Week 10: Don't Quit Photography, Your Community Cares More Than You Think


LEVEL UP YOUR PHONE PHOTOGRAPHY

WITH GABRIELLE TOUCHETTE

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Welcome to Week 10 of 2025!

In today's e-mail, you'll get:

PHOTO TIP OF THE WEEK: before you quit photography, do this

INSPIRATION OF THE WEEK: battling imposter syndrome through community

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: let your instincts lead you

RESOURCES YOU MIGHT LIKE: why pro photographer Paul Reiffer chooses iPhone photography

PHOTO TIP

Before you quit, do this

If you find yourself frustrated at a photo shoot, here’s a tip: stop what you’re doing, and go shoot something different.

Sometimes struggling through frustration or quashed expectations can leave a really bad taste in your mouth and that can add to feelings of failure.

Too many feelings of failure can lead to wanting to quit.

Instead, take a break by taking photos of something easier or more fun.

Recharge with a few quick wins, then go back to shooting that thing you were initially experiencing frustration with. I can’t tell you how often I’ve applied this tip to my own shoots, and it works wonders for me.

Remember, too many fails in a row leads to premature quitting.

Taking a break to seek small wins grows your confidence.

That's the boost you need to get through tough work.

INSPIRATION OF THE WEEK

The Richness of a Photography Community

I’ve been meaning to share with you one of my favourite photo-sharing apps, and just as I was about to feature them in this newsletter, they featured me first!

I woke up to my Glass app lighting up with notifications of new follows and likes on Monday morning. It wasn't until I opened the app that I saw they spotlighted me!

It turned out to be a happy surprise at just the right time.

In the last few weeks, I’ve been feeling discouraged about my journey as a visual artist, struggling to feel optimism about my creativity in my photography.

Sometimes, even as a seasoned photographer, imposter syndrome and discouragement will creep in.

We can get in our own heads about our own creativity, wondering if we’re falling short of the level we think we should be at.

But reading someone else’s view and interpretation of my creative work was eye-opening and such a boost, right when I needed it.

Amanda Powell wrote a lovely article for Glass about my photography, putting words to what I’ve been struggling to see in my own photos.

Getting her perspective on my photography reminded me that I should keep my self-doubt in check.

Yes I still struggle with creativity, and I still plan on tackling it with some self-assigned projects this year, but now I feel a bit more optimistic about the outcome.

This is a lesson in learning that community is crucial to the life of an artist.

If you feel like your photos aren’t at the creative level that you’d wish it was, remember that we are often our own worst critics and we need a community to work through our toughest seasons.

HOW TO COMBAT CREATIVE SLUMPS:

Get together with other creatives, join a photography community, or just hang out with other photographers.

Exchange ideas, look at each other’s work, and give feedback, pointers and encouragement.

We need it more than we realize, and without it, we suffer unnecessarily.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Leaves & Light of October

The photo of the week wasn't taken this week, but it's one I've been meaning to feature for some time. This was taken during one of my wandering photo walks, where I have no agenda, no destination, no end goal.

I just want to be lead by instincts. Often, that leads me to contrast, shadows, and the layering of different subjects together.


RESOURCES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Paul Reiffer: From Medium Format Camera to iPhone

Paul Reiffer is a commercial and fine art photographer, with a stunning portfolio of images. But he’s also an iPhone photographer. His personal view on shooting with an iPhone (when a pro camera could do a better job) is one I align with.

...it’s my phone that’s always there to offer a quick and accurate capture of what I see, regardless of any settings or equipment choices that I may make on my “big kit”.
Sometimes, taking away those choices, and just focusing on the scene in front of you, actually gives us a clearer vision and image without the internal debate (and sometimes regret) over what settings we used at the time.

Paul asks if he can take a better shot with his professional camera than with his phone - and answers "sure I can". He continues:

But that’s not really the point of the camera in your pocket, right? The idea is to capture what you see, right here, right now.

Check out his blog post to read more about his views on photography and to see his incredible iPhone photos:

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Hi I'm Gabrielle! I run a full time photography business in Winnipeg, specializing in portrait and commercial photography. This newsletter started with my passion for helping everyday people realize their full photography potential. With a bit of technical and creative help, you too can take better photos with the phone camera you already have.

Find more of my free resources:

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Gabrielle Touchette Photography


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Level Up Your Phone Photography

Simplified and actionable photo tips, with a dash of creative inspiration, to improve your phone photography skills. Learn how to create consistently good, wow-factor photos with the phone camera you already own. No expensive gear needed. Distilled from 17 years of professional photography expertise.

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