Playing It Safe Will Ruin Your Creative Career

Are you holding back in your creative career out of fear of failure? Take an unfiltered look at the importance of taking risks, stepping outside your comfort zone, and embracing uncertainty as a pathway to growth.

This video by photographer and multi-creator Moja explores why playing it safe is the ultimate creativity killer. By focusing solely on “sure things,” creators risk stagnation, missed opportunities, and a lack of fulfillment.

Moja shares personal anecdotes about projects that didn’t go as planned, investments that felt daunting, and decisions that required courage—but ultimately led to career-defining breakthroughs. One powerful takeaway is the value of personal projects as a proving ground for creativity. Moja emphasizes that these self-initiated ventures often pave the way for bigger opportunities, whether through showcasing unique skills, building a portfolio, or gaining confidence in your artistic vision.

Another key point is the financial side of creativity. From when to rent or invest in specific gear to turning down low-paying but time-consuming jobs, the content of this video provides a nuanced perspective on the risks creators must weigh and underscores that while failure is a possibility, avoiding all risk guarantees you’ll never fully reach your potential.

Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, or any type of creative, this video is a compelling reminder to rethink your approach to safety and fear. Watch the full discussion above and get ready to reignite your passion for pushing boundaries, creating opportunities, and simply making it happen.

Kim Simpson's picture

Kim Simpson is a photographer based in the West of Scotland. Her photographic practice is an exploration of the human experience, with a particular emphasis on themes of identity and belonging.

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2 Comments

My personal thoughts... if you feel at ease on a shoot then you aren't giving it your all, reacting and thinking outside of the box will bring more successes. Time to break a sweat!

Thats a good perspective! Personally, I think with the right prep, a shoot can be a breeze.. but depending on what you are shooting, sometimes there is room to push for more. I like to give what I promised to deliver, and then some more on top.