Start with what you have and get help from fellow photographers are key lessons self-taught photographers say helped them master the art
Three self-taught student photographers, Randy Biador, Rosalind Pedron and Paula Maguale, shared their journeys from humble beginnings using phones to discovering their personal styles working through challenges, using online resources and exercising creative freedom. They said despite facing impostor syndrome and technical hurdles, they embraced photography as a medium for storytelling and growth.
The beginning of a self-taught journey
Biador, a junior majoring in political science from the Philippines, said his journey began with an Android phone back home where he took photos of flowers in his garden. “I started capturing sunsets, sunrises and ordinary things around me. It made me happy to take pictures because I got to see things from a new perspective,” he said.
Pedron, a senior double-majoring in political science and Pacific Islands studies from Australia, said her journey into photography was inspired by her husband, Didier Pedron, who introduced her to cameras. “My husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, had cameras, and I had always been interested in photography,” she said. “I was also really into editing even before I knew how to take proper photos,” she continued.
Maguale, a marketing senior from the Philippines, said her passion for photography began as a child when she used her mom’s old phone to take photos and videos. “I would borrow my cousin’s digital camera whenever I got the chance,” she said. “But I got my first camera in high school as a gift from my brother, who also discovered photography while studying here,” she shared.
Overcoming challenges and imposter syndrome
When Biador moved to a professional camera, he said the transition wasn’t easy, especially when it came to editing. “Editing is hard. I needed to figure out lighting, color grading and the theme, and whether I wanted something dramatic or vibrant,” he explained. “I also learned how to highlight key elements by separating focused objects from the background.”
One of the main challenges Pedron said she faced as a self-taught photographer was finding her own style. “There’s so much great photography out there, and just because you admire it doesn’t mean it’s your style,” she said. “For me, [finding my style] was about finding my own editing presets,” she continued.
Maguale shared joining the Polynesian Cultural Center’s media team was a pivotal moment for her. “I had no prior technical experience and was intimidated by the more experienced photographers,” she said. “But I overcame imposter syndrome by focusing on why I started and rediscovering the joy in documenting life.”
Learning and resources
Biador said he learned photography through online research and trial and error. “Over time, I developed my own style, which is a blend of cinematic and dreamy, with greenish, saturated tones,” he said.
Pedron shared resources like Instagram and YouTube played a big role in her learning process, but a strong photographer community at BYUH also helped. “We learned from experienced photographers like Manu Tefan and others who have been a great help,” she said
Maguale said her growth came from connecting with others. “I joined Facebook groups and found communities of photographers online,” she said.
“Even on campus, I’ve connected with talented photographers who have helped me grow,” she shared. Maguale said she doesn’t use YouTube often for learning but prefers asking experienced photographers directly.
The creative freedom of being self-taught
Being a self-taught photographer offers more creative freedom than formal training, Biador said. “There’s no pressure to meet someone else’s expectations,” he said. “I can experiment and explore my own vision,” he added. “In formal settings, a teacher’s style or opinion can limit creativity,” he explained.
Pedron said being self-taught gives her creative freedom without oversight or deadlines. “But you do need to set your own goals and have the self-discipline to stick to them,” she added.
Maguale said being self-taught allows her more creative freedom since discovering a unique style is a personal process. “Professional training is great for technical knowledge, but when it comes to creativity, it’s something you discover on your own,” she shared.
Biador said social media has motivated him to keep improving. “I post my work on Instagram, and when people react positively, it drives me to do better and stay consistent,” he said. He also said following photography groups on platforms like Facebook and Instagram helped him stay inspired. “Seeing others’ work gives me new ideas,” he continued.
Pedron said social media has helped her find opportunities to practice and connect with others. “My Instagram feed is filled with photography content, and it’s helped me meet people who want to be photographed,” she said.
Advice for beginners
Biador and Pedron said beginners don’t need a costly camera to start. “You don’t need expensive gear to capture something meaningful,” Biador said. “The key is understanding angles, lighting and composition,” he said. “Start with what you have before thinking about upgrading,” Pedron said.
Biador’s advice for aspiring photographers is simple: “Just start, even if you have basic tools,” he said. “Ask for feedback, practice editing and don’t let challenges hold you back,” he added.
Pedron said it’s important for students to be interested in learning photography to connect with others. “Just because you’re self-taught doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Reach out to other photographers, ask for advice and seek feedback,” she said.
For students wanting to start photography, Maguale also said the key is to start with what you have. “Don’t wait for the perfect gear or the perfect time. A phone is enough to begin your journey,” she said.
Maguale added connecting with experienced photographers is essential for growth. “The feedback [from photographers] will build your skills and boost your confidence,” she said.
Expanding into videography and commercial work
Maguale said her love for photography also extends to videography. “My videography style mirrors my photography. I document life as it is, like a movie journal,” she said. “It’s a way to capture sound, movement and emotions in a way that photos can’t,” she shared.
Maguale said she worked at the PCC’s for over a year, where she handled social media and took photos for various campaigns. “It was challenging at first, especially dealing with imposter syndrome,” she added. Maguale said commercial photography required her to follow guidelines and branding, but she still incorporated her personal style. Reflecting on her journey, Maguale said the experience helped build her confidence. “I had fun working with the models and now I feel much more confident than when I started,” she said.