As a photographer or videographer, have you ever felt a sense of impostor syndrome, wondering how you gained more popularity than others who are much more skilled than you? It’s a phenomenon that many creatives experience, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of equating follower count with talent. But does having more followers mean you’re better at your craft? Let’s dive into why that’s simply not the case. 👇

Follower Count ≠ Talent

One of the most frustrating things for me—and for many others in the industry—is realizing that follower counts are often meaningless metrics. You can have 10, 20, or even 50 times the skill of someone else and still have far fewer followers. It can make you question your worth as an artist. I often find myself in awe of other photographers and videographers who produce absolutely breathtaking, cinematic work, only to find that they have a fraction of the followers that I do. It’s almost shocking, especially when you know how much time, effort, and creativity they pour into their projects.

Why Do Lesser-Talented Creators Sometimes Have More Followers?

There are many creators out there who simply copy and paste what they know will work. They churn out tutorials or formulaic content that appeals to the masses, and guess what? It works. They grow quickly, getting millions of followers and likes. But does that mean they are better? No. It just means they’re playing the algorithm. 📊

It can be frustrating to see creators with what I would call ‘meh’ content skyrocket to millions of followers, while those producing epic, six-month-to-complete videos are stuck in the shadows. It makes you wonder, what’s the point of putting in the effort to create something truly special?

Chasing the Wrong Metrics

In the race for followers and likes, it’s easy to lose sight of why you started in the first place. I remind myself constantly that numbers don’t define my worth or my talent. Sure, a large follower count might open doors for more opportunities, but I refuse to let it dictate how I create. 🙅‍♂️

I don’t want to fall into the trap of thinking that because someone has more followers, they are automatically better. There are incredible photographers and videographers out there who haven’t “made it” according to social media metrics, but they are doing incredible work that deserves attention.

Create for Yourself, Not the Algorithm

At the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves, are we creating for likes, followers, and virality, or are we creating to push our craft to the next level? Are we proud of what we’re putting out there, or are we simply aiming for the next ‘shareable’ moment? 🎯

Personally, I choose the latter. It’s not about how many people hit “like,” it’s about how I feel about the work I’ve produced. As long as I can continue to push myself creatively and stay true to my vision, that’s what really matters. 💪

So, if you ever feel like you’re less talented just because someone else has more followers, remember—popularity doesn’t always equal skill. Keep creating, stay true to yourself, and let your work speak for itself. Your audience will find you, even if it takes a little longer.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let the follower count fool you into thinking someone is more talented. The number of likes and followers you have is a useless number when it comes to defining your value as a creator. What truly matters is the effort, passion, and skill you put into your work. Create for yourself, not for the numbers, and the right audience will eventually find you. 🌟