As it is with any new venture, you’re constantly told what you have/should/need to do in order to be successful. Must practice. Need to buy this. Should learn that. Must do this. Need to go there. Should meet him. And of course, you do all these things suggested from well-meaning people because you want to be your best.

Same with my venture into photography. Must have this lens. Need to go to this workshop. Should have a flash website. Must shoot this way. Need to be like this. Should be willing to do that. But as I’ve traveled farther and farther down this road, I’ve come to realize that the photographers I admire most defy these rules. Rules that I had previously thought could not be broken in order to be a successful photographer. And how it has freed me!

I’ve also come to realize that if this whole photography thing is a one big competition, then there ain’t no way I’m gonna last very long. Because there will always be somebody better, somebody cheaper, somebody prettier than me, somebody with better equipment than me. So instead of trying to be the best, I’m just trying to be me. And I am not very good with rules anyway.

Here are a few of my favorite “rebel” photogs.

Jessica Claire
She is one of the country’s most successful and influential wedding photographers … and inventor of the Shootsac … and she doesn’t do ring shots! SAY WHAT?!?!?! That’s right, she does NOT shoot pictures of rings at a wedding. It blew my mind – I always thought those were mandatory. But apparently, ring shots do not a good wedding photographer make. And honestly, when you shoot weddings like she does, there are so many other lovelies to capture!

Jasmine Star
She is another one of the country’s best wedding photographers and has gained a cult following on her blog. And last I heard, she is not a member of any major photography organization. Not even WPPI or PPA. But she doesn’t need to be – Jasmine is one of the most sought-after teachers and photographers in the industry. They just WISH she would join their organization! When I found out, I breathed this huge, heavy sigh of relief. Not only had she just saved me thousands of dollars in membership fees, but it reaffirmed my belief that you don’t always have to be a member of any organization to make it!

Jose Villa
This guy is THE go-to wedding photographer, probably in the world. In fact, he shot Jessica Claire’s own wedding. His photographs are in countless wedding magazines – if you are a bride-to-be, you’ve probably already seen his work. And what is he rebelling against? The myth that you have to stay on the cutting edge in order to progress your work. Jose is a true film lover – his pictures don’t even look digital. But that explains why his work is so different than all the other photographers out there. So breathtakingly simple and refreshing.

And the rule that I encourage you to break? That you have to do what everybody says. You never know the heart or the intent behind advice, so just take everything with a grain of salt. And find what works for you. I broke my rule of never shooting weddings … which I had made early on because SO many people discouraged me from doing it. Those bridezillas aren’t worth it, it’s too stressful, you’ll end up hating photography, etc. But I broke my own rule for a good friend, and I am so SO grateful that I did.

Happy Wednesday!