can be tricky to show your creative work with others as it is so personal to you. It requires some level of self-belief that your work is worth sharing.
I find that particularly challenging as someone who is very introverted. Plus, growing up, I didn’t know anyone making money from their creativity. I was convinced that it was important for me to get a ‘proper job.’ It’s taken me a long time to accept that my creative work matters just as much as anyone else’s. Even if I do find it hard to put myself out there and in front of the camera, like in this self-portrait.
I invested in a lot of mentorship over the past couple of years in order to become a better photographer, and to that end, I’m so glad to be part of Headshots Matter. HSM is an international community of portrait and headshot photographers who support each other in their creativity, and in their entrepreneurial pursuits.
I have joined (and left!) many other photography groups but HSM is one of the few groups I will continue to be part of, because they genuinely care about, and champion the work of their members.
Dwayne Brown leads the Headshots Matter network and he is one of the kindest mentors I have met. He is also an incredible headshot photographer in his own right. It’s been great to get the encouragement from Dwayne and many of the other HSM members to put photography work out there.
Dwayne asked me recently if I would like to answer a Proust-inspired questionnaire. It was great fun to complete and helped me recall some fond memories, like my most favourite travel adventures. I did get that awkward feeling afterwards - did I overshare? Were my answers a bit dull?! But one of my goals this year is to not worry so much about these things.
Thank you Dwayne and your team for gently encouraging me out of my comfort zone, and for creating such a fantastic community.
Seema Miah
