Inspiring Video Shows a Photographer’s Improvement Over a Decade

Marina Williams

A photographer has shared a montage video of her photographs over the last decade to show how much her work has improved over 10 years.

Marina Williams, who is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, reveals the incredible journey in her photography over the last ten years in a viral TikTok video which has amassed over 3.4 million views.

@marinawphoto over 10 years of growth. never give up on your dreams ♥️ #photographer #photomagic #photography #portraitphotography ♬ Ticking – TIN

The clip begins with a seventeen-year-old Williams picking up a camera for the first time in 2012 and ends with the photographer shooting huge campaigns including one with pop star Olivia Rodrigo for Disney+ in 2021.

The video drew thousands of comments from social media users who were amazed by the astonishing progression in William’s work over a decade.

Williams — a portrait photographer and educator — spoke to PetaPixel and says she posted the montage to show other artists what can be achieved with time and practice.

“I made this video because I think it’s important for creatives to remember that nothing great happens overnight. I can definitely be frustrated when I try at something new and I’m not immediately good at it, but when I see other artists post their journeys, it always reminds me that it takes so much time, practice, and hard work to achieve the results you want,” says Williams.


The 27-year-old hopes to inspire others to keep working towards their dreams and that self-belief can get you far in life.

“The reaction to this video has been so incredible. People have left comments saying things like ‘this inspired me to pick up my camera again’ and nothing is more rewarding than being able to be a part of someone else’s journey. I feel like at times we can get caught up in the perfectionism of social media and compare our work to others in a negative way, but my hope is that this video encouraged the opposite reaction.”

Wiliams encourages photographers to experiment with friends, consume education, study photographers, and shoot every day if possible.

“To photographers who are just starting out, it’s so important to try things outside your comfort zone. The most I’ve grown artistically is when I attempt something outside my wheelhouse – so, whether that means trying a new lighting setup or learning how to use Photoshop, you’ll never get to where you’d like to be if you don’t experiment.

A lot can be learned in a decade. Asher Svidensky shared the ten tips he wishes he knew ten years ago as a photographer, while Rachel Lena Esterline spent a decade winning the trust of strippers to create a fascinating photo series — which began when she had only ever taken pictures on her iPhone.

More of Williams’s work and information on the education and events she runs can be found by visiting her website as well as her Instagram and TikTok


Image credits: Header photos by Marina Williams, and Instagram embeds used throughout at her request.

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