Episode 29 - You're Not Invisible - You're Unclear

You’re Not Invisible - You’re Unclear

Let me start today. By saying something I know many of you are secretly afraid is true, you are not being ignored because you are untalented. You are not unseen as a photographer because the market is saturated. You are not overlooked because you started too late. You are being passed over because people don't know how to choose you. And that hurts because invisibility feels personal. It feels like rejection. It feels like you're shouting into the void while everyone else somehow gets heard. But today I want to take that weight off your chest because what you are experiencing is not failure. It is unclearness, but the great thing is unclarity is fixable.

Most photographers who come to me say the same thing in different words. I just feel invisible,
but invisibility isn't actually what's happening. What's happening is this, when someone encounters your work, your website, your Instagram.

They just don't feel guided. They don't know who you are specifically for. They don't know what problem you solve. They don't know why. Choosing you would feel safe, grounding, and reassuring. So they keep scrolling. And not because you're forgettable, but because your message doesn't give their nervous system anything to hold onto.

I also know that many photographers are trying to appeal to everyone, and that is costing you jobs, is costing you clients. It is the most common trap photographers fall into. I hear it all the time. You say things like, I work with everyone. I photograph all kinds of people. I'm open to all sessions. I get it. I know why you do this. Because narrowing your focus feels risky because you are afraid. Clarity will shrink your opportunities. Because somewhere deep down you're thinking if I say no to anyone, what if no one chooses me? But here's the truth that no one tells you.

General messaging doesn't create safety. It creates uncertainty. When clients don't immediately recognize themselves in your words, they don't lean in, they hesitate and hesitation doesn't turn into bookings.

Your ideal client. It's not browsing photography with excitement. They're browsing with self-consciousness, fear of looking awkward, doubt about their body, their face, their presence. They're looking to see if you can solve a problem with your photography. You see, they're asking silently, will this photographer know what to do with me?

I know you took great pictures of somebody else. It made them stop for a second, but what can you do with them if your language as a photographer doesn't answer that question and do so clearly they won't reach out. No matter how beautiful your images are, now here's the coaching moment. Most photographers resist if your message could belong to any photographer. It belongs to no one. And the reason this is hard is because clarity requires ownership. It requires you to say, this is what I stand for. This is who I'm here to serve. You can't serve everybody, and when you try, you're serving no one.

When you say, this is what I know how to do exceptionally well, that resonates, and that level of ownership forces you to trust yourself more than the algorithm, the trends, or any of the photographer's approval.

Let's stop for a second. I like for you to pause after this episode and complete this sentence. Without softening it, without adding disclaimers. Say this out loud.

I am a photographer for people who you fill in the blank and want to feel, fill in the blank. I, let me say that again and say this out loud. I am a photographer for people who fill in the blank space and want to feel fill in the blank.

Not anyone. Not everyone, not a little bit of everything. Be honest if you're having a hard time filling it in. Let me give you a few examples. I'm a photographer for people who hate being photographed and want to feel calm and respected, or I'm, a photographer for people who've never liked photos of themselves and want to finally feel proud. Or maybe this one. I am a photographer for people who feel invisible in their own lives and want to be seen clearly.

If your chest tightens as you say it, that's clarity activating. I know that feels scary, but here's what no one tells you. Clarity feels like exposure because when you are clear, you're no longer hiding.
You are saying, this is the impact my work has, and if someone doesn't choose you after that, it feels personal. But here's the flip side. When someone does choose you from a place of clarity, they arrive pre- trusting you. They show up calmer. They listen to your direction. They value your pricing.

Clarity brings you the right clients. Let's do a real time upgrade instead of saying, I love capturing authentic moments. We've all seen that. Try something like this. I guide people who feel awkward in front of the camera, so they never have to wonder what to do with their body or their face.

If you're saying something like, I offer lifestyle portrait sessions, try something like this. My sessions are structured so you feel supported, not exposed. You see specific language creates relief and relief creates inquiries.

Now, today's episode, it isn't really about messaging. It's about whether you trust yourself enough to define your value without apology. Most photographers aren't unclear because they don't know what they do. They're unclear because they're afraid to claim it.

But here's the truth. I want you to hear clearly. You don't become confident after you are booked. You get booked after you practice confidence.

Let me leave you with this. You are not invisible. You are in the middle of learning how to speak from truth instead of from fear. The photographers who get booked, they're not louder. They're clearer. They're clear with their message. They don't explain themselves endlessly. They don't try to be everything to everyone. They don't wait for permission to take up space. They decide who they are for and let the right people find them, and that could be you too.

Now, if this episode helped you breathe just a little easier . Or see your work differently, please leave a five star review. It helps this podcast reach more photographers who need this message right now. A
lso share this episode with one photographer who keeps saying, I don't know why no one's booking me.

Thank you for your time today. I hope this helped in some way to make you clear about your message and your value. Until next time. Bye for now.