“For Women Only” is a new section of the blog featuring inspiring women, such as Tasra Dawson, sharing their experiences and encouragement with other women readers. Thank you to Tasra and our other blog contributors for sharing their hearts with us.
Don’t Stop Believing
Just over a month ago, I was sitting down to dinner with my husband, Ron Dawson, and photography veteran and educator, Scott Bourne. I felt intimidated, to say the least. Who was I, but a wannabe photography great. Regardless of how many images I’d taken, professional mentoring I’d received, seminars and workshops I’d attended, and shoots I’d completed, I still felt like a hack. Still cringing inwardly when I said I was a professional, since I didn’t earn a living completely with photography.
That one dinner meeting changed everything for me. Or at least it was the beginning of that change. What happened? One person, Scott Bourne, got inside my head and heart and pulled out the dark feelings of inadequacy and doubt for all to see. Fun? No. Necessary? Absolutely. He challenged my assumption that what I did wasn’t worth 50 times what I was charging.
See, my primary focus in photography is on teen girls—unleashing the true beauty of every teen girl. My work with them through my company, Teen Identity Portraits and Teen Identity Magazine, extends far beyond taking their senior portrait or school picture. It goes to the heart of who they are, builds their confidence, and challenges them to embrace their natural, true, powerful beauty.
Yet despite my ability to surface that in young girls, I had been unable to do the same for myself. Chalk it up to years of living as a woman in a man’s world. You may not like hearing that, but isn’t it still true? Definitely true when I worked as a designer at Apple. Even in photography, I’ve been to conferences where the roster of speakers is predominantly male. Nothing wrong with men, but it doesn’t engender much confidence for my own success when I see the gender of “experts” so one-sided.
Fortunately, with the encouragement and challenge of Scott Bourne, I decided to forget all of that and just make a stand, beginning that day, to be different. To someday be a photography great that could change the course of the industry and the individual worlds of teen girls across the nation. The latter being most important to me.
Emboldened by a challenge to improve my photography 300% in one year, I began a 365 day journey, tasra365, to be exact. This is my charge:
◦ Take at least 1 photo every day.
◦ Read at least 1 page in my camera manual every day.
◦ View other professional images every day.
The lessons I’ve been learning from this 365 day photography challenge have been quite unexpected. While I expected to learn more about my camera, exposure, lighting, etc., I didn’t really plan to learn more about myself as a person—and as a photographer.
The number one lesson I’ve learned? I am my own worst enemy and sell myself too short. Have you ever been there? Are you selling yourself too short—focusing on your flaws and weaknesses, rather than your strengths and passion?
Why not change it all today? It’s possible in a moment to step into a new reality and begin using your talents, gifts, and ideas to inspire and encourage the world. The world needs what you have to offer. Don’t keep it to yourself. Believe in who you are and what you can become and the world will open its arms to you.
Written by Pictage Member and Photographer: Tasra Dawson
What an awesome post. It is so inspiring! Thank you.
You asked in your story ” I am my own worst enemy and sell myself too short. Have you ever been there?”. YES!! Plenty of times and still catch myself doing it sometimes!! I started my photography career when I was 19. And not once did I ever think to myself I was in a mans’ industry. But I didn’t think I was in a womans’ industry either. I just didn’t think about it. I went and did what I did and when I ran across the man who felt he needed to help poor little me because HE thought it was in my best interest I shrugged it off not giving it a second thought. But subconsciously I presented myself as the little girl that needed the BIG MAN to help me. I considered myself great selling other photographers’ portfolios to book jobs when I was an assistant but when it came to myself it was a different story. I think this is a great challenge for women to take on and see what inner talented doors get opened up!! Great inspiration to share!! Thanks!!!
Hello Tasra,
What an amazing testimony. It is not always easy being transparent in this world and I think when we are we really connect on a deeper level with one another. Your story is an inspiration to all and thank you for sharing! God Bless! …
Sorry – I know this is for women only but I couldn’t resist. I’m very proud of you Tasra. Very proud. I had no idea that our simple dinner conversation would turn into such a big thing for you and others but I am glad it did. What you’ve done with Tasra365 way exceeded any expectations I had for you. I have no doubt you will benefit from the exercise. What’s so cool about you is that you decided to invite others to share that journey with you – now all of them are benefiting too. Very cool and well done. I am rooting for you and humbled that I was able to help in some small way.
Tasra, Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing. I was moved to tears as so much of what you said resonated with me. What an inspiration that we are not only worth it, but we can make a difference in others lives when we embrace this. I am inspired by your Tasra365 challenge and will be brainstorming on how I can do something similar and make this my own. Thank you. Many blessings.
Tasra – you are an inspriation most definitely. I just recently decided to be public about my photograhpy, after 22 years behind the camera – and I have been surprised at how personal it is for me, and how scary to commit to sharing my work with the world, for fear of not being good enough. I definitely struggle between inspiration and fear, still swinging wildly between the two, but when I see leaders like you taking the leap, it pushes me towards inspiration always. I have been a tag-a-long to your journey since SkipSchool and I’m so glad that you are getting a wide audience so you can share your story more and more. I am learning everyday how important it is to be myself…and stop trying to be that person that I think I should be. I am already important. Someday (soon) it won’t take a second thought.
I’m inspired by the phenomenon I call “the tenacity of Tasra!” She’s the real deal; her courageous challenge has as much to do with attitude as it does with artistry. All of us – women and men – will undoubtedly learn about ourselves by following Tasra’s challenge. Cheers, Tasra on leading yourself and others!
As I tweeted earlier today, I’m humbled by everyone’s heartfelt and transparent comments. Your own courage and conviction come through loud and clear in the words you write and I’m so thankful to be a small part of your life.
This journey of photography, and life for that matter, is often such a winding road that figuring out where we are or where we’re going can be both exciting and terrifying. One of the greatest gifts I’ve found on that journey are the friends and fellow sojourners that share the same road. Thank you for that and for letting me tell my story. Even more importantly, thank you for sharing yours.
Wow. That was powerful and has obviously resonated with many of us. I have been shooting for the better part of 25 years. At times I think I’m good but for the most part I am filled with doubt. I see people that have been shooting for one year book more jobs and charge much more then I do and my self doubt rears it’s ugly head. Photography is my passion and the only path I have ever really known yet I continue to not have the courage as an artist to say this is what I do and this is what I’m worth… It’s great to have communities like these to help empower each other on this journey! Thank you.
Tasra, you truly are an inspiration to photographers who believe in the depth and beauty of our work and also to those who have never seen the possibility therin.
Manifold blessings upon you as you continue on the crusade.
- Christina
This is so encouraging. As someone who is following your challenge, I must say that reading this really lights a fire up under me. I’m inspired to go for it all the way where my photography goals are concerned. Your words are empowering and emboldening. Thank you!
Your work with teens proves the real power of the woman. The ability to embrace truth,compassion and appreciate those things that are important in this world– like the image of teen girls.
It is the amazing work done by modest people all around this world,the people we rarely hear about who are the real heroes in this life.
Thank you for your honesty and for being real. It’s refreshing!
Maybe I should do another year! I like your addition of reading a page out of the camera manual every day!
Waow loved reading this blogpost. I added your rss to my blogreader.
I am a very spiritual person and I believe I was sent to this site tonight. It was as if I was reading a article about myself. I thank you for sharing and pulling out what we hide in ourselves. I like your challenge for yourself it is a great “progress in motion ” challenge! You have inspired me and my selfworth as an photographer and an individual.
[...] write a blog article for Pictage’s new series: “For Women Only.” My post, “Don’t Stop Believing” went live today. Naturally, I went to check it out and that’s when I discovered Chris [...]
I loved your article, your story is very inspiring to all. I too could not resist posting. Thank you for sharing!!
Tasra, you are such an inspiration! Thanks for posting such a moving article and sharing your heart with us. You and the tasra365 movement are such a godsend to me and I am proud to announce that today I JOIN THE CHALLENGE!! April 29, 2010 is the first day of my tasra365 journey and so far I’m off to a great start!! God Bless You.
Thank you, thank you! Why do we sell ourselves short as women? I am working on changing my mindset, and pricing! This was a beautiful story, thanks for sharing and inspiring…