Water is fascinating! Mesmerizing! What do you see?
Posts Tagged ‘Passion’
Overflowing | Looking For Spring | Lisa Nikole Photography
Thursday, February 28th, 2013I can do it cheaper then you! – up late blog post :-) Lisa Nikole Photography
Monday, December 10th, 2012I have an amazing group of photography friends, some of them I’ve met in person and others I’ve not, YET! But I know one thing, when I need advise, help and even criticism, I know where to go and I expect to get it. They also know that they can expect the same from me.
We’re friends and I can’t agree more with Skip Cohen and a recent blog that he posted about our community. Friendships are the things that make us tick. Here is the LINK to Skip’s recent blog on Friends, I hope you take a moment to read it.
After reading Skips post I started to reflect on a couple things I’ve been hearing in my neck of the community. Things that have been unsettling to me and frustrating to say the least.
One of those things I’ve heard is other photographers, generally younger photographers telling prospective clients “I can do it cheaper then them” Them of course is in reference to another photographer, probably someone they shake hands with and a call a friend, maybe someone in their own venue.
When I first heard this it upset me. I wanted to do my own kind of confronting but really, where would have that gotten me. So I’ve decided to sit back and just watch, and listen. Last week I saw a young lady purpose she can do it cheaper through a client on Facebook, and it made me think. It’s okay to think we are better, it’s okay to challenge ourselves but in honesty isn’t what we want to offer our client something better, not cheaper? What are we saying about ourselves when we say “hey, look at me.. I’ll do it cheaper”.
What is our purpose in this industry, if all we want to do is get more people… cheaper then anyone else?
My daughter and I were talking last week about the big power ball jackpot, we didn’t even play but we were reflecting on what if we did. I’d quit my job, I’d travel, I’d buy a house, a car, I’d set so and so up in business, I’d have this or that… and I thought. I’d keep shooting. My daughter stopped and said “you would” I paused and thought “YES, I would, it’s my passion, it’s not about the money, I love to create, to create memories for people. I’d keep shooting!
After that, I heard another young photographer state that we “professional” photographers do it for the money and we need money to make money. I shook my head again. What has become of our industry?
Do I need money to survive? I sure do, as much as anyone else, but I’m not about to cut throat my neighbor photographer to get it and it’s not what I’m all about.
We don’t always get along, we can look at many an example for that, but our industry requires and needs us to.
I’m not going to cheapen myself or my industry, I’ve worked hard and long to get where I am. I won’t do it cheaper then you and I’m not all about the money. I did not pick up a camera one day and take a few pretty pictures and call myself a professional. I worked up the ladder, actually blew off the word professional for 2 years.
I’m an artist, a creater, and a giver. I give back to my clients and to the industry that has supported me through ups and downs. I’m proud to say I am a profession, not because I take pretty pictures, but because I carry myself in a professional manner in all that I do and when I carry my camera I’m part of a much bigger picture then just me, myself and I. I represent so much more and I know it.
So when you carry that camera, stop thinking of who you are and think of what this Industry is and who it represents, think of the great names that represent photography by their art hanging in the halls of amazing places and in the homes of families and people who trust us to be as professional with our work as we are with our persons!
2nd Cousins | Mail call | Lisa Nikole
Saturday, September 25th, 2010It had been years and I’m not talking about two or three. I had not seen Michael since my pre-teens. His Grandmother was my Great Aunt and I got to spend a few weeks each summer with my Great Aunt Nancy.
Besides my Grandmother, Aunt Nancy was the coolest relative I had. She taught me how to play cards, make popcorn balls and this amazing rose mint mold candy. IF anyone knows anything about these awesome creme cheese candy molds, let me know… it’s important! Aunt Nancy lived way up on a hill in Neshannock Township, Pa
I remember we had to go visit Aunt Ruth and I had to be super good and super quiet there. I think and I’m pretty sure Aunt Ruth did not like me. I was very energetic and to get me to sit for any length of time was a task that only Aunt Nancy could handle!
We’d take long walks down the hill and into town and pick up groceries and yes.. folks.. I enjoyed penny candy! The real stuff, not this junk you see now!
Then, every so often when I came to visit, Michael and his family would come to visit. I can’t remember too much of the visiting but I am very sure we had a fun time and got into trouble. Isn’t that what cousins do? I also remember having the biggest crush on his older brother Sam.
I can’t remember the year, but I remember Aunt Nancy got sick and soon she was in a nursing home. I had grown up, but I still remember my Aunt Nancy and talking with her always made my problems seem small. She just had a way to talk you through anythng. I had my daughter by then and I wanted Aunt Nancy to meet her. My family had told me that she probably would not remember me, but I wanted to go anyways.
I remember seeing her and she starred at me, it was a dark blank stare and I awkwardly told her who I was and introduced her to my daughter. I saw a few photo albums on her nightstand and it made me smile. I looked through them and I did find a picture of me. It was nice to be remembered. Looking back at Aunt Nancy, I was sure, Aunt Nancy was no where to be found.
Being the photographer that I am, I brought my camera and I took a picture of my daughter and my Great Aunt.
Later after the picture was developed (yes folks…the film days) I saw something that shook me. I saw the look in my Aunt’s eyes and I knew I KNEW she was still in there, somewhere behind the wall that separates you from them, and in her eyes she said “Please don’t, Please don’t take a picture of me”. You’d have to know me pretty well to understand that this is exactly what I saw and that picture haunted me for a long time. I eventually (long story short) sent it to another relative that I felt needed it more then me. I really would love to have that picture back.
That was the last time I saw my Aunt Nancy alive. I’m glad she did not suffer much and I was so blessed to have an awesome aunt that really did love me. I learned a lot those summers!
Recently on FB I hooked up with my cousin Michael and even more recent I got to talk to him on the phone and catch up with everyone. His mom had found some items that she felt I would love to see and I was so excited to recieve it and I had to share it with you! There was some personal items about my father, and a few pictures I’d seen before. But there it was.. not the picture I lost but a picture of my Aunt and you can even see her personality as she hides behind the shoulder of someone.
It was so good to see her again and to see her in a way I’d always remembered her. Thanks to FB and family and the great hookups going on all over the web.
Oh yea and for some fun…here are some of the pictures sent to me.
Me! I know I know “awwwwww”
I think they call these the awkward years:
and yes this is a senior picture:
My father:
My Grandma:
and last..some people and my Aunt Nancy, this picture made my day.
Thank you Michael and your mom for thinking of me. I appreciate you all!
