You know that little voice in your head that says, “Don’t do it—it might go wrong”? Yeah, I’ve listened to that voice more times than I care to admit. Especially when it came to shooting photos in direct sunlight.
For years, I avoided it like the plague.
I’m a self-taught photographer for the most part and it seemed that every article, tutorial, and video I watched warned me about the dangers: harsh shadows, blown-out highlights, you name it. So, I played it safe and stuck to golden hour or overcast days.
But last year, something shifted. I made a promise to myself to stop playing small, especially when it came to experimenting with my craft. That’s when I met Jakiya.
She was one of the models at a brand shoot I did for a client, Lydia, owner of Cloudmakers Decor for her annual bridal show magazine. There was something about her energy that made me think, I’d love to shoot with her again. So after the shoot, we exchanged info, and less than a month later, we planned a test shoot together.
I didn’t have a grand plan, just a simple moodboard with neutral tones, oversized clothing, and florals. Jakiya showed up with an oversized tan button-up for one look, an oversized white shirt for another, and a whole lot of confidence. I grabbed a bundle of baby’s breath flowers, and we headed to a few spots uptown in Greenville—a garage here, a neutral wall there.
Then it hit me: it was 2 PM. Direct sunlight. My old nemesis.
I could’ve panicked, packed up, or rescheduled. But instead, I took a deep breath and decided to trust myself. I’d spent years learning about light, angles, and exposure—why not put it all to the test?
I treated the sunlight like a studio strobe, exposing for its intensity and using it to create bold, directional shadows. I guided Jakiya into poses that embraced the light instead of fighting it. And let me tell you—the results were magic.
The photos had this incredible glow, this raw, editorial vibe that I’d only ever dreamed of creating. They looked like something out of a fashion magazine, and I couldn’t have been prouder.
That shoot taught me something far bigger than just photography: trusting yourself is everything. When you let go of fear, when you lean into your knowledge and instincts, you open yourself up to possibilities you didn’t think were there.
And here’s the thing: this isn’t just about photography. It’s about life. How many times do we hold ourselves back because we’re scared of failing? How often do we second-guess ourselves when we already know what we’re doing?
So here’s my takeaway for you: whatever it is you’re facing—whether it’s trying something new, stepping out of your comfort zone, or breaking a so-called “rule”—trust yourself. You’ve learned, grown, and prepared for this moment more than you realize.
And if you fail? That’s okay. You’re one step closer to creating your own kind of magic.
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