They Can Only Steal Your Hope if You Let Them

Dear Jasmine,
I recently attended my first workshop (styled) up to this point I was excited and so ready for 2015. I was paired up with a seasoned photographer at the workshop that kept being negative about the styled workshop calling it a “mock wedding” and “fake” he bashed it so much that by the time I was done it really made me look at styled workshops differently. I've been down ever since and I wanted to add some photos to my portfolio but how do I not let his comments affect my learning process whether that be through a workshop or online class etc.? I look forward to the day that I can shoot my first real wedding but then I cringe thinking other seasoned photographers may see us newbies as faking it.
Sincerely,
Phake Photographer

Dear Phake Photographer,
I grew up in a tough neighborhood as a kid. So tough, my parents refrained from sending me to the public school down the street, complete with metal detectors and drive-by shootings. Instead my mother opted to homeschool her five children and filled our days with poetry readings in the backyard and baking homemade bread. While idyllic, it also skewed my view of the world in a way. Besides being an awkward kid, I often times failed to think fast in social situations.

Once my 11-year-old twin sister and I were cornered by a chola (a female gang banger) who told us to hand over the pizza we just bought for our family dinner. When my sister said we couldn't give her the pizza because we'd tell the manager, the chola responded, “And what?” We responded by threatening to tell our mom. “And what,” she replied. We explained that she was stealing dinner from our hands, but she simply asked, “And what?”

So why am I telling you this story? Because I learned a valuable lesson. The chola taught me to reply to uncomfortable situations by sticking up for myself, even if the response seems insignificant. When I was building my early portfolio, I faced similar criticism (this post ruffled feathers…apparently mock engagement sessions were cutting corners, too!), and didn't know how to respond. I was tempted to bake bread and send it to those who those who said mean things online as an act of reconciliation. Instead, I simply ignored their words and continue moving forward.

If there are seasoned photographers who claim your portfolio is fake, defend your passion. If there are pros who scoff at mock weddings, simply tell them you're doing what you can to make things work…even if it's not the same way they built their portfolios. People can only steal your hope if you let them. Don't give scared skeptics the power to hold you down. Grow, hustle, and do whatever you need to follow your dreams. Really.

The chola never stole the pizza,
j*