Melissa Riel Photography

courage ~ the ability to do something that frightens you

courage is something I’ve struggled with for a very long time….

I haven’t had the courage to put myself out there, to show my photos to anyone, to continue my fight with photography, or to even keep trying

courage is something I’m learning
self doubt is something I’m unlearning

despite all the struggle and negativity I’ve been through in my photography journey, I want to have courage and I want to believe in myself

I’ve decided to do it afraid ✨

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hey, it’s been a little while… 👋🏼

I honestly feel like I’ve been struggling mentally with photography lately..

so many negative things have been thrown at me lately with photography and it’s definitely been getting to my head..

I haven’t had many photo jobs this year for so many different reasons… and some of the reasons are so crazy… apparently I’m not “representation” enough..!!.. I don’t have the “clout” that hiring a “real” photographer has…… unreal, like literally unreal and shocking pay gaps… it’s all been absolutely ridiculous.…

it’s so hard to not doubt myself in these situations. Like what am I doing so wrong to get so mistreated? Maybe I’m too kind? Do I suck at photography? Is it because I’m just me?

I’ve been overlooked my entire life but things have just gone too far now and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do….