Create Courageously: How to Push Artistic Boundaries with Confidence

In this episode, D’Arcy and Ayanah discuss what it’s like to pursue a creative endeavor. They discuss where they source inspiration, how to build confidence, and how to handle rejection. They even dive into some of their favorite photographs and how they created them. Hit play!

Meet Ayanah:

Ayanah George is a digital and film photographer based in Washington DC. She specializes in female portraiture and is inspired by the work of Kehinde Wiley. Passionate about the representation of women as majestic and elevated, her portraits often use florals and patterns, representing growth and harmony. She has been featured in Travel & Leisure, American Illustration – American Photography 39, Analog Sparks and the Washington Historical Society.

Being an artist is a beautiful thing but it doesn’t come without challenges. From transitioning between photography genres to overcoming creative blocks, difficulties arise at all different points in our journeys. Here you’ll learn how to uncover your unique talents, find inspiration, and overcome rejection as an artist. 

1. Learn to pursue personal passions and prioritize your personal fulfillment:

One key aspect of cultivating creativity is pursuing personal projects. By working on projects that align with their artistic vision, photographers can tap into their true potential and create work that is uniquely their own. In the pursuit of any creative endeavor, it is important for photographers to prioritize personal fulfillment over external validation. By focusing on capturing images that resonate with their artistic sensibilities and reflect their vision, photographers can create work that is truly meaningful to them.

2. Where to seek inspiration:

Seeking inspiration from other artists and immersing oneself in the world of portrait photography can provide fresh perspectives and new ideas. By exploring different artistic influences, photographers can expand their creative horizons and develop their unique style. Movies can offer a wealth of inspiration for photographers. They can provide new visual perspectives, narratives, and aesthetics that photographers can draw upon to enrich their own work. Exploring different genres and styles of movies can help spark creativity and push artistic boundaries.

3. Overcome your creative blocks:

Creative blocks are common challenges that artists face. Overcoming these blocks often involves embracing exploration and experimentation. Trying out new ideas, techniques, and approaches can help photographers break free from constraints and find renewed inspiration

4. Understand that art is subjective:

Selecting and assessing portraits is a subjective process. Each viewer may have a different interpretation and emotional response to an image. It is important for photographers to trust their own artistic instincts and choose portraits that align with their vision and intention.

5. Framing and presenting your art:

The way a photograph is framed and presented can greatly influence its impact on viewers. Thoughtful framing and presentation can enhance the storytelling and emotional resonance of a portrait. Photographers should consider how to best present their work to create a lasting impression.

6. How to deal with rejection:

Rejection is an inevitable part of the creative process. It is important for photographers to not let rejection diminish the value of their work. Instead, they should focus on preserving their artistic integrity and continuing to create and share their portraits.

7. Get comfortable with change and growth:

Engaging in any form of art is not only a creative journey but also a transformative one. It requires courage to explore new ideas, take risks, and push oneself outside of the comfort zone. This journey can lead to personal growth and artistic transformation.

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Browse Ayanah’s Portfolio

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Click here for Ayanah’s website

Learn more about Kehinde Wiley

View Kehinde Wiley’s Portrait of Barack Obama