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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Panza" data-source="post: 380904" data-attributes="member: 28379">Hi guys, I'm a little lost from my experiences this year and appreciate some help.TLDR; When did you start becoming happier with your photography? After how long were you shooting for when you felt this way?     I had been shooting with one digital camera for years, then my cellphone camera, and then a cheap DSLR, all on automatic for years. Traveling, car events, casual hang outs with friends.  I found it really fun so I started bringing my DSLR everywhere, the quality was much better and every now and then I could get a picture that was really great.      Little over a year ago I attended a company party for a job in which I was newly hired. I brought my D7000. Someone asked how much I charged to take pictures of their event and asked me about another event. I was scared, and it hit me. I'm not that good (or nearly as good as other people on Flickr, Tumblr, and professional photographers). I'm just a shy guy who brought a DSLR and a kit lens to a company party because I had just started and I knew next to no one, but I could hide behind my camera so I wouldn't be seen playing on my phone all night. They only thought I was a professional because they had never seen me before and I had a camera.     I took pictures of the event and the next because I felt up to the task and tried my best. I posted the pictures up for the company for free and I had a lot of positive feedback and more event offerings. Even though I was scared, I suddenly wanted to get better. I bought a cheap 35mm F1.8 DX lens for the speed (and cheap cost) and kept the 18-105 kit lens for the zoom (just incase). I continued shooting for prices that seemed low because I wasn't confident in myself.     I was offered to shoot custom furniture products for a company and in a scared rutt, bought a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 because I heard I would need a wide angle lens (now one of my most favorite lenses). I also bought some simple lights and fill flash. Nothing beyond what I profited. I continued shooting events until finally here in winter, I've stopped being asked to shoot events (until next year).     I started shooting for enjoyment again, landscapes, I missed it. It's given me time to get out into the city and nature, reflect on my photos, my technique, and my gear. I've started really analyzing what can I could do/buy to be better. I feel a little bit intimidated by all these great shots that wedding and other event photographers take. It's so much fun, but I want to deliver a product worthy of what people want from me. I'm honestly in a bit of a depressive slump. How long were you all shooting until you became more confident, proud of your work, more consistent, etc. Feel free to write your long histories of how you got to where you are now, no matter how large or small, I'll read it all. Thanks for reading my long post.- Pan</blockquote>

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