Comparison is the thief of joy. We read about it on the internet… on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest. It’s one of those little motivational sayings you see from time to time.

I can’t be alone in saying that every so often I come across work by a wedding photographer and I am in awe, but at the same time I am left feeling completely and utterly rubbish. Thankfully this doesn’t  happen much and I’m usually inspired and motivated by what I see. But when the negative mood hits, it can certainly knock my confidence.

Another saying I have come across is that ‘the only photographer you should compare yourself to is yourself’ and tonight I finally put this into practice. I pulled out some shots from the first wedding I ever did. Yes, it did make me cringe. No, it wasn’t incredibly awful, but as one always striving for perfection, going back to your first work can certainly make you squirm. It instantly struck me how much I’ve improved, and how my style has really come into its own.

After a little session in Lightroom I was surprised how easily and effortlessly I was able to ‘fix’ the pictures, proving that my editing has come along in leaps and bounds without me noticing. I was left feeling surprisingly cheerful and the negative worthless gloom had once again lifted.

We all strive to improve our photography, but we often spend too much time thinking about where we want to go, rather than reflecting on how far we have come. When one of these moods hits, take a  moment to remember your first wedding. If you’re feeling adventurous, pull out your pictures and take a second to appreciate your work.

Go on, give it a go. I dare you.