As a photographer, I get to work with a wide variety of people, all on different life paths. I've captured the magic of maternity moments, the first breath of a newborn and the pure joy of family gatherings. But there's one group that always leaves me with mixed feelings: my own family and friends. Yup, you read that right. And I'm here to spill the tea.
When I'm photographing my friends and family, I tend to treat them too casually. We're so comfortable around each other that our sessions often turn into social hangouts. While this sounds fun, it has its drawbacks. For starters, I take longer to edit their photos. Why? Because I lose the sense of urgency. It's my sister, my best friend, my neighbor-they can wait, right? Well, they shouldn't have to! Keep reading to find out why I sometimes lack the editing motivation.
On one hand, there are the true MVP's who truly respect my craft. They value my time, pay for my services and sometimes even offer service trades. They understand that while I love them, photography is also my profession. They know that the experience I offer is worth every penny and treat our sessions with the same seriousness as any other client. I shouldn't play favorites, right?
Well on the other hand, there are the ones who expect me to show up, camera in hand, to every special occasion-no talk of compensation, no acknowledgement of my time and expertise. Just an assumption that I'll always want to capture every moment versus enjoying time spent with my loved ones. I love you, but my camera is not an all-access pass to every event without consideration of the effort and skill involved.
Don't get me wrong-I will ALWAYS photograph my family and friends (and get a little sad when they hire someone else lol) It's a joy and an honor to be trusted with their precious moments. However, it's important to find the balance between being a professional and being their go-to photographer. Next time you invite me to an event, let's talk beforehand to make it a mutually enjoyable experience for everyone. Because if you assume, you make an @$$ out of U and ME #isaidwhatisaid #sorrynotsorry
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