When I first started my business, I was only semi aware that there was a photography industry out there. I mean, I knew there were lots of other photographers….I followed SO MANY back then because I was so inspired and in awe of them. But what I didn’t realize is that there was truly an industry. That there was a hierarchy…there were Uncle Bobs (not sure if they’re really part of the industry though…), Mom-togs, Bullies, Rock stars, Wannabe rock stars, and even GROUPIES. For the first six months to a year or so all of this passed me by. I was focused on learning my camera, learning how light affects photos, trying to learn how to pose, etc and hopefully booking clients along the way. I took pictures of my friends and enjoyed every minute of it. Back then I was busy spending 30 minutes per picture in Photoshop…I literally had no time to figure out that there was an industry!
Eventually I joined a photography group on Facebook and was exposed to this whole new world. I feel like I’ve been lucky and almost somewhat spoiled up to this point in my career because the groups I’ve been a part of are so supportive and helpful to one another. The people in some of the groups I’m in (Like the Richmond SHARE group) are photographers (and other creatives) who believe in encouraging, supporting, and educating one another. These photographers believe that we are stronger as an industry that uplifts each other rather than bullying or being afraid so and so might steal our client or copy our idea. They don’t see sharing knowledge as a weakness. These ideals were the ones I was exposed to as a budding photographer and they’re the ones that I hold very dear to my heart now, ESPECIALLY as I’ve recently been more exposed to the nastier side of the industry…the side that bullies, and says negative things about other people, and assumes the worst of everyone. It’s hard for me to believe that there are groups/pages/people out there who actually dedicate their time to being snarky and bringing others down. As if what others are doing really affects their day to day life.
The negativity makes me sad. And when it’s directed at me, it makes me want to hide and cry. But even more than that it makes me sure that what I’m doing, how I’m running my business, and how I’m trying to live my life is right (for me, at least). I don’t ever want to be the person that causes someone to cry (unless they are happy tears!) and I especially never want to make another person feel like they are nothing. Our job as HUMANS is to love one another and treat others the way we would like to be treated. At least, that’s what I think.
This is part of the reason I’m so excited to be a part of Envision! Yes, Envision is largely about getting photographers to that next level in their business and pushing them to succeed as business owners by sharing our technical and business knowledge with them…but it’s also about building a community of photographers that supports and encourages one another. I truly believe that we are stronger together than apart, and so do my friends…Natalie, Krista, Jen, Serena, and Laura. The six of us are completely different unique women who come from various backgrounds, have different shooting styles, etc. No two of us runs our business exactly the same. We have a film photographer, a graphic designer, someone in a partnership, and more. We are all so different, but we still manage to be friends, not competitors. And to help one another move forward as business people in a POSITIVE way. If you come to Envision, I hope that you leave not only with the tools to grow your business bigger than you’d ever dreamed you could, but also with a new community of supportive creatives who truly care about YOU.
I somehow doubt that many people in this HUGE photography industry have ever heard of me, much less read my blog, but if you are a photographer and you’re reading this, I want to challenge you to BE the change. Support and uplift others as much as you can. Befriend other photographers and do it because you really want to be their friend, not because you want anything from them. Learn as much as you can and then pass a little bit of that on to the next person. Encourage someone else today. Forgive. Choose positivity over negativity.
This topic has been on my mind for so long and weighing heavy on my heart. I don’t understand why anyone would get pleasure from being nasty about someone else. I always wonder if the people who bully others knows how badly it hurts to be bullied? It breaks my heart every time I see it in our industry and frankly I make sure to NEVER do business with people like that. Thank you for being so positive and loving, you’re the best Katie and I am so excited for everything that you are doing!
This makes my heart heavy. There is no need and no room for those that feel the need to try and squash someone’s dream (especially when it is a similar dream. That should be a point of BONDING.)It’s so wasteful to use time and energy to talk smack rather than use that to chase dreams!
You are loved, and for every possible “hater” out there, you have 100x as many people that love you and your work as much as I do. You’re a rockstar, KNez. BIG THINGS are happening for you. xoxoxoxo
People like that are just jealous of the amazing work you do, and the success that comes from doing that quality work. Glad you aren’t letting the haters get you down! You do phenomenal work!
This post is so great! There needs to be more positive energy in this industry! It seems there are two types of photographers in today’s world, 1) Negative, bullying, selfish, don’t want to give their photos to their clients, worried the watermark isn’t big enough, not wanting to help others. 2) The people like you, Katelyn James, Kaitlin Noel, Amanda Hedgepeth, and all the other ladies making it a part of their business, brand, and who they are to give all they have to their clients, but also to other photographers. I wonder if the “type 1” photographers are the way they are because they are not confident in themselves or maybe they are just scared of what blessings would be poured out on them if they LET GO a little. I want to be like you. I want to help other photographers and GIVE, GIVE, GIVE to my clients! When I decided to really start my business, start charging for prints and no longer giving CDs on a disk. It honestly hurt my heart a little bit. Around here, I have learned that’s how you run your business. But I wanted my clients to have all of my art, so when I heard about PASS and that it was OKAY (according to all the lovely photogs I look up to) to GIVE your clients all of their photos, I think I cried a little bit.
Sorry for such a long post, but you are SO RIGHT. Keep it up, girl! You are a great role model in this industry!
Katie, this was SO well written! I completely agree with all that you said and even what Anna K mentioned… I don’t understand why people want to take the time to bash others when all of us still have so much learning to do. It just seems to make sense that we help each other grow, learn, and become better at what we do! You are such a strong photographer and it’s been so amazing to see not just your work grow over this past year+ but to see your business grow too! So excited for where you are and where you’re headed 🙂
Katie,
Thank you for this blog post. As a very amaetur photography student right now, I have come across many negative people in your industry when I ask for assistnace in learning the craft. I’m not even sure if I will ever be able to launch a business from this hobby, as it still is one for me right now. However, no matter how I learn to take the photos that I want to take, I appreciate people out there like yourself who help others learn and develop their skills. So thank you. I hope to someday be a part of Envision… Just have to have my ducks in a row and save some money for it.
Sincerely,
Kegan
love this! I was happy to be not in the hater-sphere but the moment I saw something not-positive directed at me, I realized how CRAZY it is that people get so caught up in it! There really is no reason for it.. it goes back to that simple rule when we were kids! If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all! It’s so refreshing to see how positive you are about the whole situation! 🙂
I am so happy you posted this! I was thinking the same thing and even posted something on my photography page about it! It makes me so incredibly sad when I see people in the industry being nasty and rude to others. I believe that if we all support each other we will all gain more. Helping is so much more rewarding than hurting. Befriending photographers in the industry is a new thing to me, since (like you were saying) I had no idea just how BIG the photography industry was! It’s incredible and I love having friends in the industry and networking with photogs all over the place! It always nice to have a community of like-minded people who are all creatives and know the ups and downs of owning a photog business! SPREAD THE LOVE…haters gonna hate, let them it’s their loss =P
You are such a wonderful role model, thank you for being who you are =)
I love this so much!! You girls from Envision are seriously what keeps me going when other photographers don’t want to help me and don’t take me seriously. I’ve thought about changing my career path so many times, but then you ladies inspire me to keep going, and I’m so thankful for that because I absolutely love photography and cannot see myself doing anything else <3
Can't wait to meet you in November!!
Totally agree on all counts! I am so excited for you all with Envision 😀 <3
There is so much truth to this post! Thank you for sharing. I wish you the best of luck with your new venture and as my 57 year old mother always says “Haters gona hate”
Katie,
This was a terrific post! I’ve been playing with photography for several years. I’ve taken several classes, read everything under the sun and yet I’ve not been committed or confident enough to work at it like I need to in order to take it from amateur hobbyist to something more.
My dream/goal when I started was to eventually become a wedding photographer. I LOVE WEDDINGS!!! As someone whose own personal wedding photos are nothing more than snapshots I paid $500 to a family friend for 21 years ago, it scares me that I might not capture the true beauty and essence of their special day. I was heartbroken and SO disappointed in mine. So in a nutshell…I’m scared of inflicting that on someone else! That is why YOU are such an inspiration. You’ve taken your desires/dreams/fears and done something amazing with them.
Having said all that, there definitely seems to be an over-abundance of “photographers/photography businesses” (especially on FB) these days. It used to sadden me to see really poor quality photos (focus in the wrong place, exposure off, etc) and then see people commenting about what wonderful photos they were. Lately, however, there are one or two photographers I’ve been watching from the beginning of their business, that have begun to produce truly outstanding and amazing photographs, for whom accolades are well deserved and I’m happy to give them mine. I applaud you and your friends/associates for LOVING what you do enough to help each other and other fledgling photographers feel secure enough to step out there and work their craft…
Thanks Katie! Maybe I’ll go take some photographs today. 🙂 HA HA
I agree with you! This is such a great post! I believe ever photographer has a starting point starts and if “industry peers” starts to bully them how can that person learn and grow!? I am extremely excited about Envision and the fellow photographers that you are joining with! Keep up the great work!
this is lovely! turn up the love, turn down the hate! so 100% completely true!
I love you Katie and I’m so excited to be a part of Envision with you! You are stronger than all the haters 🙂
love this!
I LOVED this blog post. Everybody starts somewhere and unfortunately people forget that when they make it big. I want to be as amazing as you one day and I am so glad I ran across this blog!