How your mindset could be holding you back from success

Do these thoughts sound familiar?
It will happen when I have…
I am not making money because the industry is saturated…
I don’t have time…
I don’t have enough money to make this work…
As a fellow photographer, these thoughts sound awfully familiar. I have blamed others for what I don’t have. Felt like there were too many photographers and there wasn’t room for me. I have felt like I haven’t had enough money to invest in my business to make it work. Have you ever thought that your mindset could be holding you back?
These thoughts can be so exhausting and not only that they can be holding you back from success. It’s part of our subconscious mind and it can be hard to switch your thinking into positive. But it’s not impossible and trust me when I say it’s the best thing you will ever do for yourself. Not only yourself but your business too. When you shift your mindset you can start attracting more success, more clients, and stop living in fear. By stepping outside of your negative thinking you can achieve so much more.
I teach a lot about finding the right clients, how you need to stand out from the crowd and be true to yourself to get found by your ideal audience. You don’t need millions of couples who get married every year, truth is you only need like 20. So focus on them and not all the other couples or other photographers. When you find your authentic voice and identify your unique style you will be able to attract your clients. Ones that were made for you. Stop searching and trying to fit into every market. That’s not how you’ll attract the kinds of clients you dream of working with.
Did you identify yourself in any of these four most common negative mindsets as a photographer?
And you might be asking “but how can I switch the mindset”?
Four common negative mindsets
Pointing the blame at others
It’s so easy to blame others. We all do it. I know I do, and have done in the past. When everything goes wrong we are quick to shift the blame to someone else. The sooner you take responsibility, the sooner you can take action and move forward.
The fix – Take responsibility
Not believing in yourself
We are so hard on ourselves and we are our worst critics. No wonder our mindset doesn’t feel so good. We need to start believing in ourselves and be our own best friend. Treat yourself as you would a best friend. If you do this, it opens so many doors for you and your business. When you step into your inner confidence so much magic can happen.
The fix – Remind yourself each day how incredible you are
Seeking approval of others
One common thing that we are taught from a young age is to look outside yourself for approval. We seek approval from everyone outside of us. Instead we need to start going inward and finding the approval within. You know the answers and you have the authority to give yourself approval.
The fix – Ask yourself for approval and accept it
Being someone that you aren’t
Being in business as photographers we can get caught up in pretending to be someone else to get clients. It can be so exhausting pretending to not be your authentic self. Start stepping into yourself and show up as who you are. That’s when you attract your dream clients. And that’s when the true magic happens in your business.
The fix – Start being your true self and only speak your truth
Did you identify yourself in any of these four most common negative mindsets as a photographer?
So you may be asking “but where do I start and how can I switch my mindset”?
Four ways you can change your thinking.
Instead of – “It will happen when I have…”
Try – “I am ready now and I have everything that I need to succeed.”
Instead of – “I am not making money because the industry is saturated…”
Try – “I am stepping into my authentic business and I will attract my dream clients.”
Instead of – “I don’t have time…”
Try – “I am making time for my business.”
Instead of – “I don’t have enough money to make this work…”
Try – “I don’t need hundreds of dollars to make this work, I will use what I have and make this work because I deserve it.”
Do you feel like your mindset is holding you back? What are some of the strategies you can use to change it?
Let me know in the comments below or contact me!


Hi, I'm Ingvild
I spend as much of my time as I can being outside taking photos of happy couples in love. I live with my dog and boyfriend in Norway, and I love traveling the world in search of beautiful locations and love stories.