You can have all the talent in the world. You can learn perfect lighting, sharp edits, flawless vision, but if you're not surrounded by the right people, none of it will matter. That’s the part no one tells you. Talent isn’t the issue. The real issue is isolation.
I’ve seen incredible photographers and filmmakers burn out not from lack of skill, but from lack of support. That’s why every creative needs two circles. The circles are two very real, very necessary communities in their life.
This isn’t optional. It’s survival.
The Personal Circle
This isn’t about clients or followers. Your personal circle is the group of people who really know you, and they are the ones who celebrate your wins without needing to understand every detail of your job. They cheer for you. They check on you. They hold you accountable. But not everyone in your life is cheering.
Some of your biggest critics are sitting in the front row of your life—old friends, family, people who pretend to support you but secretly hope you fail. They disappear when you’re winning. They go silent when something good happens. Or they casually downplay it as, “That’s cool, I guess…” And the right people will make you better. The wrong people will make you bitter.
I call these people the quiet haters in your front row. And if you're paying attention, you’ll see them. Then it’s your job to clean house. Keep this personal circle clean—a beautiful place. Perhaps right now you don't have a circle; maybe you are lucky enough to even have a triangle. That's OK. Treasure these people, but they alone won't take you to the level of success that you deserve.
Imagine being an airplane and one of your engines fails. That means it's not safe. You are prone to all types of danger, and this is where we have a dire need for the second circle.
The Peer Circle
The second circle is your peer group of other creatives who actually understand the work. These are the people who know what it feels like to deal with vague feedback, unrealistic deadlines, or clients asking for free usage.
Your mom might support you, but she’s not going to help you write a licensing clause. Your best friend from high school can’t walk you through a scope-of-work email. They'll try to understand but have no concept of the importance of a test shoot—the dance you must perform just to get a social media tag. And frankly, you don't have the time nor energy to explain it to them. This is why it's essential that a second circle takes place—or, if we're using the airplane example—a second engine.
You need people who’ve lived it, creatives with experience, clarity, and generosity. People who share solutions, not vague advice. Focus on getting a circle like this more than you need a second lens or another light.
Without both, you’re building alone. And no one gets far that way. When I make videos to help photographers and filmmakers with their careers, I often mention that 99% of my jobs came from my peers or personal relationships. I've had the agents and managers, but for me, the second circle was more of an asset.
Surround yourself with people who push you, protect you, and remind you why you started. You don’t just want these people. You need them to survive this industry.
The question is, do you have either of the circles? Or are you one of the lucky ones who have both? The video goes into more detail about finding your second circle and how to see if the first circle has haters or not. It's your choice, but if it were up to me... I'd say you deserve a whole lot of success!
Well written and very true. I am lucky to have both circles.
I haven't thought of it, but you're certainly onto something here. Burning out is so real when you struggle to remember why you've started, so having people reminding you that or pushing you to go further could be very important. I usually go through my old works and smartshow 3d slideshows I've made with my photos some time ago to remind myself I'm actually capable of something, but I can see how this may not be enough.
I would include your cheerleaders and honest, friendly and accurate critics whose input you value and respect, and who do truly want you to succeed, whether they're creatives or not, in your personal circle.