DiscoverThe Photographer MindsetWhy Success Doesn’t Feel Like Success
Why Success Doesn’t Feel Like Success

Why Success Doesn’t Feel Like Success

Update: 2025-11-24
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Description

Why does success often feel like a moving target? In this episode, we explore the highs and lows of the creative journey, from embarrassing shoot stories and drone disasters to the mindset shifts that keep us as photographers inspired. Expect honest reflections on the pressures of social media, the pursuit of passion over perfection, and why the creative process never truly gets easier.

Expect to Learn:

  • Why reaching milestones doesn’t always bring the satisfaction you expect
  • How to stay true to your creative values
  • Why reaching a new level in your craft often feels normal or underwhelming
  • How to protect your love for photography by setting boundaries


Sponsors:

Thanks to Tamron for sponsoring this episode! Their Holiday Instant Savings are here! Save up to $300 on select lenses for Sony, Nikon, and FUJIFILM mirrorless cameras now through January 11th, 2026. Explore here at www.tamron-americas.com 

Thanks also to the National Park Foundation for sponsoring today’s episode. Enter the Share the Experience photo contest for a chance to win $10,000 and prizes from Celestron, Historic Hotels of America, and YETI. The grand prize winner’s photo could be featured on the America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass. The deadline to submit is December 31st 2025!

Submit your best shots now at sharetheexperience.org/tpm


Our Links:

Join our subreddit where you can share stories and ask questions:
https://www.reddit.com/r/photographermindset/

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Thanks for listening!
Go get shooting, go get editing, and stay focused.

@sethmacey
@mantis_photography
@thephotographermindset

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Why Success Doesn’t Feel Like Success

Why Success Doesn’t Feel Like Success

Seth Macey & Aaron Mannes