Courage

Usually, there is a bit of discomfort when you have to be in front of the camera.  It might be because you do not like being the centre of attention or that you are insecure about your nose or your weight.  Whatever it is, it’s hard to be completely comfortable with the idea of getting your picture taken and it takes courage to step into the studio. As a portrait photographer, this is something I see on a regular basis with my clients, and just as often I am in the fortunate position to witness them find their bravery and daring to be in front of the lens. This is the reason I wanted to write about courage: to voice my admiration for all my customers who take the leap and have the courage to step in front of the camera.

Carmen Granger - Life and Business Coach

“Courage” is defined in the Oxford dictionary as “the ability to do something that frightens one” or “strength in the face of pain or grief.”

Two different definitions of courage are common in psychological literature: courage as approach despite fear and courage as noble action taken voluntarily and despite risk. While these are just a few definitions of courage, you will rarely find courage being defined as the complete absence of fear or not being scared at all, no matter which dictionary or other resource you consult - it is always explained as acting in spite of your fear and not letting fear hold you back from doing what you want to do. I find this inspiring, especially when seeing my clients embody the very definition of courage during our sessions.  The author Ambrose Hollingworth Redmoon shared this sentiment in his famous quote:  “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.” 

The word “courage” comes from the the Latin word “cor,” meaning “heart” and from the Old French word “corage,” meaning  "heart, innermost feelings; temper."

Many psychologists and researchers see courage as “the first of all virtues: the one that makes all others possible.” In other words, being courageous first allows all your other good qualities and strengths to shine through, just as having the bravery to step in front of the camera allows your smile to be captured at its best. Having the courage to take that first step, whatever it may be, thus opens doors to personal growth and new opportunities in many different aspects of life. There is also a consensus that courage is a skill that can be practised and learned. In this way, you can think of courage as a muscle that can be improved through training and practice.This a helpful reminder that, even when we aren’t feeling particularly courageous on a given day, that doesn’t always have to be the case.  

I’ll leave you with this quote from Nelson Mandela that perfectly encapsulates my view on courage and how I see it in the brave clients whose portraits I get to capture: 

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”