Bad to Great

Dealing with the Haters

February 7, 2022

Bad.
A word used to describe my photos this past week. B.A.D. Three letters put together to make a word that knocked me down for a few…minutes.
I put so much of myself into each session because I want my subject to feel comfortable, beautiful, empowered. I have invested thousands of hours and even more than that in dollars in education. Posing, prompting, editing, composition, lighting, up and coming techniques, time practicing.
People say I have talent. It’s not talent. It’s a passion and a lot of hard work.
I looked over and over the gallery to try and spot a reason why someone would call my photos BAD.
There wasn’t one. Every photo was in focus. Every photo had emotion. A true smile and laugh from within. Perfect lighting. Skin tone on point.
The session was a favorite of mine. So what’s the take away? It’s not me and what my work looks like, it’s how it’s perceived. It’s not me, it’s you. The work isn’t bad, it’s the viewers’ internal emotional turmoil.
Ask me how I know…my own wedding photos. I hated them for years, because it reminded me of a very stressful time. They are great photos technically, but I didn’t like my body, there was a lot of stress in my life at that time. A deployment in the near future. One of my husband’s classmates was KIA the day prior to our wedding day. Lack of a better description…it was a shit show.
Now I look back at our wedding photos knowing that all is okay.
Dear Unhappy Client,
I see you. It’s going to be okay.
Warmly,
Dani