Community Over Competition: Why This Oregon Photographer Believes in Lifting Each Other Up

Community Over Competition: What I Learned in Namibia (and at the Oregon Coast)

When I was 18, I spent a summer in Namibia on an anthropology study abroad program. My project focused on how the Ovahimba women express their place in the community and family through dress, hairstyles, and jewelry. It was an incredible summer and I learned to love a culture and people across the world from my own family — but the biggest lesson I brought home had nothing to do with fashion or hair. It was about the power of community.

A Life Lesson on Community

One afternoon, I sat with a group of women while the owner of the home had her hair done by a friend. That friend had hiked half a day through the hills to be there — something she did every few months. She stayed for several days, working on her friend’s hair.

At first, I wondered why she didn’t just find someone closer. But it quickly became clear that this wasn’t just about hairstyling. It was about showing up, sitting together, and serving one another. It was about investing in your people. This was community, lived out beautifully.

Why “Community Over Competition” Matters in Photography

In the world of photography, you hear the phrase “community over competition” often — and it’s more than a trend. It’s a mindset I believe in deeply. But here’s the thing: for community to actually thrive, we can’t just want it. We have to build it. That means being intentional. Offering help. Cheering others on. Sharing ideas. Giving without expecting something in return.

A Soul-Filling Photographer Retreat on the Oregon Coast

Last week, I had the chance to experience that kind of community first-hand at a retreat on the Oregon Coast with a group of incredibly talented Pacific Northwest photographers. We photographed together, edited side by side, swapped stories, played games, laughed a lot, and soaked up the creative energy. It was life-giving in the truest sense.

A huge shoutout and thank you to Becca Jean Photography from Portland, Oregon, who created and hosted the retreat. She not only made it happen but fostered a space where collaboration came naturally — where photographers could be learners, leaders, and friends all at once.

As someone who spends a lot of time working solo — behind my camera, behind a screen — this retreat reminded me that connection matters. And community doesn’t just happen. You build it. You invest in it. And when you do? It gives back tenfold.

How to Build Your Own Creative Community

If you’re a photographer or creative longing for more connection, here are a few ways to start:

• Leave thoughtful comments on others’ work

• Refer clients when you’re unavailable

• Invite someone out for coffee or a photo walk

• Say yes to creative shoots just for fun

• Attend or host a photographer meet-up

• Share what you know without fear

Be the friend who “hikes the hills to do someone’s hair.” It’s not about the task — it’s about the presence.

Final Thoughts

In a world that often pushes hustle and comparison, let’s choose something different. Let’s choose community over competition. Let’s choose to lift each other up. Because when one of us grows, we all do.

Like the styling for this session? Check out this post with tips for styling your family for photos: What To Wear For Your Oregon Family Photos

Ready to book your own family session at a gorgeous Oregon location? Contact me here: Send Me A Message