As photographers and videographers, what is your aim when you capture a shot? Whether it is to tell a story or capture a moment in time, you want to share your vision and make it your own. Like Ansel Adams said, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” When you take a shot, it’s about making the shot, using what’s in front of you and experimenting with setting and lighting to create something extraordinary.

For almost every artist or profession out there, whether you may be a photographer, graphic designer or business person, there’s always going to be criticism. And we know, it can be deflating to hear negative criticism. But the one thing we’ve learnt is that you can’t grow and get better at what you do without a bit of feedback and criticism. The important thing here is to bounce back up, to keep going and pursue your aspirations.

Are you an artist? Artists are people who create, practice or demonstrate art. We are story tellers, communicating emotion and aim to inspire our audiences. You may be thinking, “I don’t paint or draw,” but art takes many forms. The most important take-away is to be inspired, but create your own style. Reflect on the work of others and reinterpret it into your own, original style.