Why Working with Other Photographers Gets me Going!!

When I hear of local photographers that don't participate in any online groups, share projects, or even have meet ups with others in the business it makes me sad. They are missing out on so much! SOOOO much information, so much comradery, and most importantly the sense of community. Don't we all want that in our line of work? I know I do!

When I first started taking photos officially, it wasn't long before I wanted to meet more people. Be involved with as many photographers as I could! I had a few friends that took photos, but I wanted to plan projects, learn and engage with as many like minded people as I could. I happened to find a post on Facebook from another local that she was having a "Shoot Out". Why...I had never heard of such a thing! I was so intrigued and couldn't wait to go! But, it was cancelled. But, as luck would have it she rescheduled and I got to spend a whole entire afternoon shooting indoor and outdoor with about 5-6 other ladies who were all in the same boat as me. Eager to meet others and share funny stories, ask questions and be engaged with others like them. That shoot out actually changed my whole outlook on the business and I learned so much in those few hours. Not only technical stuff, but general business stuff as well. I also learned that I wasn't all that bad at this business. I had a few ladies there that were really encouraging and sweet.

Now, I know some of you in the business reading this are thinking "Boy, that wasn't my experience at all!". And as quickly as I found those great ladies and felt good about myself...it only took a few months later to be quite disheartened by someone else local who said she was my friend, asked many, many questions about how I ran my business and then took that information and started doing the exact same things! If I posted something on Facebook, she had the almost exact same post within a few hours. It was so sad. That was the first person I really trusted in the biz that took advantage of me. I had a hard time for awhile. I kept to myself. No groups, no projects..nothing. In that time I also had another local contact my upcoming appointments and offer them sessions at ridiculously low prices if they went with her instead of me, there was also the tog who told me that I was "copying" her style. I also had another local offer to help with editing etc. When she realized I wasn't going to have religion discussion with her, she pretty much never spoke to me again and made me feel very uncomfortable. (we run into each other at different meet ups and events) Ugh...so upsetting. It really ate away at my soul when these things happened. Especially "copying" someone else's style. I was so upset by this statement. And the worst part: I thought most of the people who did bad things or said bad things to me were my friends. Or at least on the road to friendship. That's what stung the most.

After a few years of the above things happening and a few others I will left unsaid, I decided I was sick of doing things alone. So, I started a FB group for local photographers. I had no idea that it would take off like it did! I had and still have so many people thanking me for starting it because they were in the exact same situation as me. Disillusioned and disheartened by the jealousy and meanness that this profession sometimes has to offer. This group was for all levels of photo takers. It's a safe place to ask questions and be involved. We have our own shoot outs and get togethers. If not for this group, I may have quit the business all together. When times are tough and slow, it's a great resource to get feedback and know you are not alone.

Every image posted in this blog has been taken during a shoot out or while working with another tog in some form or another. Even photographers need a photographer once in awhile! Some of the images are favorites of myself and my kids..I wouldn't have them if not for these get togethers and reaching out. That really is priceless. When your behind the camera all the time, you have a ton of photos of your sweetie and the kiddos, but none of YOU! That's a shame. Your family wants you in the photos too, but sometimes that's impossible, that's when you reach out for help. It's one of the greatest compliments to me when another in the business reaches out for family photos, wedding coverage or even to work on a project with them. It makes my heart smile.

Not only am I in a much better place business wise but now I have friends. Friends who understand when I say that I have been on my computer for 12 hours straight editing and cannot any longer focus my eyes. They understand when I say that I have a customer who is literally messaging me 3 times a day, every day to see if her photos are ready yet. They understand when I reach out for a last minute second shooter for a wedding because mine has the stomach flu. It's that sense of community I longed for.

Today I have countless camera-toting pals from the local area that are incredible. Some of the above mentioned have once again joined my circle of peeps and all is good. I have come to realize that we all have bad days and stress gets the best of us. Sometimes things are said out of jealousy that they don't really mean later on. I am trying to have thicker skin and just move on and up when crappy things happen. I finally know my style, what I love doing and what I could do without. (business wise). I will figure the rest out sometime before I die..I hope. Until then....join me, join against me or just leave me alone. The ones that I team up with for events etc. make my soul sing because they trust me and WANT to work with me. It's so important for me to be involved and be someone that others know they can count on to be reliable, dependable and honest. The others...well. I wish them best of luck and hope to have the self restraint to still be polite and smile when I run into them out shooting. ;)