I had a hard time sleeping last night...I was very disturbed over some things that I read yesterday from several fellow photographers...I've debated all day whether or not to write about it but I feel very strongly that I should "voice" my opinion on these matters...I'm sure I'm going to get feedback but I feel so strongly about this...I've decided to launch a campaign to be POSITIVE and encourage others, not tear them down!!!
I've only been the business for a year...I've learned alot, made alot of mistakes, cried alot, smiled alot...you get the picture!!! One thing that has been constant though is negativity from others....now don't get me wrong, everyone is not like this but it's amazing that through all the positive, it only takes one negative comment to bring you down...you've heard the one bad apple ruins all the good...well, the same can be said for being negative!
I'm really tired of seeing all the "seasoned" photographers tear down those who are just starting out! It amazes me how they are so quick to judge, condemn, tear apart and just be downright mean to others who are just following their dream! Didn't THEY have to start somewhere? How many photographers do you know that all of the sudden jumped on the scene charging high dollar and producing perfect pictures? I don't know of a one and yet people are constantly writing on their blog and facebook complaining about another photographer charging less, or copying or taking an idea and ruining it...so what? I would like to know one photographer out there who has not gained inspiration from others? I dare say there is not a one....
It all comes down to the clients! So what if photographers are brand new and charge less...as long as their client is aware of and it's ok with them, then let it be! I'm so thankful for those who took a chance with me and booked me for their wedding knowing that I had only shoot a few others...I'm so thankful for that first family to trust me with photographing their most prized possession...I would not be where I was today if not for my clients...I give them what they ask for and my focus is ALWAYS on them...that is what it's about people...our clients!!!!!!!!
We should focus on just making ourselves better...stop looking at other's work and condemning it!! So what if you would not have used that prop, or that angle...so what if you would have not edited that way...get off your high horse and start looking to see how you can make improvements in your own work! You might look at that picture and see all the things YOU would change but you know what...that client might have looked at that picture and cried because they loved it so much....that's is what's important!
I'm sorry to sound harsh but I'm done with the negative comments...if you can't say something nice, please don't say it all!!! My business is all about my clients, it's how it started, it's how it always will be! If I take the same pose over and over again because it was requested by my client, then I'm doing it! If I have a request from a client to do a "themed" session and I know that it's already been done before by another photographer...I'm going to go with it and just add my own touches to it! Just because it's been done before doesn't mean it cannot be done again! I share what I know with others...I take it as a compliment when someone asks for my help...we should be confident enough in ourselves to not feel so threatened by others...there is so much joy in helping others...I personally do not want to miss out on it!
Ok, so I've "vented" for today...I seriously have just been so disturbed, I had to get it off my chest...
I have to be honest... this is one of the many reasons that I had for shutting down my business. It's funny that once people start to figure out who you are others become so jealous that they let that jealousy take hold and run with it. It's a really sad part about this business :/ I'm super proud of you and can't wait to see everything you accomplish in 2011!
ReplyDeleteYou have taken the words right out of my head! There is WAY too much negativity in the photography world-between photographers. Everyone has to start somewhere and there will always be someone new, someone cheaper, or someone less experienced but we should encourage them to become better craftsmen. We should support them to bring up the industry standard as a whole instead of shutting them down with negative feedback.
ReplyDeleteJulie...what God gives only let God take away.
ReplyDelete1 Corinthians 13:4-5
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;"
People really NEED to practice the greatest commandment, love. I am super new at this as well, am just getting my portfolio together but I LOVE seeing others succeed. I think it is SAD that others can't be open to another photographers gifts. I hope that you can set them aside, as I am sure I will have to, and let them just be jealous.... it is their loss!
Vent away! I hope you haven't been personally persecuted like this..you are an amazing photographer! I believe deep down those who say such cruel things are insecure about their own work and have to put others down to make themselves feel better! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteLori Stein
I agree! When I first started getting interested in photography I started checking out tons of blogs and facebook pages. I saw so many comments that were negative that once I finally got my camera I was scared to share my first shots with anyone. I am still really nervous, still have tons to learn, and with so much other stuff going on in my life right now I know my skin is not as thick as it should be, so I keep these photos to myself and a certain few photog friends that I know will help me without bringing me down.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with every single word! I wish I had read this when I started out last year, I would have had MORE confidence and probably would have shed less tears if I had of known that I wasn't the only one dealing with other photographers and their negativity. I just thought they were mean and selfish, but I have learned that they just are the way they are and there isn't anything I can do about it but ignore it and move one. As long as MY clients are happy that is all that matters!! There are going to be people who react differently to what we do, and that is more than ok, but the negative comments can stay away! =)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this! This has changed my outlook and attitude for 2011!
Thank you for posting this. It's nice to see a more "seasoned" photographer who understands that at one point or another, we all started at square one!
ReplyDelete