Its so funny to me that so many people think I have a really glamorous job… they don’t see me when I have been shooting outdoors in the 100 degree heat for hours, have to wade into an icky pond to get a shot, roll around on the ground in the mud and bugs to get the angle I want or have a baby spit up/poo/pee all over me. They also don’t see the 12 hour days I keep– editing late almost every evening, responding to tons of emails, designing albums and slideshows. Or the hours and hours I spend to constantly learn and improve my craft- the seminars, workshops, conventions or just the nights I have spent reading and re-reading camera and flash manuals.
Those are all the things that I endure to hopefully create images that my clients love and that will become family heirlooms. When I show a client an image and they scream with joy or cry from emotion or hug me from gratitude– that is why I do this job. Coming out of wedding season I am often overwhelmed with all of the tough parts and the truly amazing parts get shadowed.
Today was absolutely one of those days. It was rough all the way around, but two clients made all the difference in the world to me. One was for newborn portraits and she sent me the sweetest email thanking me for the images I gave her and how special they would always be to her. She thanked me not only for my craft but also for becoming a new friend.
The other client I have known for years and recently did a family session for. They came in tonight to view the images from the session. I always know when I have done a good job when I can leave someone speechless. 
We had to look through all the images several times because they were so overwhelmed. When she kept exclaiming how overjoyed she was, it really helped push away all of the negativity from the day. I know that every time she looks at that large wall portrait she will smile. I captured her family as they truly are and for her… it stopped time. The smile it gives me is perhaps larger, because I know I have created something that she will cherish and I have brightened a part of her life.
This post is not to brag or ask for sympathy, but rather to share what means the world to me. I want every client to feel the way these two do. I know that despite my best efforts, it will not always happen, but it is always my goal. I sincerely hope that my clients view me as a friend– someone they trust, care for and enjoy being with. I have always felt that a family photographer should feel like an extension of your family.
So, I encourage everyone to push past all the troubles in life and find the joy that often gets overshadowed. Whatever it is to you– make sure it does not get overlooked when the more demanding rigors of life take over. I will be taking a good dose of my own advice as I finish the heavy workload of the season and hopefully find more time for myself and my family!
