I shall blame the following on hormones...
I'm really upset right now. I'm a photographer and occasionally I will offer my work as gifts to close family and friends. But this is how I make money...as a photographer. I do not for the life of me understand why a lot of people think I should give them free portraits. I understand we are family/friends and I understand you like my work...but respect me enough to pay me. It hurts my feelings. I hate when my feelings are hurt and I can't find the voice to share my feelings...instead...I turn to my blog to vent. Ha! A few months ago I had my feelings hurt involving doing free work for a friend and that stung as well. A lot of people do not understand what it takes to go out on location to shoot and edit along with having to find babysitters for my kids. ESPECIALLY if I am doing it for FREE. That dime is on me! I am getting my voice. My two BFFs are getting married this year and I offered to shoot their weddings as a gift. I'm cool with that. I totally offered and that is my gift. But I usually charge $1200 and up for a wedding. I love my friends but I usually do not give $1200 wedding gifts nor did they give me that $$$ of a wedding gift. I need to let them know I am attending the wedding as a friend not as an employee. I will take portraits and photographs...but not for hours on end. I want to be there as a guest and a friend. To be honest I really am feeling unappreciated at the moment. I work my ass off for everyone and I sacrifice time away from kids. This is why I have made the conscious decision to not do any more free work. It makes everything too complicated. Also, where do I draw the line. If I do something free for one person...another person will demand it. Oy VEY!!! I have been working on fumes lately. I feel like I'm being pulled every which way on everyone else's whims. Trying to balance photography, family, and my other job...and I have to start being an adult and standing up for myself. Not that I won't be nice Nikki...anymore...but I won't be doormat Nikki ; ) Sheeshhhhhh...I feel better. I don't want anyone to get mad...but I just need to let people know my feelings are hurt.
Ok...I think shooting the Derby and the heat has sent me into a tizzy. I'm so tired...I literally walked with FULL gear (camera, laptop, lens's and rain boots) from Floyd Street to Churchill Downs..Map....then ALL around Churchill and again shooting for the paper. Then I walked to Central and Taylor to be picked up. Came home laid down for a second, walked to go get some dinner, went on a bike ride with the kids and now I'm beat. I know tomorrow my legs will scream from the punishment I put them through today.
Ok..sweet dreams...Hopefully, tomorrow I will wake up in a better mood. I'll leave you with some pics from my cellphone from my day...
Crazy religious people shouting at EVERYONE as they entered. I had to snap a pick of them.
I'm really upset right now. I'm a photographer and occasionally I will offer my work as gifts to close family and friends. But this is how I make money...as a photographer. I do not for the life of me understand why a lot of people think I should give them free portraits. I understand we are family/friends and I understand you like my work...but respect me enough to pay me. It hurts my feelings. I hate when my feelings are hurt and I can't find the voice to share my feelings...instead...I turn to my blog to vent. Ha! A few months ago I had my feelings hurt involving doing free work for a friend and that stung as well. A lot of people do not understand what it takes to go out on location to shoot and edit along with having to find babysitters for my kids. ESPECIALLY if I am doing it for FREE. That dime is on me! I am getting my voice. My two BFFs are getting married this year and I offered to shoot their weddings as a gift. I'm cool with that. I totally offered and that is my gift. But I usually charge $1200 and up for a wedding. I love my friends but I usually do not give $1200 wedding gifts nor did they give me that $$$ of a wedding gift. I need to let them know I am attending the wedding as a friend not as an employee. I will take portraits and photographs...but not for hours on end. I want to be there as a guest and a friend. To be honest I really am feeling unappreciated at the moment. I work my ass off for everyone and I sacrifice time away from kids. This is why I have made the conscious decision to not do any more free work. It makes everything too complicated. Also, where do I draw the line. If I do something free for one person...another person will demand it. Oy VEY!!! I have been working on fumes lately. I feel like I'm being pulled every which way on everyone else's whims. Trying to balance photography, family, and my other job...and I have to start being an adult and standing up for myself. Not that I won't be nice Nikki...anymore...but I won't be doormat Nikki ; ) Sheeshhhhhh...I feel better. I don't want anyone to get mad...but I just need to let people know my feelings are hurt.
Ok...I think shooting the Derby and the heat has sent me into a tizzy. I'm so tired...I literally walked with FULL gear (camera, laptop, lens's and rain boots) from Floyd Street to Churchill Downs..Map....then ALL around Churchill and again shooting for the paper. Then I walked to Central and Taylor to be picked up. Came home laid down for a second, walked to go get some dinner, went on a bike ride with the kids and now I'm beat. I know tomorrow my legs will scream from the punishment I put them through today.
Ok..sweet dreams...Hopefully, tomorrow I will wake up in a better mood. I'll leave you with some pics from my cellphone from my day...
I LOVE Churchill Downs in the morning of Derby. Long before the crowds follow in.
Crazy religious people shouting at EVERYONE as they entered. I had to snap a pick of them.
Inside the media center waiting in line for lunch.
...and then the crowds came...
Me sitting on a bus stop waiting for my husband to pick me up....VERY TIRED!
...and the crazy happy dancing man I named Earl...dancing his heart out on the corner. He had some awesome moves I will have to admit.
2 comments:
I went back to Derby this year! I can't imagine how hot you must have been.
It was most insane around the paddock. The worst part is that I am short, so I would get lost amid the crowd...ha. I hope you had a good time!
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