Too Sensitive?
indiegirl
Registered Users Posts: 930 Major grins
I need some clarity without emotion. Bring it on.
I know a fairly famous photographer though my kids' school. Just met her this year and didn't know who she was until I ended up at her house and saw her work. She and her dh are great photographers, hands down. We got to talking and dishing about our respective work and I ended up showing them some of my stuff via smugmug that night.
A bit of background: I'm the daughter of a photographer. My training? I've taken one class and it was back in the olden days (1994= predigital). To sum up: I have a good eye, a natural proclivity toward photography and undeveloped technical skills. That said, I've been shooting freelance for about four years (mainly kids and family stuff) and am nationally published in a well-known parenting mag. I'm not in their league equipment or tech-wise, but I think my work is a strong testament to my potential and I'm learning more every day.
So. She happens to see the book I made about my dd's recent hospital visit (Violet was showing some kids at the end-of-school picnic) and she went ga-ga over it. She tells me how amazing it is and asks me if she can post it on her blog and then asks if she can order a book to use in her workshops.
I say yes--she's been really helpful and her blog taught me a few things technically. So, she posts her version of my story and says this:
"Jesse was so kind to let me share Violet’s story with you. It’s one of the most moving examples of a mom, taking a risk with her camera, and documenting their child’s life. Jesse isn’t a professional photographer, doesn’t know photo shop, but look at what she captured!
If she can do it, I know the rest of you parents can too. Why? Because as parents, we see the tender moments and recognize the vulnerability and details (like cards from the class and dogs that touch our child’s heart) better than anyone."
(emphasis added by me)
I feel really weird about these statements. I can't put my finger on exactly why, other than I think she's misrepresenting my background. I did email her about that concern with no response as of yet.
Am I being too sensitive? Does this seem at all odd to you? I feel like I've just been patted on the head.
I know a fairly famous photographer though my kids' school. Just met her this year and didn't know who she was until I ended up at her house and saw her work. She and her dh are great photographers, hands down. We got to talking and dishing about our respective work and I ended up showing them some of my stuff via smugmug that night.
A bit of background: I'm the daughter of a photographer. My training? I've taken one class and it was back in the olden days (1994= predigital). To sum up: I have a good eye, a natural proclivity toward photography and undeveloped technical skills. That said, I've been shooting freelance for about four years (mainly kids and family stuff) and am nationally published in a well-known parenting mag. I'm not in their league equipment or tech-wise, but I think my work is a strong testament to my potential and I'm learning more every day.
So. She happens to see the book I made about my dd's recent hospital visit (Violet was showing some kids at the end-of-school picnic) and she went ga-ga over it. She tells me how amazing it is and asks me if she can post it on her blog and then asks if she can order a book to use in her workshops.
I say yes--she's been really helpful and her blog taught me a few things technically. So, she posts her version of my story and says this:
"Jesse was so kind to let me share Violet’s story with you. It’s one of the most moving examples of a mom, taking a risk with her camera, and documenting their child’s life. Jesse isn’t a professional photographer, doesn’t know photo shop, but look at what she captured!
If she can do it, I know the rest of you parents can too. Why? Because as parents, we see the tender moments and recognize the vulnerability and details (like cards from the class and dogs that touch our child’s heart) better than anyone."
(emphasis added by me)
I feel really weird about these statements. I can't put my finger on exactly why, other than I think she's misrepresenting my background. I did email her about that concern with no response as of yet.
Am I being too sensitive? Does this seem at all odd to you? I feel like I've just been patted on the head.
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I don't see a way to NOT be emotional about it.....just don't........
They are your photos, your work. If what she says makes you feel uncomfortable, ask her immediately to remove the photos. You have no agreement with her, no contract, she didn't pay for your work, she's not a client-- you owe her nothing. In other words, you control your work, she doesn't. She can certainly comment on your work, but she has no right to display it if you object.
You're asking for clarity without emotion. I've seen the photos you're talking about-- they are very personal and strong. But for me anyway, my threshhold is that unless it's a paying client and we have reached a usage agreement beforehand, I get to decide how my photos are used.
Here's what I think you need to realize-- you not only witnessed, you photographed an extremely vulnerable, emotional, and touching situation. One that easily can bring tears to the eyes of viewers-- in other words, powerful stuff. It's yours-- the work, the copyright, the photos. This particular photographer in question doesn't have THAT kind of work to display, she didn't have that kind of access to the "emotional event" (my quotes-- but I'm sure you know what I mean) so she's using your photos. You're not getting paid, you're helping her promote her own workshops or whatever-- and why? What are you getting out of it? Do I need to remind you they are your photos?
Don't fool yourself-- big-time photogs aren't going to respect you or get you work if you just give your work away. They're going to use it to promote themselves-- that's one reason they're big time-- they get the self-promotion game.
Now ask yourself what it took to shoot the photos you shot? What kind of energy, persistance, drive, and ability? You may not think your techinical skills are up to snuff-- but this big time photog does-- and I'll bet others do to in this case. Raise your chin, be proud of your work, and don't let others take advantage of you. That's my unemotional response.
Portland, Oregon Photographer Pete Springer
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I think you are entirely justified. Those statements are condescending. The fact that you are not a pro does not mean that you are not a photographer.
Regards,
I have to say honestly that I feel differently than the others who have already responded to you. I think her statements are slightly misleading but not totally inaccurate and surely any offense to you was surely unintentional. Keep in mind that she is trying to encourage others by your work. I think she's trying to stress the point that you are primarily self taught.
I would suggest writing a very positive email to her, thanking her for her kind words about your work and how honored you are that she's using your work as an example... but that you are concerned that her choice of words incorrectly categorizes you as a non-pro. Since you do freelance work, it is important to you that any public statements about you mention that you are a part-time pro. Perhaps she could change the sentence "Jesse isn’t a professional photographer, doesn’t know photo shop, but look at what she captured!" to something like "Jesse is almost completely self-taught, and look what she captured!" Also, it is important to your reputation that you are characterized as a working freelance photographer and maybe she could insert a comment like "Jesse is currently working as a successful freelance photographer," in a way that doesn't detract from her purpose of using you as an example of someone who is primarily self-taught and doesn't NEED Photoshop to get great results.
If she thinks of you in the same terms that you think of yourself, I'll bet she will be a little embarassed when she realized what she did. If she doesn't think of you that way, well, this might open her eyes a little and give you some more respect that you deserve. But I think chances are that she'll be embarassed by her mistake. She may even make up for it by giving you a plug.
Whatever you decide to do, I hope it turns out well for you.
Mike
Mike
P.S. I'm looking through some of your photos on your website, and you do very nice work!
Sam
Jesse
The more I think about it, the more I'm uncomfortable with the whole, "She's-not-a-professional-and-look-what-she-can-do-approach." I do think it's misleading and feel like it kind of undervalues my work. The truth is that I'm a part-time pro who needs to hone my tech skills so that someday I can be a full-time pro.
I'm so sorry if I misinterpreted my history to you or if there was some other misunderstanding. I think meeting you and seeing what you have done in such a short time has been a wake up call for me to get off my arse technically and face some apprehension I feel surrounding that whole deal. Meeting you has brought a lot of clarity to my own insecurities and need to face this challenge. I can't thank you enough for that kind of inspiration.
Jesse