Why I Quit

I know I’ve been scarce and I don’t update these blogs often. I’m not even sure anyone actually reads them. But nonetheless, here I am.

• YOU: Back? Where did you go?
• ME: Yes. I’m back. Didn’t you realise I was gone?
• YOU: No. Not at all.
• ME: 😢
• ME: I QUIT!!!!!!
• YOU: So why did you quit?

The short version: I didn’t feel like I was getting anywhere with this photography malarky.

The shorter version: I had a “falling” out with a model who thought it was OK to screenshot one of my photos from a shoot we did. Then said model posted the screenshot up onto a popular Social Media Platform inside of a Group, without asking or tagging me. (This was a paid shoot btw. I paid this model for her time. And the model signed a model release stating; “NO UNAUTHORISED USE OF IMAGES ALLOWED”)

I digress. So moving on……..

Said model got around 2000 likes for this image, before I got around to seeing it. TWO. THOUSAND!!!!! Which may not seem like a lot to some ppl. But it’s loads to me. (I know my watermark was showing on the image BUT… Read on)

• YOU: How many likes or how much exposure did you get?
• ME: ZERO. ZILCH. NADA. NOTHING.

Not ONE like. Not ONE mention. Not even a blip on my social media Engagement or website traffic. So much for gaining “Exposure” by sharing your paid work for free, am I right? 🤔

• YOU: So what did you do about it?
• ME: I freaked out. Bit childish? Maybe. But nonetheless.

Rightly or wrongly I started bitching & moaning to a fellow photographer. Now you’re thinking to yourself; “That doesn’t sound so bad.” And you would be correct. No. It’s not that bad.

But where it did get turned upside down was, as it turns out, that this photographer was also having a Whatsapp conversation with the model at the time. And the tog said to the model straight up; “You’ve pissed off Lex!!” or something along those lines.

Next thing I know… BOOOOOOOOM 💥🔥💥⚡️ There was a Whatsapp message on my screen from the model. And she was having a RIGHT OLD HISSY FIT, because I was, and I quote; “Talking behind her back”

Well, yes I was. So fucking what? People ALWAYS talk about other people when they’re not around and they think that person won’t find out. BUT!!!!!! I was also confiding in someone who I thought was a friend, about a situation that I was unhappy with.

👉🏼 NB: Now take into account, I was going to contact the model POLITELY in my own time and ask her to tag me. Maybe put a link up to my other social media. After all, I loved working with her. She’s a barrel of laughs and great fun to shoot with.

Anyway, as I was typing up my response in whatsapp, BOOOOOOOOM 💥🔥💥⚡️ SHE BLOCKED ME!!!!! On Whatsapp. On Instagram. Removed the photo. And that was that.

Who’s overreacting now????

There I was. Sat in my van. Literally gobsmacked that someone, who clearly was in the wrong, attacked me like that. And while we’re on the subject, photography has to be one of the most back stabby-bitchy assed industries I’ve ever been involved in.

BUT WAIT!!!!

Before you think I’m slagging both these ppl off, especially the model, I’m not. I have the highest regard for her and her professionalism and she’s an absolute gem to work with. Having said that… I do think our “working” relationship is officially over. Not because she blocked me and blah blah. But purely because of the way she handled the situation.

SO YOU JUST QUIT???

It does sound like a silly reason to quit. Doesn’t it. And I’ll be the first to say that I was probably just feeling demotivated and uninspired with everything and this set me over the edge. Other photographers seemed to be getting loads of shoots, all the while I’m spending ££££ on paid model shoots all the time with little to no exposure.

Then I realised something… Someone “stealing/borrowing/using” my image is no reason to act like a little whiny bitch and give up. (Why stolen?? Coz I paid the model for her time, for the shoot. Technically the photo was property. And it was used without my consent.)

steal

/stiːl/

So, here I am. Writing this blog, charging my Nikon batteries and planning my next steps.

Unfortunately, I haven’t spoken to the Model since the “incident”. I tried to keep communication alive with the other tog, but we haven’t really spoken in months either.

It’s a shame though… I’d like to think I had nothing but the best intentions. He was complaining about lack of Instagram followers. So I showed him an Instagram Strategy by Gary V for growing your Instagram Followers and assisted or shot the shit whenever I could. He bought my Pimped Up Water Cooled PC a few years back when he was starting out in photography. We’d always got on and chatted about loads of things. Oh well……………. 😕😕😕

Anyway!!!

Where to from here? I’ve been working, very slowly, but steadily, on a comeback with a more focused avenue of shooting.

• Content Creation.
• Content Supplier.
• Creative Nude.
• Creative Boudoir.
• Webmaster.
• That’s it.
• No more Fucking Around!!!!

What have I learnt? I’ve learnt that the industry is FULL of issues and politics.

What am I going to do about it? Steer WELL clear of those hassles. No time for it. I want to shoot. I want to create. I want to enjoy it.