It's our reactions that count...

I shot my first real wedding about a month ago.  Yesterday, after hours of editing, I sent the bride a gallery of the images.  She responded this morning with a lukewarm answer:  "I saw alot of great pics...but do you have any from xxxx time of day?"  Basically, she wanted me to provide her with photos from the area she wanted...the light, background, and setting was completely unflattering and definitely not my style...but she wanted to see the photos.  I obliged her and sent her two heavily edited photographs.  I guarantee, those are the images she's going to use on social media (le sigh).  I kinda want to scream right now, but I won't.

Generally, if you really like something, your response will show it.  Her's didn't.  So what do I do now.  I think there are two courses of action here.  I could:

A.  Get all depressed and dejected and allow this situation to stifle/set me back.

OR

B.  I could use this as an impetus to grow and get where I want to be.

Right now, my emotions/artistic side/right side of my brain are telling me to go with A.  However, I have learned that emotions and business don't mix.  So, I'm going to put on my big girl skinny jeans and boldly choose B.  Boom.

I will use this an impetus to grow and get where I want to be.  I want to be so good, that the work speaks for itself.   My husband always asks, "So what did we learn?" when situations don't go our way.  I learned a few things from this scenario:

1.  I need a contract that outlines what I will AND won't provide for my clients.
2.  I need to manage expectations of me on the back end so that I can underpromise and overdeliver.
3.  I need to learn my camera settings and "find my light" so that I am ready in season and out of season for whatever situation comes my way.
4.  I need to be better prepared with a shot list and timeline for my next wedding.  I look back and just think there are so many shots that I missed or didn't get.
5.  I need to practice, practice, practice.

Time to step up, take responsibility, kill all the "woe is me" crap, and keep it moving.  Ain't nobody got time to be whiny.  I only have to time to win (even if I have to lose a couple of times to do so...).

Boom.

Happy Weekend!

YS