Exhaustion in the form of me
I'm plum exhausted. To the point of crossed eyes, hair a mess, and wearing sweatpants as long as I possibly can until I have to get dressed up all fancy for my next shoot. Working for Society means I have to dress to impress to a point. I'm a photographer not a socialite but there is a fine line. Have to want them to let me take their photo.
Miss weekends off, vacation time, my family, my sanity.. and my sleep.
Love my job, today I took a photo of a woman that has not let a soul photographer her in ten long years. You see she had a stroke which ended up with her in a car accident while having the stroke. One side of her face/body doesn't move properly and droops in places. The car window and other parts of the car damaged the other portions of her face. She cannot but half smile. She's burned, scared, and all now for life. I walked by and asked her and her husband if I could take their photo as I was doing with the whole room at the event. She literally grabbed my hand patting it and started to cry. She explained that everytime she was out with her husband or friends and anyone brought out a camera they would sort of shy her out of the frame or pass so she didn't feel uncomfortable. These were just friends not events, or big events she always frequents. She said for ten years not a single working photographer has ever approached them for their photograph.
With the biggest cheesiest smile and eyes full of tears she grabbed her husbands arm, who asked "You sure honey," she simply said "I've been waiting ten years for this SMILE BIG!'
I say moments like this one make my job worth it. Also, I sort of said a silent word to myself , sending good wishes up to my mother who taught me people are people no matter race, gender, orientation, or looks. Today I did exactly what I was taught growing up, and it felt amazing to see that beautiful lit up smile on Mrs. K's face. I cannot wait until it goes to print and I can share it with the world but mostly her and her husband. I hope they cherish it as much as I will always cherish that moment.
Miss weekends off, vacation time, my family, my sanity.. and my sleep.
Love my job, today I took a photo of a woman that has not let a soul photographer her in ten long years. You see she had a stroke which ended up with her in a car accident while having the stroke. One side of her face/body doesn't move properly and droops in places. The car window and other parts of the car damaged the other portions of her face. She cannot but half smile. She's burned, scared, and all now for life. I walked by and asked her and her husband if I could take their photo as I was doing with the whole room at the event. She literally grabbed my hand patting it and started to cry. She explained that everytime she was out with her husband or friends and anyone brought out a camera they would sort of shy her out of the frame or pass so she didn't feel uncomfortable. These were just friends not events, or big events she always frequents. She said for ten years not a single working photographer has ever approached them for their photograph.
With the biggest cheesiest smile and eyes full of tears she grabbed her husbands arm, who asked "You sure honey," she simply said "I've been waiting ten years for this SMILE BIG!'
I say moments like this one make my job worth it. Also, I sort of said a silent word to myself , sending good wishes up to my mother who taught me people are people no matter race, gender, orientation, or looks. Today I did exactly what I was taught growing up, and it felt amazing to see that beautiful lit up smile on Mrs. K's face. I cannot wait until it goes to print and I can share it with the world but mostly her and her husband. I hope they cherish it as much as I will always cherish that moment.