The Power of Saying No

When I first started Ryan Glass Productions, I would take anything. I mean anything. I was hungry, eager, still figuring it out. Someone could’ve asked me to film a dog’s birthday party in exchange for a cold sandwich and I might’ve done it.

At the time, I wasn’t thinking about worth. I was thinking about reps. I was thinking, “If I just keep saying yes, one of these things will open a door.” And for a while, that was true. I needed those reps. I needed to mess up, to burn out, to feel the sting of undercharging and overdelivering. That was my crash course in creative entrepreneurship. It wasn’t pretty. But it was real.

Now, years later, I’ve learned that saying yes to everything is just another way of saying no to yourself.

So let’s talk about saying no...not in a bitter, cynical, “I’m too good for this” kind of way, but as a creative discipline, a form of respect, and maybe most importantly, a way to stay in this for the long haul.

Know Your Worth (Even When It Feels Weird)

This one’s hard because no one teaches you how to price your passion. There’s no rulebook for valuing a service that’s equal parts technical skill, creative intuition, years of experience, and emotional labor.

I’ve undercharged. I’ve overworked. I’ve done 15-hour edit days for a $500 check. I’ve promised turnarounds that left me stressed, grumpy, and questioning why I even got into this. And I’ll be honest - part of me was afraid that if I raised my prices, no one would come.

But here’s the truth: when you undervalue your time, your talent, and your boundaries - you teach others to do the same.

Saying no to lowball offers, unrealistic timelines, or clients who don’t respect the process doesn’t make you difficult. It makes you wise.

It says: “I care about the work too much to do it halfway.”

Be Selective. Protect Your Peace.

One of the hardest things to learn, especially if you’re a people pleaser like me, is that not every client is your client.

Some people just want a body to hold a camera. Others want a button-pusher, a miracle worker, or someone to say yes to every unrealistic request without pushing back. That’s not me. That’s not what Ryan Glass Productions stands for.

I want to work with people who trust me. People who see storytelling as a partnership, not a transaction. People who care about craft, clarity, and impact.

When I take on the right projects, the whole thing flows. I enjoy the process. I show up with energy. I deliver work that actually means something. When I say yes just because I need a check or don’t want to disappoint, I usually end up disappointing myself most of all.

So now I ask: Will this project grow me? Will it help someone else grow? Will I be proud to put my name on this?

If not, it’s a no. Or at least a “not right now.”

Always Be Learning

Saying no gives you the time and space to say yes to growth.

I’m not just a videographer. I’m a student of this craft. I’m constantly watching, reading, experimenting, trying to understand the why behind great stories. When I’m not shooting, I’m learning. When I’m not learning, I’m reflecting. When I’m not reflecting, I’m probably on YouTube at 1am down a rabbit hole about lighting or narrative structure.

Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a calling. And if I want to do this for the long haul—not just for a quick bag. I’ve got to keep leveling up. I’ve got to stay curious. Stay open. Stay honest about what I don’t know.

That doesn’t happen when you’re drowning in projects you don’t care about. It happens when you create space to grow.

Experiment Like a Beginner

You don’t grow if you don’t try weird stuff. Period.

Some of the things I’m most proud of weren’t big-money jobs. They were experiments. Random ideas I tried for fun. Vlogs about my garden plot. Edits that didn’t have a client attached. Voice memos that turned into storyboards. Moments I followed a feeling just to see where it went.

That freedom to experiment, to play, is the lifeblood of any creative person. But you can’t do that when your calendar is jammed with “safe” work.

Saying no to comfort opens the door to creativity.

Try something strange. Make something that might fail. That’s where the good stuff lives.

Support Other Creators (We're All We’ve Got)

This one’s simple: the industry doesn’t need more gatekeepers.

If I’ve learned anything from building this business from scratch, it’s that we rise together. Share knowledge. Send referrals. Collaborate. Shout people out. Encourage the folks who are still grinding.

We all start somewhere. Most of us start with nothing but a dream and a camera we barely know how to use.

I’m not interested in being the best. I’m interested in getting better—and helping others get there too. If I can help someone else avoid the mistakes I made, or if my journey can give someone the confidence to keep going, that’s worth more than a viral reel or a perfect portfolio.

Let’s be builders, not just of content, but of community.

Final Thought

Saying no used to scare me. Now it feels like freedom.

It’s how I protect the integrity of my work. It’s how I stay sane. It’s how I keep showing up for my clients, my creativity, and myself.

If you’re reading this and feel like you’re drowning in obligations you never actually wanted...pause. Breathe. Remember: you’re allowed to choose. You’re allowed to pivot. You’re allowed to build something that’s actually yours.

This is your reminder, from someone who’s been there, that saying no isn’t selfish.

It’s sacred.

And it might be the thing that saves your spark.

-Ryan

Founder of Ryan Glass Productions