Meet Noelle Peterson | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Noelle Peterson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Noelle, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
As an artist, the struggle with imposter syndrome is something I face on a daily basis. I am constantly tuning out the voice in my head that tells me I am a failure, that i’ll never be as good as my peers, or that i’ll never get better. It can be overwhelming, but simply knowing that all artists feel this way sometimes is a huge comfort. There is no success without risk of failure, and no growth without stepping outside your comfort zone and actively working to improve. I have always been someone who loves to learn and grow, and a large part of that as an artist is learning to be self-critical, in an accurate way. The artistic process is an continuous cycle of ideas, experimentation, critique, doubt, and growth. By giving up all you accomplish is cutting short your artistic growth, and destroying any chance for improvement. You have to learn how to assess your work accurately, acknowledging the weaknesses and celebrating the strengths, and silence the doubting voice in your head. It’s a continuous struggle, but you CAN do it. And when you feel like quitting, try to remember why you ever started; the joy of creating that makes it all worth it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Though i’ve always been an artist, when I was younger I wanted to be a zoologist. I went to college for science, but part way through was diagnosed with h-EDS, a genetic disease that affects my musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. This diagnosis forced me to re-examine my life and my physical limitations, and gave me the courage to take a chance on a different kind of career. I never thought I could make money as an photographer, and honestly it has been a struggle, but I am so, so happy with my job. I truly can’t imagine doing anything else. I get the opportunity to work with all kinds of people, learn their stories, and help them capture memories they’ll cherish forever. I get to help ordinary people feel confident and beautiful in front of the camera, and make art in the process. I’ve gotten to meet some incredible models and fellow photographers who have taught me so much, and I’m grateful to them for how they challenge me to grow. I’ve had some big failures, but i’ve also had some huge successes. The thing I like most about being a photographer is that there is always more to learn, and I can’t wait to see where I go from here.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am an avid dancer, so i’ll always recommend the Mercury Cafe for a night of dinner and live music!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am without the continued support of my mother, my dear friends, and my artistic peers. You inspire me, support me, push me to be better, and I know I can always count on you.

Image Credits
Models: Crystal Piedy, Savannah Jane, Natty Wellone, Jessa Sargent, Ashley Morgan Monroe, & Georgia May Wake