I have this habit with pointing to the next person, when someone asks me a question that is directly to me. I don’t indirectly point to their face, I unwittingly redirect the person who asked me something about me or even complimented me. Burn. I know. For some odd reason. I am really good at this. Or, I like to believe I am.
Although, it started catching on to the people I loved the most, who took notice to my actions, once I started sharing my day to day shoots and campaigns with them.
For example, I had the pleasure to work with Guy Aroch. (Those who don’t know who he is look him up, his photography is absolutely fantastic) I worked on Philip Morris shoot which is the umbrella for most cigarette companies campaigns.
Okay, Now I was chosen from a very large amount of models. I know you’re thinking huge win tiff! WHAT. The most interesting part is Guy approached me , including his wife and said “You’re stunning and we loved your submission video.” we are using you for the next two days, as they introduced themselves. I thought to myself oh cool. Good to know. As I replied with Great, to meet you two. The coffee is so good… Yeah I KNOW. I froze, and immediately diminished my worth.
Oh, it gets better, the second day of shooting, we had to act out a scene and do a speaking role. I began, and Guy paused the entire production and told me to accept this moment. This is apart of my calling and I can have this if I truly want it, and get out of head. He didn’t choose me because I couldn’t do it, he chose me because he believed in me. In other words, I sucked because again, In unison ( I did not value my worth) he spoke of merit and respect. Which I admired.
Well, I did get a little stretch of letting loose and then began again, and it was exactly what they needed and more.
I’m sure by now, you get it. My worth was all out of sorts here, I had let my insecurities get the best of me, even with a win. A win that not only came at the right time, but to redefine what my worth meant to me.
I looked it up and it simply was defined as
The wealth, the riches, the good, the value, charm, refinement, style, elegance, beauty, and grace.
These were the antonyms and related words to worth. As, I read them out-loud, holy cow did I see myself, or what others have said to me. and, What I finally saw within myself.
So, what does worth look like? It looks like you.
Self acceptance. As a photographer it took me 10 years to realize how amazing my work is. I kept comparing myself and became very self deprecating. Until I finally listened to my voice and not the voices around me or the other voices in my head, but my own silent, still, voice. It validated me. Not in an arrogant way but in a “you are enough” kinda way.