One of my most favorite movies is Never Been Kissed. The story of someone being teased, trying desperately to fit in, bouts of rejection and then redemption by simply being who she really was.
Seriously this is my life as a photographer.
I hope that my audience is ok with me being a little transparent. It’s good for the soul right?
Photography is one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had besides being in college ministry. I LOVE it. I cry at almost every daddy/daughter dance and after sessions being able to share those unforgettable moments is the most amazing feeling.
You’d think this was enough right?
Unfortunately it’s not. I like so many other photographers aren’t just happy with validation from our clients, we want it from our peers. And the longer and longer I’m in this industry the harder and harder it gets.
I’ve been published in magazines, photographed well over a 100 weddings, made brides and their mothers cry, been flown from coast to coast to photograph weddings and planning a wedding workshop for next September. Even with these credentials, I feel that void from my peers.
And the truth is, it may always be there. I may never get it.
And that needs to be ok.
I was recently at a workshop where I so badly wanted validation for what I’ve decided to spend my life doing. Besides a few wonderful girls and one guy with amazing hearts I didn’t get much. I so badly wanted someone to hear one of our speakers tell me I was amazing and maybe even offer me a job shooting for him. He didn’t. I didn’t get anything like that, but decided this could either discourage me or push me harder.
It’s the moment where Drew Barrymore’s character screams, “I’m not Jossie Grossie anymore,” and decides to change her life. She quit worrying about the mean girls and got to business. And until I finally get my kiss from the pitchers mound (figuratively), I’ll keep doing what I love.
If the validation never comes, so be it. Life is so much better when your not living it for anyone else. This industry may never get “nicer”. The mean girls (and boys) may always be whispering in my ear. But since Disneyland is my most favorite place on earth, I am glad Walt didn’t listen when the mean girls told him he had no imagination.
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