The Habit of Pushing on Paper Walls

PROCESS | REFLECT

Most creatives eventually discover that many of their limitations were never real. They were paper walls.

I recently heard Steven Bartlett describe this idea on a ​podcast​. The concept stayed with me because creative growth often begins the moment you push against a rule you assumed was solid.

Think about your own creative journey:

• What are you doing simply because everyone else is doing it?
• Have you pushed on that wall you’ve accepted as solid, only to realize it was made of paper?
• How many “rules” guiding your photography came from trends, social media, popular editing styles, or advice from photographers you admire?

Over time, these ideas begin to feel permanent. Fixed. Untouchable.

But many aren’t.

Sometimes the biggest breakthrough doesn’t come from learning something new. It comes from realizing you never had to follow certain rules in the first place.

What makes it difficult to notice these paper walls is that they change as you grow. The walls that limit a beginner are different from the ones that limit someone ten years into their craft. Every stage of the creative journey introduces new assumptions that feel true.

When I reflect on my own journey, I realize that growth has come from questioning these walls.

The ones I inherited.

The ones I built myself.

And the ones I still mistake for concrete.

The Paper Walls I Inherited

Learn the rules. Re-create famous Instagram compositions. Master the technical side of photography first. Use presets. Visit the popular locations. Build a following. Find the box you fit inside.

The Paper Walls I Created Based on My Limiting Beliefs

Negative critique is absolute. Others must connect with my work. Advanced editing is necessary to learn. If I don’t complete difficult hikes, I’m not a real landscape photographer. Winning competitions defines progress. Don’t be too bold. Improve quickly.

The Walls That Feel Solid Today

I need 10+ years of experience before I can offer anything valuable. I need deeper expertise to pursue photography professionally. I can’t explore landscapes in India alone. There's nothing to photograph in Delhi. Rebuilding a community in India will be difficult. I’m not ready to exhibit my work.

So, maybe creative confidence is built one push at a time.

Not every wall will break. But the walls that shape your creative life deserve to be tested.

Because sometimes the difference between staying stuck and growing is realizing the barrier in front of you was paper all along.

6 Mindset Shifts That Quietly Transformed My Photography and My Life

REFLECT

In my latest blog, I explore six principles that quietly transformed my photography and continue to shape the way I see, create, and grow through this craft:

• Start before you’re ready
• Give yourself time to experience the power of compounding consistency
• Build a confidence bank
• Embody excellence as a value
• Create undeniable proof
• Choose the dream before the doubt

The advice we receive to improve our photography is often framed purely as technical; however, I’ve found that some of the most meaningful growth comes from looking inward. The way you think, observe, handle discomfort, and respond to uncertainty all influence the photographs you create. I'm grateful for the mentors who nudged me towards this path.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, creative stagnation, or wondering whether your work is “good enough,” I think this piece will resonate with you.

Recent Updates

Early Access to Death Valley Images

In December 2025, I returned to Death Valley National Park with Muench Workshops. I knew it would be one of my last chances before moving to India to immerse myself in the vast, quiet landscapes of the American West.

Since my first visit in 2024, Death Valley has stayed with me. It’s the landscape that reshaped the way I photograph. It taught me to slow down and notice the smaller, easily overlooked details.

This trip felt full-circle. I could feel the growth in both my work and my mindset. At the same time, it carried the weight of uncertainty of not knowing when I would return

Another reason this trip was meaningful to me was the opportunity to learn again from one of my photography mentors, Matt Payne. Since we first met, his advice and encouragement have not only helped shape my photography but also strengthened my confidence in my own creative vision. For that, I’ll never quite have enough words to thank him.

Over the past few months, I’ve been slowly processing the images from this journey, and you're the first to see them. I was bold with photographing what I felt was beautiful on this trip, and I hope that some of the images resonate with you as well. I’d love to hear what you think - just reply to this email!

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My Image was Featured on Brews and Views!

Being featured on Brews and Views was a real honor. The podcast has taught me a great deal over the years and introduced me to many talented photographers.

Just last month, I was joking with my sister about how surreal it would be to be featured after a few of the hosts liked some of my Instagram images at the same time. I never actually expected it to happen.

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about photography, I highly recommend watching it. Through the podcast, you learn how to really study and sit with an image. A practice that has improved my work over the years.

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