claiming My Creative Identity
There’s a difference between being a creative and being a content creator. That difference might feel blurry sometimes, but lately, it’s been clear as day to me. I used to think they were the same thing. They’re not. A creative makes stuff out of feeling, curiosity, and instinct. A content creator makes stuff that fits an algorithm. There’s overlap, sure. But when my creative process started becoming all about what might perform well on Instagram, I knew something had to give.
I started asking myself: Am I making this photo because it moves me, or because I think it'll get likes? That question got uncomfortable fast. And honestly? That discomfort saved me.
Key Takeaways
Instagram started to dictate how and why I create
I lost the joy in photography by chasing algorithm approval
Reclaiming creative control meant setting clear boundaries
My photography now lives on my blog and personal site
This shift has made me fall in love with creating again
Instagram Turned Creation Into Performance
Instagram used to feel like a home for creatives. Remember the early days? Raw shots, honest captions, real community. Now it feels like a stage. And the audience is an algorithm that changes every week.
I poured so much time into my photography. Learning gear, mastering technique, chasing better light, chasing deeper emotion. Then I’d post that work, and wait. Not to connect, but to see if Instagram would even let people see it. It didn’t feel like sharing. It felt like gambling.
So I stopped.
I took my 12K-plus follower account and shifted it toward my professional work only. Headshots, portraits, lifestyle sessions—that’s where it belongs. That’s what potential clients can look at to decide if they want to work with me.
But my creative work? That’s personal. That’s sacred. And it deserves to be treated that way.
Who Is Ramon Trotman as a Portrait | Headshot | Street Photographer?
I’m Ramon Trotman. A portrait and headshot photographer by trade, and a street photographer at heart.
Creative Portfolio: Ramon Trotman's Creative Portfolio
Follow me on Instagram: @ramontrotman
Business Inquiries (Creative): perspectiveramontrotman@gmail.com
For Professional Inquiries:
Professional Portfolio: ramontrotman.studio
Headshot + Portrait Inquiries: info@ramontrotman.studio
Creating Without Validation: Why It Matters
There’s something powerful about making something and not rushing to post it. Photography, for me, is emotional. Sometimes I shoot because I’m stressed. Or happy. Or overwhelmed. I don’t always know what I’m feeling till I pick up the camera. It’s part therapy, part expression. And somewhere along the way, Instagram made that feel cheap.
If a tree falls in the woods and nobody hears it, does it make a sound? If I shoot something I love and Instagram buries it, did it even matter? Those are the kinds of thoughts that creep in when you give your art to a machine that doesn’t care.
Now, I shoot. Then I blog. And it feels way better.
Setting Boundaries To Protect My Craft
Carving Out Mental and Physical Space
Creative time needs boundaries. I’ve started blocking off time just for my work. No phone, no scrolling, no pings or notifications. Just me, my camera, and whatever mood I’m in. I also set up a dedicated creative space, even if it’s just a quiet corner. Somewhere that tells my brain, "this is where we make things."
Curating What I Consume
Social media floods you with everyone else’s highlight reel. I used to scroll endlessly, getting pulled into trends that didn’t reflect my voice. So I cleaned house. I unfollowed anything that didn’t inspire me and kept only what lifted me up. The result? Less comparison. More intention.
A Blog Instead of a Feed
Instead of squeezing my work into a caption and throwing hashtags at it, I now take my time. I write about what the image means to me. What was happening that day. What emotion I was trying to hold onto.
That’s what you’ll find on RTPerspective.com. My monthly photo blog is where I document the process and the story. No engagement tricks. Just honest work.
I’m also experimenting with Substack to give my thoughts and photography a more intimate home. If you’re someone who actually wants to see the art and not just scroll past it, you’ll love it there.
Tools That Help Me Stay Focused
Photography isn’t only about the click. It’s about editing, sharing, presenting. And lately, I’ve been leaning into tools that support me without draining me. One of those is Retouch4Me, an AI retouching plugin that’s been helpful in my professional workflow.
Funny thing—my wife noticed a big difference in the family photos I edited using it. She said they looked "crazy professional," and she was right. If I can give that level of polish to client work, why wouldn’t I give it to the people I love?
That’s the beauty of taking control of your tools and your time.
Monetization Without Selling Out
I’m building toward creative sustainability. That means making enough from my work to reinvest into gear, new projects, and the time it takes to explore new ideas.
Affiliate links are one piece of that puzzle. I’ve signed up with Amazon to recommend the actual gear I use—from my camera bodies to my lighting setups. If someone buys through those links, I get a small kickback. It doesn’t cost them extra, but it helps me keep creating.
And the best part? It feels honest. I’m not hiding anything. I’m just being real about what I use and why.
The Real Creative Experience
There’s this whole arc to the creative experience. It’s not just shooting and posting. It’s emotional. It’s layered.
The urge to create, sparked by inspiration, frustration, joy, or grief
The process of choosing gear and setting out with intention
The capture, freezing a moment that matters
The reflection, reviewing and editing the work
The sharing, offering it to the world in a way that feels right
When any part of that gets hijacked by likes, trends, or algorithms, the whole process suffers. That’s what I had to step away from.
If You’re Feeling the Same Way, You’re Not Alone
You’re allowed to pull back. You’re allowed to say "not like this." If Instagram is starting to make your creative work feel disposable, maybe it’s time to try something different.
Start small. Journal your thoughts about your next photo session. Create a blog on something simple like Ghost or WordPress. Share your images in a private group or email newsletter. Remind yourself what made you love this in the first place.
You don’t owe the algorithm your art.
Final Thoughts: Taking the Power Back
One of the most satisfying parts of this journey has been realizing that I can take back control. I can decide where and how I share. I can choose my own pace. I can separate my professional work from my personal passion.
And most of all, I can protect my love for creating.
If any of this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your story. Drop me a message, sign up for my newsletter, or just sit with your own thoughts for a while and ask yourself—who am I really creating for?
Thanks for being here. Your time is valuable, and I don’t take that lightly.
Ramon
Comments