Watch Your Front Row: Protecting Your Circle as a Creative
As a creative professional—whether you're a photographer, videographer, director, or any other visual artist—you rely on support and community. But not everyone sitting in the "front row" ...
You rely on support and community as a creative professional—whether you're a photographer, videographer, director, or any other visual artist. But not everyone in the "front row" of your life is rooting for you. This blog post dives into the real, unspoken challenges of identifying who truly supports you and how to protect your energy and ambition from hidden detractors.
Not Everyone in Your Front Row Cheers for You
Think of your life as a big show, with the people closest to you sitting in your front row. While many are genuinely there to cheer you on, some sit quietly, pretending to be fans while secretly hoping you stumble. Why?
It often has nothing to do with you and everything to do with their dissatisfaction or jealousy. The more you win…the more they hate. Please, keep it up!
This isn’t a call for paranoia but for awareness. If you’re a visual creative trying to grow your business or career, the wrong voices in your ear can derail you. Their subtle negativity chips away at your confidence, making you question your worth and decisions.
For example, I will often tell photographers that you should be very mindful of whose course you purchase. You should Google them extensively and then look them up on every other search engine. That includes me if you buy one of my products - PLEASE GOOGLE ME! Make sure you respect what I teach, my career, and my methods.
Why do I suggest you research the people you get mentorship from? It’s not the money you’ll lose. Money can be earned back. It’s that you’ll end up losing hope, energy, and steam to move ahead. That is the real crime!
That is why I say, “The wrong voices in your ear can derail you.”
The Gut Check: Is Your Front Row Supportive?
If you ever suspect someone might not have your best interests at heart, try this simple but telling exercise:
Walk into a room as you normally would, and casually share some great news—something that truly highlights your success. It could be landing a huge contract, booking a dream client, or hitting a major career milestone.
THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART: In the first half-second, observe their face. Before they mask their true feelings, their initial reaction will reveal everything. That fleeting look—whether of genuine excitement or veiled discomfort—can be the gut check you need.
This test isn’t about accusing anyone. It’s about giving yourself clarity. And if your gut has been questioning someone, this quick exercise can confirm or ease your doubts.
What to Do if You Spot a Hater
Discovering that someone close to you isn’t rooting for your success can sting, but confronting them is rarely productive. Instead:
Don’t Share Big Dreams: Keep your lifelong aspirations to yourself. Their negativity won’t sabotage your dreams directly, but it can confuse or demoralize you. Protect your ambition.
Limit Short-Term Goal Updates: Avoid sharing your immediate plans or progress. This isn’t about secrecy but about preserving your momentum.
Guard Your Personal Life: Never disclose financial details, setbacks, or vulnerabilities. These can quickly become ammunition.
Instead of cutting them off abruptly or calling them out, treat them like a stranger on a plane. Be polite, share surface-level pleasantries, and never go too deep. Keep your boundaries firm, and let their access to your inner circle quietly fade.
Why This Exercise Matters
Sometimes, our desire to trust people clouds our judgment. Running this test is not about being cynical but about avoiding unnecessary heartache. Your gut feeling is almost always right, and if it’s nudging you to question someone’s intentions, it’s worth listening.
This blog exists to give you real-world challenges of being a successful visual creative. You subscribed to this blog for my true experience and advice, and this post delivers just that! Protecting your mental and emotional space is just as important as perfecting your craft.
Your Real Community Is Out There
The creative journey is challenging, but it’s also deeply rewarding. Surround yourself with people who want to see you win, who celebrate your growth, and who genuinely want to share in your successes. Whether they’re family, friends, colleagues, or fellow creatives, those who truly support you will make themselves known.
By the way, I’m launching a private community in 2025. Check back soon for those updates. I’m already working on it, already planning everything, and already…even without the newest updates…it’s crazzzzzzzy good! Stay tuned for the Discord link.
Your circle impacts everything—your confidence, your creativity, and your career trajectory. Guard your front row, and let your unique light shine without obstruction.
Subscribe to this blog for more honest insights into the life of a visual creative. Want even more tips and real-world advice?
Check out my courses and learn how to build your creative business clearly and confidently.
I hope this blog post helps in your voyage.
Walid