For too long, history books made photography sound like a boys’ club. But that was never true. Some of the most daring, poetic, and unforgettable images came from women who refused to wait for permission.

At some point, every photographer discovers the “masters”, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Josef Koudelka, Richard Avedon, Diane Arbus, and the rest. Their work inspires us, challenges us, and often overwhelms us. But here’s the danger: admiration can easily turn into worship. And when you worship another photographer, you stop being yourself.