| Aug 21 |
Wannabe??Ok so this morning I was perusing some images on “a social network” by a gal in England who is probably the most amazing photographer/editor I have come across in the last few years. I discovered her toward the beginning of my photographic journey back in 2007. She is…….get this….20 years old!!!! She has graced gallery walls, magazines, book covers, and has worked with some amazing models/MUA’s(makeup artists) and hairstylists. SO, yesterday while looking at some new pictures she posted while at a Samsung event which offered (I’m guessing) local photographers a sneak peek at their new line of cameras and allowed them to test them out. SO, there was a comment under one image from someone which said “can i just live your life for like one day plz?!“ So I responded with: “Oh @#$ <–(persons name)….I agree with you 100%……I was about to offer myself up for oh I don’t know…interning….fetching coffee….WHATEVER! Yea sure I’m in Dallas TX but I will get my butt to London for a chance to meet this extremely talented girl! I never thought my idol in Photography would be 20. Really look up to you #@*^ <—(Photographer’s name)!! So today I go in and discover that there has been a not so nice comment in response to what I can only guess was mine and the comment from the gal before me. Here it is: “Why don’t you folk stop arse kissing and put the hard work in like #@*! <—(Photographer’s name). Wanting her life and her success….she earnt it! It doesn’t come easy or on a silver plate. I urge you to do the same and stop wanting to be someone else. Be yourself.” —I have to be honest and tell you that this struck a nerve with me! Here is my response: #@!@#:–(guys name) Do you understand what admiration is? I don’t think you do. I’m not trying to become her as she is today or at all…… I, like most people in ANY field would like to learn from her. Don’t people intern where you are from? I myself am a photographer and I feel like I am quite good in my own way especially starting only a year and a half ago with zero schooling, but I can always learn more. I just feel like your comment was rude and wasn’t thought out. You obviously follow @#!$ <–(Photographer) for a reason…..is it because you admire her work (as I do), or you think she is lovely as a person? Whatever it is….most of us feel the same. I have not met her but from what I can tell she is a lovely person yes, but also extremely talented. That is why I follow her and take time out of my day to write a nice comment or two. Anyway…..I honestly wish you the best in life and hope you’ll consider MY comment as one of explanation not confrontation. Be well.” His response: “Lisa, I fully understand admiration and as it happens I was not referring to your post but rather the one above it. You could say my comment was rude but it is also rude/ignorant to think that someone deserves %$#@’s <–(Photographer) talent and success without putting the work in.As for why I follow #$@% <–(Photographer) is simple. She produces unique & inspiring work. Most of all I hold her in a high regard. To be able to do what she does among vast competition in a world saturated with wannabe photographers is no easy task.“
—This again struck another nerve with me….my response: “Goodness….I don’t think anyone would expect her talent or success without putting the work in… I certainly work hard. I do understand where you are coming from I just feel like you may have taken it too seriously (The comment above mine).As for why you follow her….SAME HERE….and likely the same for a lot of us. Although the wannabe photographer thing I just am having trouble with….aren’t we all wannabe somethings? At what level are we no longer held under that title? Who grants us the “You have made it” title? I don’t know….believe me I am just having a friendly debate with you.. I just always wonder when those type of comments are made….what THAT person does for a living and how much success you have reached in your own life to forget what it was like to once have been a “wannabe”. In all honesty I don’t much care to debate about all of this but it has sparked my curiosity for sure. Now I want to know what you do for a living! HA!“
—I think now I began to break him down….not in a bad way but with my thought out responses…
His response: “I’m a FT <–(Full time) Wedding Photographer. While I agree with your comments about wanting to be something. What I meant in regards to ‘wannabe’s’ are those who fake it until they make it! Wedding Photographers have to deal with being undercut by amateurs with a camera while photographers like $#@% <–(Photographer) struggle with copyright issues and having her work copied or mutilated.In hind sight, I guess I did take those comments seriously. Another day might have provoked a lighter response or non at all.“
And mine:
“Wedding Photographers have to deal with being undercut by amateurs with a camera while photographers like $#@% <–(Photographer) struggle with copyright issues and having her work copied or mutilated.” <–(Taken from his last response)AGREED! I have been there I understand about the wedding business…which is why I am no longer doing it…..not as enjoyable to me as say kiddos and fashion.
I am not however having issues with my self portraits being snatched the way she is…… but I do know about that whole mess.… Eh…just glad you didn’t erupt from my comments and we could “debate” peacefully. I would love to admire your work as well….if you never need some extra arse kissing!“<—(Taken from his first post) —And then… it just fizzled away. This was his 2nd to last comment: “Arse kissing wouldnt do me any good anyway. Im my own worst critic ;D”
—From there we said our “Good Day’s to each other and wished each other well.”
The reason I am posting this is because toward the end I realized that like he said…“In hind sight, I guess I did take those comments seriously. Another day might have provoked a lighter response or non at all”…..
Isn’t this SO true in life!? We react (as I did) with every passionate bone in our bodies sometimes without thinking about repercussions. In this instance there weren’t any but I have been in many positions where I have gotten myself into quite an ugly spot. If there is one thing I AM satisfied about from this whole thing, it’s that I know I handled myself professionally, and certainly with the passion I have for my business. Soon after, I posted something on this same social network and received a few responses that proved my point exactly. If you never struggle to “wannabe” better at your career, hobby, family life, marriage….(it all applies) then life becomes stagnant and will never grow or get better. I think sometimes people get so caught up in what they have accomplished that they forget what it took to get there. That is one thing I hope I never forget and those of you who are close to me…..Don’t ever let me!!
—Love you all! Day 2 knocked out! Woohoo…I told you I would now be a blogging fool!
 3 Responses to “Wannabe??”Leave a Reply |
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Welcome to my blog!
YOU GO GIRL!! I wont let you forget!
WOW!!! That was a good read. I think you handled that situation the best you could…and you definitely broke him down by not crushing under his ‘wannabe” pressure. What an arse!
Way to go!
Very well handled!