why failure is your greatest teacher
This week on The MOOD Podcast, I talked with travel photographer Dario Viegas, who reminded us of something fundamental: failure is the foundation of growth. If you’re reading this and you feel stuck—like no matter what you try, progress feels just out of reach—try and frame it such that: every failure is moving you closer to success. As Dario said, “Fail as much and as fast as possible, and you’ll grow so much quicker.”
“The more you fail, the more you’re learn. It’s that simple.”
Failure isn’t easy to face. For many of us, it’s a reason to stop trying, to believe the voice in our heads that says, “I’m not cut out for this.” In his journey, Dario faced that same struggle. From his first shaky steps into photography with an iPhone 6 to grueling early years of self-funded trips, bad shots, and creative missteps, he constantly confronted failure. The difference? He learned to see failure not as a stop sign, but as a stepping stone.
“I was like, many times, going out with some idea, shooting, and coming back home thinking, ‘Oh, I failed. Why did that happen?’ And then learning from that.”
What helped Dario—and what can help you—is embracing failure as part of the process. Here are three ways to reframe your relationship with failure:
Fail Fast, Learn Faster
Every mistake teaches you something. Whether it’s lighting, composition, or client communication, each failure is a step toward mastery. “Every time that I fail on something, I grow a little bit.”
Reflect and Curate
Dario shared how COVID lockdowns gave him the time to study his own work deeply. He asked questions like: Why do I like this photo? Why don’t I like this one? This self-curation helped him refine his artistic voice. So take the time to reflect.
Keep Showing Up
Progress doesn’t come from avoiding failure—it comes from facing it. The more you “put in the reps,” the more you learn, adapt, and grow. As I like to say, be consistently patient, and have patience of consistency.
“It never works until you actually put in the work.”
If You’re Feeling Stuck…
Let me ask you this: how many times have you stopped yourself from trying because you were afraid of failing? I’ve been there too. In my early days, I thought I could shortcut the process. But as Dario put it:
You can’t avoid the work, and you can’t avoid failure. But you can choose how to respond to it.
Dario’s story reminds us that even the most successful artists started where we are—uncertain, struggling, and full of doubt. When he first started shooting, he tried to mimic others, spending hours on Instagram trying to figure out how to grow. He failed, repeatedly. But with every failure, he learned. “I was going out, failing, and learning why I failed. Then, I’d go out and try again.”
That cycle of trial, failure, and growth is what shaped his career. And it’s the same for every great photographer, artist, or creative.
A Few Steps to Embrace Failure:
Ask “Why?” After Every Failure
When a shoot doesn’t go as planned, ask yourself: Why didn’t it work? What can I try differently next time?
Revisit Your Work Regularly
Spend time curating your own portfolio. What images resonate with you? Why? Let that guide your next shoot.
Commit to the Reps
Growth doesn’t happen overnight. Put in the time, even when it feels fruitless. Remember: every failure moves you closer to success.
Photography, like any art, is about resilience. It’s not about avoiding failure; it’s about using it.
“Fail as much as possible, and you’ll grow so much faster.”
If you’re struggling, remember this: every misstep, every rough shot, every tough client interaction is teaching you something.
Tune into this week’s episode of The MOOD Podcast for more of Dario’s wisdom, and let his story remind you: failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of it.
Happy Shooting,
