When you start a business—or even just step into motherhood—there’s no shortage of opinions. Everyone has advice, and it can feel like a constant wave of noise. As a photographer in North Carolina who has been running my business for nearly 15 years, I’ve learned that one of the biggest challenges isn’t just learning new skills, but figuring out which voices to listen to.

Noise shows up everywhere:

• In business: “You need to niche down!” “Start a blog!” “Get on Pinterest!”

• In photography: “Always shoot in RAW.” “Use Lightroom, never Photoshop.” “Stick to one preset.”

• In motherhood: “This method worked for my child, so it should work for yours.”

The truth? Not everything works for everyone.

My Big Example: RAW vs JPEG

If you’re a photographer, you’ve probably heard the debate: You must shoot in RAW.

I’ll be honest—I don’t. In 15 years of running my business, I’ve shot and edited almost exclusively in JPEG, and it’s worked beautifully for me.

Here’s why:

• JPEG saves space: I don’t constantly need new external hard drives.

• It keeps me focused: I don’t overedit when working with JPEG files.

• It matches my workflow: For my clients and my style, JPEG delivers what I need.

That said, I edit for other photographers who work in RAW, and I can absolutely see why they love it. RAW gives them more flexibility, especially if an image is underexposed or overexposed. Some couldn’t imagine working any other way—and that’s great!

But here’s the key: just because it works for them doesn’t mean it has to work for me.

How to Filter the Noise

Instead of trying to take in every piece of advice, I follow this rule:
Do what works for you—until it doesn’t.

• If something is helping your workflow, your family, or your business, keep doing it.

• If it starts causing problems—like storage overload, stress, or inefficiency—pivot and try another way.

• Don’t stick to a method just because everyone else swears by it.

This mindset works in parenting, too. A strategy that works for one child—or one family—may not work for yours. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It just means you’re learning and adjusting.

The Noise Gets Quieter Over Time

Here’s the good news: the longer you practice trusting yourself, the less the outside noise matters. You’ll still hear opinions, but they won’t shake your confidence.

You might win some, and you might lose some. But if, overall, your choices help you feel aligned, efficient, and fulfilled, then you’re on the right path.

So whether it’s in business, photography, or parenting, give yourself permission to do what feels best for you—and let the rest of the noise fade away.

Final Thoughts

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by opinions, advice, or “rules” you’re supposed to follow, remember this: you know your life and business better than anyone else. Try things out, gather your own data, and stick with what works until it doesn’t.

The less you listen to the noise, the quieter it becomes.