To Vent, or not to vent...

Since I've started my photography business, it seems I'm always on my toes as to watch what I say and write about so that I don't piss anyone of for upset them. However, through the past week of up and downs with my clients I've finally decided to vent.

99.9% of my clients I love. I feel like they are my family at times, and some have even become good friends. They are awesome. Then there are other clients, ones who expect more for nothing, and take advantage of me along the way, seeming like they don't care that in addition to being a photographer, I'm also a person.

I am a mother. I have feelings. I have emotions. I have compassion. And sometimes because of these things I let myself get taken advantage of. I am a photographer both in spite of these things and because of these things. Photography is VERY emotional and intimate. As photographers, and like other artist, when we put our work out there on the web for clients to see, its with the pride of showing off our newborn baby, yet the anxiety of walking down the street naked. Baring your soul in a way. What we do comes straight from our heart, and into your home...and that's why we do it. And when you treat us wrong, are rude, disrespectful, arrogant, or take advantage of us, it breaks our heart. There are times I can't stop smiling from the kind words from a client, and they literally stay with me all day. In the same way, a clients rudeness can stick with me as well.

Another photographer, Alana Hawker, posted this blog a few weeks ago, and I can't get it out of my head. It's so, so, SO true.

http://blog.photographybyalanahawker.com/2010/10/5-things-your-photographer-is-and-5.html


OK. There. I said it, I'm done.

Just please be nice to your photographer.

And tip your server at least 18%.

Oh - and you know what...don't flip us off in pics...we see EVERYTHING in editing.