Anxiety and Success

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trophies-1

Today my thoughts are trending toward success and what it means to make photographs that matter.

I'm happy to say that another draft of the China book has been completed (the one I wrote about earlier). In this version, responding to ample criticism, I've opened up the pages and included more white space, more room for breathing. I'm hopeful that this project is getting closer to finished—because there's so much other work I want to do—but the process is long, and I can't put it down until it feels like it has the right weight.

Zoe Strauss wrote recently about the anxiety she feels when nearing the end stage of a project, in this case her annual and massive I-95 exhibition in Philadelphia. Her words resonate with me:
I am confident in myself, in my work, but I am occasionally beset with anxiety surrounding my work.
She makes photos that matter, and if she feels this way then I'm having trouble breathing!

My friend Allison is giving awards randomly for stuff she likes. Love it. There are days when an award feels pretty nice.

So, step up and pat yourself on the back, if that's what it takes. We owe it to each other to keep going. Keep making pictures, telling stories, connecting, engaging, making the world. We're in it together and it matters. It does.

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