How Much of Your Art Is Actually Yours?
Acceptance, self-expression, inspiration
Recently, a photographer posted a before-and-after comparison of their editing from 2018 versus now, asking if we also saw changes in our own work over the years. Naturally, I think we should all see differences if we compare work that's years apart. If it's the same, have we really grown as artists, writers, or photographers? Curious, I scrolled through my social media, rolling back the years. And something started to surface.
Though I have formal training as a photographer, I have to admit, I was intimidated by digital editing when I finally picked up a digital camera (yes, I learned on film). Coming from a darkroom background, where everyone had to master the basics, I was unsure where to start. So, I looked to others, hoping to find a standard, a norm to follow.
There I was, emulating photographers I admired on social media. Their advice helped me become comfortable with editing, but I also noticed something else: it wasn’t work I loved. It was work I did. There is a difference. I did it because I was learning, because I was fitting in.
Fast forward to today, and here's what I've noticed: My work now better reflects my ideas and my way of seeing the world. It's less driven by what others are doing. Of course, there's still a time and place to learn from others and do what's expected. When we factor in social media's influence, we also encounter the matter of acceptance.
This drive for acceptance can be a slippery slope—one we may not even realize we’re sliding down. It’s present in the subtle choices that gradually lead us away from our artistic integrity: in the way we check how others did it first, or tweak our work to make sure it’s “right.” And it applies across mediums, whether we’re choosing a word, adjusting a colour, or framing a shot.
Let’s be honest: it doesn’t only apply to art but also to life.
It shows up when we stay silent in the face of wrongdoing, hold back our true way of being, or choose work because it’s seen as more respectable. It’s in every “yes” we say when we want to say “no.”
If your self-expression is rooted in a need for acceptance, are your efforts driven by what’s best for you, or for others? Does your art and your work help you explore your thoughts, your life—does it add depth, energy, and meaning?
What would you create if no one else’s opinion mattered?
I understand that we’re social creatures. Isolation isn’t the answer. Writing off societal norms or ignoring the world around us won’t make us better people or artists. Often, it’s through responding to or resisting these norms that meaningful work is created.
But knowing yourself well enough to recognize when acceptance is driving your work can bring clarity to your choices.
Am I doing this because I want to be seen as part of a community, to build connections, to learn and grow?
Or am I doing this to fulfill someone else’s expectation, ultimately dampening my creativity to fit in?
Here’s what I know as I look back at my work. I’m grateful for the time spent learning, participating in community, and seeking acceptance with curiosity. Now, I’m in a different phase. I know I am accepted for who I am, and those who connect with my work show it—in the messages they send, in their requests to print my photos, in the discussions we share about art. It’s our individual differences that drive growth. I hope to nurture these connections, to be challenged by difference, and to continue creating work I’m proud of—because I wasn’t afraid to show what I think and care about.
So, I ask you, as I ask myself now:
What are you doing to gain acceptance?
Why?
Inspiration to Forge Your Own Path
Miles Davis – Music
Miles Davis never stayed in one place, creatively speaking. A jazz pioneer, Davis reinvented his sound across his career, moving from bebop to jazz fusion and beyond. For him, sticking to the “accepted” style wasn’t an option. He wasn’t afraid to alienate listeners if it meant exploring new musical landscapes. And that willingness to evolve, no matter how uncomfortable, transformed jazz itself. His work stands as a testament to the beauty and power of growth, daring other artists to follow their own creative paths rather than conforming.
Isaiah Shepherd, a.k.a. @SteezyKane – Video
Isaiah Shepherd, a.k.a. @SteezyKane built a YouTube following based on prank videos - now, he’s shifting his focus to film and TV with scripted episodes inspired by shows like Atlanta and Fleabag. Jack and Isaiah sit down to discuss his bold transition from a prankster with millions of subscribers to an avant-garde screenwriter. Join us as we discuss his unique creative process, the challenges of blending scripted and real scenes, and his decision to move past the pressures of trying to please the algorithm.
Henri Cartier-Bresson – Photographer
Henri Cartier-Bresson saw photography as more than capturing images; for him, it was about seizing what he called “the decisive moment”—that split second where everything aligns. A pioneer of street photography, Cartier-Bresson ignored staged scenes and polished portraits, choosing instead to capture real life in motion. His work wasn’t about pleasing trends; it was about revealing the world as he saw it, raw and unpredictable. By trusting his instinct and intuition, he shaped modern photojournalism, leaving a legacy that urges photographers to look beyond what’s accepted and capture what’s true.
As his work is not public domain, I recommend you browse Magnum Photos, I personally am loving:
Personal Work
I stood at the edge of Teatr Letni, or The Helena Majdaniec Summer Theatre, with my father. Peering into the darkness, I listened as he recounted coming to see big acts. It was a glimpse into life in 1970s Poland.
Hey, you made it to the end! I have a little secret for you. I've officially hit a 365-day streak on Duolingo practicing Polish. I've never had formal schooling, so reading and writing are things I struggle with. My goal for 2025 is to complete one book in Polish. To help with this, I picked up a graphic novel, Harry Potter, and a Stanisław Lem book from my grandpa's bookshelf while in Poland. The plan is to progress from the graphic novel to Harry Potter, and finally to Stanisław Lem. It's been a way to hold on to a language I grew up with but now rarely get to use.
Loved this piece of writing. Always so thought provoking, and I love the question- what are you doing to gain acceptance? Apply to art...(and for me, running)...apply to life!