Move first.
The courage will follow.
I had a draft ready to share about confidence; how most people think it comes from being prepared, but it actually comes from momentum.
I planned to share how, as a photographer, I’ve always been more critical of my work than anyone else. And I know this isn’t unique to photography:
Writers wait until their manuscripts are polished.
Painters wait until every brushstroke is perfect.
Athletes wait until the “ideal” training cycle.
Parents… well, waiting until you feel ready is a myth.
But lately, I’ve learned that confidence doesn’t come from waiting for the work, the proof, or the perfect timing.
It comes from creating in the quiet.
This year has been slow. Some of that’s been intentional, and some… just life and the world unfolding on its own timeline.
But instead of seeing that as a setback, I’m anchoring into the wealth that surrounds me. Friendships, mentorships, mentees, new relationships, and the endless awe and wonder of the magic that still exists in the world. ✨
I’m treating this quiet year as an invitation to experiment, collaborate, and try the ideas I’ve been holding onto “for later.”
Some are going great.
Some… need to go back to the drawing board.
But all of them are building something: momentum.
Here is what I’m uncovering.
1. Waiting drains confidence.
The longer I held back and resisted, the louder the self-doubt grew.
Images piled up on hard drives.
Ideas collected dust in notebooks.
The more I “saved them for later,” the more invisible they became, both to others and to me.
2. Momentum creates confidence.
Every time I shared something imperfect, my voice became clearer.
Every time I put one foot in front of the other, I grew stronger.
Every time I tried something new, my confidence expanded.
Momentum gave me proof that action builds clarity.
Small wins stacked into rhythm, and that rhythm built confidence.
3. Connection beats cohesion every single time.
And honestly, this year forced me to live that lesson. Instead of chasing momentum through bookings, I decided to build it through curiosity.
I could’ve waited for work, inspiration, or things to “pick back up.” But instead, I took the quiet as an invitation to make something just because I wanted to.
That decision led to an unexpected project….
that reignited a creative spark.
One day, I saw a friend’s Instagram story, and it sparked an idea, one of those lightning-bolt moments that barrel straight from imagination to execution.
I said the idea out loud.
Then I took one small step, and another.
Momentum started to build.
The idea? To create a dramatic portrait backdrop at Cake Cabaret, a space overflowing with performance, art, and energy.
Those few nights behind my camera were pure creative revival.
The connections with guests and performers were real and electric, each portrait an exchange of trust and curiosity.
It reminded me of how I felt as a photography student: daydreaming up elaborate portraits and having the energy and imagination to bring them to life.
As much as my Type A personality loves the business side — the contracts, invoices, and structure that support it all — my deepest confidence and joy come from connection.
When expectations shift away from “What’s the rate?” to “What can we make together?”, something beautiful happens.
Creativity’s heartbeat starts again.
And confidence follows right behind.
Here’s the reminder I needed, and maybe you do, too:
If you’re waiting for perfect, you’re waiting too long.
If you’re waiting for confidence before you share, you’ll be waiting forever.
That unique gift you (and only you) have isn’t complete until it’s shared.
Confidence doesn’t come first.
Momentum does.
When you move, when you share from that space of curiosity, connection, and creative flow, you reconnect to the heartbeat of your work, whatever that looks like for you.
I’m grateful I can practice this in my photography.
I’m grateful I can model this for up-and-coming photographers I teach and mentor.
And I’m thankful I can now share more about this journey to a broader audience through my keynote and my workshops.
This is exactly what I speak about with creative professionals, educators, and leaders: how to reframe setbacks into possibilities and use curiosity, courage, and storytelling to move forward with confidence.
If your team or event could use a reminder that growth comes from movement, not perfection, let’s connect. You can learn more about my keynote, Adjust Your View, or my workshops here.
With gratitude,
Jen
P.S. If you’re a photographer or creative who wants to go deeper, this is precisely what we’re exploring inside The Photo Collective this month: how to build confidence through momentum, not waiting for perfection.
Join us for behind-the-scenes process shares, creative prompts, and a supportive community of artists in motion. Subscribe to my paid Substack for monthly prompts, tips, and insider creative strategy.
P.P.S. If this post was helpful, I’d love it if you could hit the restack button. It helps the message reach more people, and it reminds me to continue providing content that supports your growth.
P.P.S. If you’re a creative and you’re craving a community full of curiosity, then check out The Photo Collective. It’s a paid Substack subscription with monthly how-to drops, case studies, a place to connect and more!