Why Posting My Work Online Feels Vulnerable
(and Honestly Kind of Weird)
Posting my work online is one of the strangest parts of being a photographer. Not because I don’t like my work. Not because I’m embarrassed of it. Not because I don’t believe in what I’m doing.
It’s weird for a different reason.
It’s weird because the second I post something, I become visible.
And being visible and seen is vulnerable in a way that people don’t always talk about.
There’s this assumption that if you’re a creative person, you must be naturally confident. Like if you’re putting your work online, you must be fully comfortable with being perceived.
But I don’t think that’s true.
For me, posting is a constant tug-of-war between two things that are both true at the same time:
I want to share what I’m proud of. And I hate the feeling of being watched.
The Weirdness of Being Perceived
I don’t know how else to explain it except this: when you post your work online, you are giving people access to you. Not just your photos, but your taste, your eye, your style, your choices. The way you see the world.
And that’s personal (at least to me anyway).
It’s not like posting a random meme or a casual update. When you share something you created, it feels like you’re saying, “This is what I think is good. This is what I think matters. This is what I notice.”
And then you just… wait.
You wait while people scroll past.
You wait while people look and don’t react.
You wait while people you know see it and say nothing.
You don’t always get feedback. You just get the awareness that people saw it. And there’s something about that that feels oddly exposed.
It’s Not About Attention. It’s About Risk.
I think when creatives talk about wanting support online, it gets misunderstood. People assume it’s about attention. But for me, posting isn’t about attention. It’s about risk.
It’s the risk of being judged.
The risk of being misunderstood.
The risk of being ignored.
The risk of feeling like you’re trying too hard.
The risk of someone thinking you’re annoying for promoting yourself.
And the weirdest part is that even when no one says anything negative, your brain can still fill in the blanks. Because silence can feel like an answer.
When People You Know Don’t Engage, It Hits Different
I don’t expect strangers to hype me up. That’s not realistic. But it’s hard not to notice when the people closest to you don’t show up. Not because I need constant praise, but because it’s such a small thing.
A like.
A comment.
A “love this, this is so good.”
Sometimes it feels like you’re posting into a room full of people you know, and they’re all just staring at you without saying anything. That sounds dramatic, but that’s honestly what it feels like. And when you’re already fighting imposter syndrome, it makes you question yourself even when you know you’re capable.
The Awkward Part: Promoting Yourself Feels Cringe
I think this is something a lot of people relate to, even outside of photography. Promoting yourself feels awkward.
It feels like you’re bragging.
It feels like you’re asking people to care.
It feels like you’re taking up too much space.
Even when you’re literally just sharing your work. Even when you’re doing what you’re supposed to do. Even when you’re trying to grow.
It’s a strange experience to be both the creator and the marketer. To be the person making the work and also the person responsible for making sure it’s seen.
Sometimes it makes you want to disappear.
Why I (try to) Do It Anyway
Even though it feels vulnerable, I keep posting.
Not because I’m trying to convince people I’m talented. Not because I’m chasing validation.
I post because:
- I want people to find my work
- I want to connect with clients who resonate with my style
- I want to build something sustainable
- I want to create opportunities for myself
- I want to document what I’m proud of
- It's also fun
And honestly, I post because I’m building a career. A real one. And you can’t build something in silence.
I’m Learning That Being Seen Is Part of the Job
This is the part I’m still working on: accepting that being perceived is not optional if you want to create publicly.
If you want to photograph people, you have to let people see you. Not every part of your life. Not everything all the time. But enough that people feel like they know what you’re about.
Enough that they trust you. Enough that they can picture themselves in your work.
And that is both beautiful and terrifying.
Final Thoughts
I’m still working on the mental block of creating content around my work. Not because I don’t have anything to share, but because content feels like a different kind of visibility. It’s not just my photos being seen. It’s me being seen. My voice, my choices, my personality, my presence.
And that part is harder.
There’s a vulnerability that comes with being perceived, especially when you’re someone who cares deeply about what you make. Because once something is posted, it’s out of your control. People can interpret it however they want. They can love it, ignore it, misunderstand it, or scroll past it without thinking twice. But I’m learning that being seen is not the same as being judged. And visibility doesn’t have to mean performing. It can simply mean showing up honestly, consistently, and letting the right people find you.
I’m not fully there yet. But I’m practicing.
And I think that counts.