In the midst of Brand Camp consults (which should actually be called ‘Business Therapy’), I often find myself giving an artist permission. Permission to believe in herself, permission to raise prices, permission to fail, permission to be true to her artistic style, permission to get rid of a blog, permission to delete weddings from the website, permission to paint a wall blue, permission to use polka dots.
Consider this your permission.
If you adore something, use it. Show it. Embrace your love of plaid, your preppy side, your polka dotted background. (Keep your clients in mind, of course, but don’t let anyone tell you x, y, or z is awful if you find it remarkable.)
If you hate something, don’t do it. If you loathe blogging, find another way to reach your audience. If you are nauseated by traditional portraits, don’t show them on your website. If you abhor color photos, shoot only black and white. If you retch at the thought of digital photography, shoot film.
Consider this your permission.
You are good enough. You are brave enough. You can treat yourself and your artwork with dignity.
Consider this your permission.
Get out there and fail without beating yourself up about it. Get out there and make a friend, work with a business, hold a contest, try out a promotion. If it fails, minimize it. If it succeeds, pat yourself on the back.
Consider this your permission to succeed.
Be the fullest, bravest you on the planet. Learn and grow, certainly, but celebrate your progress as well.
Consider this your permission.
I was twenty years old and completing my degree in English before someone told me I didn’t have to read a book simply because I’d started it. It’s so simple, right? I just needed permission.
Let this be your permission.
thank you so much kristen. this is huge. I (as I'm sure most creatives are) very hard on myself. I am my own worst / hardest critic. At times I think it's good that I expect nothing less than perfection (or what clients would interpret as "perfection") from myself, but it certainly gets taxing. Thank you for the reminder that we can try new a different things and feel completely confident no matter what the outcome.
very inspiring! thank you!
I’m going to print this out and post it on my office wall! Thank you for giving me the permission I need to succeed even if I fail a lot along the way!
Nice!
Thank you! I found this through Twitter, and I'm bookmarking it. There are so many days when all of us need to read this. Today, I needed it. Thank you!
Kristen, thanks for this today! I think we need this reminder often… especially in the midst of holiday family portrait madness when everyone is yelling CHEESE at their kids
yes. yes.
You are so right! I'm a people pleaser and want everyone to like what I'm doing.. but do I like what I'm doing?
Needed this today! Thanks!
Thanks, I needed that.
i love this blog! you are so straighforward and i find myself continually saying "ohhh-she's right!". thanks
You da bomb
xo
Fabulous words. Needed to hear them myself.
Amen!
This is like food for the photographer's soul.
Thanks for the chicken soup! 
Thank You.