If you are a photographer and you are reading this… please continue. There have been numerous occasions within the last couple of months of which I’ve become aware where photographers have stirred the pot within our industry regarding their opinions about safety and other things of value to our industry. In most cases, their reasoning for sharing their opinions was very warranted. However the ways in which they decided to express their opinions were TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! Photographers have had their name and reputation tarnished because of the way in which their peers decided to voice opinions about them. It is absolutely beyond my comprehension as to why photographers would take it upon themselves to reach out in forums and other social media, such as facebook, to share opinions. Colleagues, I am not suggesting that you should not have the opportunity to express those views, and educate newer, less experienced photographers than yourself. I am, however, suggesting that you DO SO IN A PRIVATE MANNER. The way in which some photographers have chosen to do so, as of late, lacks professionalism, makes me sad, and honestly embarrassed to admit that I am a part of this industry.

We as photographers ALL have SO MUCH IN COMMON! Afterall, why did we all take on this profession? Why? I can tell you that most of us DID NOT just find a camera and decide that it’d help pay the bills. Most of us came into this profession because we are artists that all have a unique view of the world. Some of us discovered it as a teenager when their father gave us our first camera, others discovered it when they had their first child and couldn’t stop staring at the beauty that we’d created and set out on a quest to make our camera see what we see. We wanted to share it with others… we want them to preserve our perspective for YEARS TO COME! We want to help other people to preserve different wonderful stages in their lives, from weddings, to young families, to high school graduation, and the list goes on. Why do we do that? This industry, as a whole is filled with some amazing, wonderful people with FANTASTIC, GIVING SPIRITS!

So, why is all of this cyber bullying going on? I just don’t understand it. Does it make you feel better? Does it allow you to sleep better at night to know that someone else is having a sleepless night… at your expense. Does it make you feel better about yourself to know that someone else knows LESS than you. Two days ago, I witnessed a woman cyber bullied about a photo that was on her facebook page. It was taken 8 months ago. Someone decided to share her photo {along with a very large opinion} and it spread like wild fire…. during the two hours that my baby took his afternoon nap.  The poor girl probably didn’t even check her facebook during that period of time. She had pages and pages of hate mail. ABSURD! I emailed the girl to apologize to her on behalf of our industry. And do you know what she told me… that not ONE PERSON that had a negative opinion about her photo took the time to email her in person. NOT ONE! So, next time you feel the need to teach something to your peer{s} please do so by private message, and not firing squad. Please remember that there is a person behind every photo and business. And that person has feelings too!

The key to this all is EDUCATION! Not bullying someone into doing something different. How do you teach? How does someone learn? Through gentle kindness and education. Sometimes I am afraid that we all get so caught up in our own passions, and convictions, that we don’t take the time to be KIND. Encourage and lift others! Karma is a wonderful thing to have on your side!

I only a FEW OPENINGS left in JANUARY for full sessions. Please contact me soon if you’d like one. Also, I will be offering ONE evening of mini sessions in January, for those that didn’t get a chance to do their photos prior to the holidays. The date will be January 14th. So, email me if you are interested in reserving a spot for that!

Now doesn’t that just make you want to run out and purchase 10??