I feel quite vulnerable writing this, but this post is something that has been building up for quite sometime now and it’s something I’ve struggled with for a couple of years. Many of you know being a photographer is a business in itself, hard to survive. Being the new girl in a town where everybody knows everybody, it was tough to finally get my name out there and establish a successful business away from everyone I knew. However, then you and your successful business have a new problem: your fellow successors.

Although photography is an industry full of never ending creativity, there is often a lot of similar things across the board and it’s not uncommon to see two similar photos or sessions from two separate photographers. It’s inevitable! There are only so many ways to pose couples, or babies, and only so many props to use. I’m here to break it to you that everything has been done before. And as the knowledgeable professionals that we are or aim to be, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions or put judgement towards another persons work… at least that would be the right thing to do 🙂

The online world has made issues like this all the more apparent. You hear bullying and you automatically think of elementary school kids on the playground. However, bullying in the adult world is sadly a very real truth. With easy access at our fingertips, it’s a piece of cake for one person to bad mouth someone in front of thousands if not millions of people. Cyber-bullying is becoming more and more prevalent… with the never ending issue “This person has totally copied me.” From a simple prop or similar location choice.

One quick tweet or Facebook comment can destroy a person, and it’s so easy to forget that these are people who are trying their best and working hard, that are the recipients of the mean comments and posts that are at the hands of their fellow creatives. Because of this, it’s come to my attention that some photographers base even their image sharing off each other and what everyone else is doing or has previously done, instead of focusing on themselves and their business. They’ll showcase images or they don’t showcase images, constantly worrying and thinking about everybody BUT the clients they’re serving. Some go as far as NOT even going through with a certain shoot because it’s already been done. Lets talk Pinterest…. how many of your clients show you screen grabs from pinterest either before the session or at their session simply for inspiration? Just because a photographer in the area created something similar.. doesn’t mean you can’t be inspired and create something too. We all have SUCH different styles and can make anything and everything our own. I don’t know about you, but I 100% serve my clients and deliver what they want. My first priority is to give them their vision. It’s not about anybody else. In simple terms for those who still don’t understand that: I’M DOING MY JOB. And if I’m proud of a session or image, you bet your ass I’m going to showcase it, despite if it was just similarly done by another photographer in my area.

***Please note that this discussion is based on photography only. I do understand some things cross into copyright infringement. I do believe that if someone has completely copied your art right down to the caption, you should address that with grace but firmness. But before you do, please know the violations of copyright and take proper actions – AWAY from social media.***

I was at the hands of bully a little while ago and that someone was a good friend of mine and someone I looked up to in the industry. It’s terribly sad when actions are fuelled by jealousy and that they soon view you as a threat when your bookings have doubled. All of a sudden you’re competition and they do and say anything to bring you down or take credit for your success. It’s terrible when someone feels this way, when all I’ve been doing this whole time is my job, which again is serving my clients. As soon as I posted an image from a session they deleted me, blocked me, then they bad mouthed me all over the internet, personally messaging vendors using side by side screen grabs comparing our images… all over the same use of a very popular prop. A PROP! In a small town, this kind of thing is a bummer. She claimed I robbed her of this idea….. but when you simply google the same thing, a million images come up. It had been done countless times before & to be honest it was never my intention in the first place. Not once did this person message me, getting the story behind the image or to ask and find out that this entire session was in fact 100% my clients vision. They chose to judge and play the victim card, making fun of me and not realizing they’ve completely jeopardized my reputation and business practices. Not to mention they used Social Media to express all of it…. which couldn’t have been handled worse. For starters screen shots can be saved and when you have the same business relationships with well respected vendors and other talented creatives in the industry, not only are you hurting the person you’re bullying… but you are hurting your business as well. When you are territorial and express anger towards fellow entrepreneurs from them simply putting work out there… it’s documented, it’s remembered and to some extent… it’s embarrassing. Behind the keyboard you feel as though you can say what ever you like without any repercussions and I’m here to tell you that you can’t. Hiding behind a screen doesn’t make your words any less hateful.

“Work Hard & Be Nice to People” – Kaihla Tonai

All of this to say, we need to come together and know this behaviour is not OK. This is why photographers are afraid to approach each other for tips or education. We are all so different in our own unique and amazing ways… there is enough clientele for all photographers in your area! Believe me. When we are supporting our fellow photographers, we are supporting the entire industry as well as ourselves. Don’t be afraid to share your favorite location, or comment how adorable someone’s session is, even if you recently had a similar one. If you’re sitting there at your screen thinking “Damn, they executed that PERFECTLY” – what is stopping you from making a comment, letting them know? When we all grow together, we are all becoming better photographers… which in the end make us better people. I whole heartedly want us all to make it and I’ve been an open book since starting this business. After seeing first hand how dog eat dog this industry can be, I’ve made it my mission to constantly help anyone who’s reached out to me. If there was any possible way I could help you better your craft, I want nothing more than to help! Instead of fighting & competing, I try to pave the way and promote as many photographers as I can. For example, I love having local photographers take my own family photos and admire their work on the walls in my home, fully supporting their individual creativity. In closing, photography is a journey which is different for us all. Whether you’re a newborn photographer or a wedding photographer, or if this is just your passion (like it was for me for 10 years!) IT DOESN’T MATTER! There are many paths to this industry & those paths are endless, I want you to continue admiring each others work and continue to be inspired and lift each other up, keep connecting!

The CBP Community Workshop Annoucement:

…. Coming to Calgary March 2017! Details and registration will be released soon! 🙂