Being nice isn't so hard

I recently wrote a status update on my personal facebook page about the rudeness of some photographers. I feel the need to say more. I feel like it needs to be said. Some people may get pissed for my comments but I am completely okay with that.

I really don't understand how some photographers get off on thinking they are so much better than everyone else. I mean we all start somewhere. Some of them act like they didn't start off and have crappy photos. Every photographer has had to have at least some bad photos. How would these people feel if someone pointed out every single thing they did and then talk about them on their facebook, publicly? I have been lucky and haven't had that happen to me. Well, my name wasn't said but there were hints that I was stealing someones clients. Then, others accuse you of stealing their ideas or concepts but turn right around and does the same thing as another well known photographer in a different area. Its ridiculous and hypocritical. I have had other photographers email me when I first started stating that I needed to raise my prices because I wasn't being fair to other local photographers. Some of them were super nice and helpful but MOST of them were rude and nasty. I find this ridiculous and unacceptable.

It makes me sick to my stomach to know that these people fight tooth and nail to gain business and then treat others in their same field like absolute crap. And, in some case their own clients! Talking about them behind their backs to other clients, talking about them publicly on facebook and other online sources. Maybe I am one of kind but I believe you should treat everyone fairly. Why do we have to be so rude and nasty? Its uncalled for. I won't act like I am perfect, I have my faults too but I would never treat another photographer or client poorly just to get ahead. I had a photographer friend. Well, she was my friend first then turned photographer some time ago and she acted like a complete jerk when I started my business and we live in different states. She isn't the only one though, sadly. I won't go into many details because I don't get pleasure by calling people out but its sad when you think you know someone and consider them somewhat of a friend and then they turn their back on you and treat you like crap for no other reason than you becoming a photographer.

I am going to say this and then I will shut up. No matter if I stop do photographer now or ever I would never treat an up and coming photographer like crap. If they asked my opinion I would try to help them no matter what. Even if they lived next door. I've actually had a client start their own photography business recently and if she ever came to me for advice or just to chat about business I wouldn't hesitate to help her. I just wish other photographers would start being a little nicer and more helpful. Instead of tearing others to shreds, be kind and helpful. If you see someone struggling and their photos could be better, message them and ask if they would like your advice on how they could make things better. Its not that hard to be nice to others.

Sorry for my rant but I felt it needed to be said.

PS. I found a great lady a while back by the name of Lori. She created a Facebook fanpage called MyPhotoMentor to help newer photographers learn techniques to help better their business. If it weren't for her, Melanie, Tracy, and Kym (other photographers on the site) I would have went nuts. They have all been through it and some going through it with me. I am thankful for these ladies. But, I do believe my outlook on photography has been forever tainted by the one's that have holier than thou attitudes. Which is most that I have dealt with except the few I named and a couple of others.

What more could a girl ask for?

I just realized I haven't updated this blog in so long. Jace has grown a ton since the last time I blogged about him. He is now 21 months old and a smarty pants. Too smart for his own good sometimes. He has started getting bored with his toys lately because he can figure them out so quickly. His vocabulary is growing like crazy. I'll make a list of words he can say.

1 Ma ma
2 Daddy
3 Pappy (when he wants too) Papaw (his MS Papaw)
4 Jamma (he says it like amma)
5 Elmo
6 Bob Bob (spongebob)
7 All done
8 More
9 Milk
10 Chips
11 Ice
12 Rain
13 Snow
14 Moon
15 Star
16 Light
17 Ow
18 Dog
19 Hello
20 Hola
21 Hi
22 Bye Bye
23 Airplane
24 Ball
25 Cat
26 Eye
27 Nose
28 Beads
29 Button (belly button) 
30 Max
31 Ice Cream
32 Owl
33 Bird
34 Cup
35 Hot Dog
36 Door
37 Yes
38 No
39 Jace
40 Neece (Aunt Neecee)
41 Game
42 Car
43 Woo wee
44 Baby
45 Boat
46 Eat
47 Piggy
48 Poo Poo
49 Pee Pee
50 Please
51 Thank you
52 Boom


That is all I can think of for now. Could be more but my brain isn't cooperating right now. It doesn't seem like he should be saying all of this right now. Time sure has flown by. He will be 2 in a little less than 3 months. I was definitely blessed when that little guy entered my life.

As far as the whole family unit goes, Steve asked me to marry him on my birthday. I was in complete and total shock. We had went and got our dog that day then went to Steve's parents house. They wanted to give me some gifts. They spoil me, really. They had about 4-5 bottles of wine for me, a gift certificate for an hour massage, some old skeleton keys (I love keys), and a few other things. Steve kept saying he was so glad they got me good stuff and that I loved it all because I was going to be so disappointed with his gifts. We got home about 7:30PM and watched some TV and ate dinner. He finally gave me my gifts about 8:30. It was all in a gift bag. I started getting things out and there was a tea pitcher for loose leaf tea that I like, tea, some of my favorite candy, and the card. I read the card and it already had me in tears. I picked the bag up because I didn't think there was anything else in there but it was heavy. I looked inside again and saw a little jewelry box wrapped in paper. I thought it was earrings or a necklace. I opened the box and a ring was inside, I immediately starting crying so hard. Steve asked me to marry him and I hugged him as tight as I could. Jace started crying by this point because I was crying. Lol. Of course, I said yes. He made me the happiest woman alive that night. In September we were together for 3 years. Best three years of my life. We plan to get married in October in Ocean Springs, MS. I cannot wait to marry the man I love so deeply and continue our lives together. And, hopefully have another child that is just as sweet, loving, and beautiful as Jace is. With that I will leave you all with some photos.

 This first one is our Christmas Card Photo. Lol. He loves Elmo.

 I took this one of him a while back with my studio equipment.

 We went to Madison, IN in the fall and took some photos of him.

 These are 4 of my favorite people. Steve, Jace, and his parents.

 Is that not the best smile you have ever seen?

My new "job".....

Steve bought me a really good camera for Christmas and two editing programs. I posted a photo of the camera in my blog post entitled Creativity (I think). Anyway, I loved it of course. I was having so much fun taking photos of Jace and various other things. A few people encouraged me to start doing photography. I was super hesitant. I didn't know the first thing about being a photographer. My friend, Chrystal especially kept telling me how great my photos were. I have to give props to her. For some reason, I don't know why she gives me the courage to do anything. She is a super supportive friend. Steve also kept encouraging me. He said I had the personality to do it because I am so social. I wasn't like that in school. I was actually quite awkward, I think. I didn't really like talking to may people. My mother in law, Jan was also super supportive. She pointed out a few photographers and said I was just as good as they were. I was surprised. I didn't think I was doing anything great. I had a lot of supportive people needless to say including my sister, Denise. And my best friend, Kristina. I really could not have done this without these people in my life. I would have been too scared.

I am so glad that I listened to them. I love taking photos for people. I love when they get their product and are amazed at what they see. That makes me feel great, the feeling of making others happy. 

My friend Chrystal made all of my logos for me. She is super snazzy with photoshop and tons of other things. I admit, I am a tad jealous that I don't know the first thing about those types of things. She tried to explain something to me one night about the logo thing and I swear the girl was talking a foreign language. Maybe one day I will understand. Well, without further ado I will show you fine people some of my photos.

So, if you got through all of those congratulations. Lol. Sorry I put so many up, just wanted to put some for several of my sessions. Hope you all enjoy. Visit my faceboo fanpage and become a fan if you'd like. www.facebook.com/SandyWrightPhotography

Wowzer, I haven't updated in a while....

This blog post will be packed with updates. Maybe. Lol. I haven't updated in too long. Its because I am busy raising my child and jump starting my business. That's a lot of work. Jace is as awesome as ever. He is really one cool dude. I love him more each day. Its sad to see him grow every day but so great at the same time. With each comes something new that he can do. He's too smart for his own good. Ha. He turned one on March 2nd but we had his birthday party the weekend before. Here are a few photos.

 Excuse any blurriness in those photos. It was a 1st birthday party after all. Lol.

So updates on Jace. He weighs a whopping 21 lbs. Ha. That's not whopping, I was being sarcastic in case you missed that. He's right at 31 inches tall. His legs are pretty long. I thought for sure he was going to be short like my family but he may have some luck after all. I sure hope he is taller. Anyway, he has 12 teeth and has had them for some time. He loves to eat anything in sight. He does make a yuck face at some things but will still try it four or five times to be sure he doesn't like it. Lol. Silly boy. He loves being outside and most of he loves playing with sticks. And of course putting everything in sight in his mouth. He shakes his head yes and no. He likes to spin in circles and then fall down-I have been trying to get a video of this for a while but haven't been successful. Here are a few updated photos of him.

Creativity.....

My mother in law invited me to a card making workshop a few months ago. I was a little skeptical at first because I didn't know a thing in the world about "making" anything. And, I almost bailed on her because I hadn't felt good the first part of the day. I had started to feel better around the time I had to start getting ready so I decided to go anyway. When we walked in the door there were a few tables set up with supplies all around. A few minutes later the lady began to show us the outlines of the different cards we were going to make. They all seemed fairly easy. When she got finished telling us how to do them we all sat down and started to work. I was pleasantly surprised at how fast I got the hang of it. I even finished before a few people did and helped them out. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was something I had never done before. And, it got me out of the house for a couple hours. Jan (mother in law) & I went to Ihop afterwords and ate and talked about everything you can think of. I really do enjoy those times. To be quite honest my mother in law means a lot to me. She is special. She has been wonderful to me in so many ways, and so helpful. I really couldn't ask for a better mother in law. And, I am thankful that she asked and even wanted me to go with her to these workshops. So I'll post a few pictures of my favorite cards I've hand made at the workshops.

Anyway, since she took me to that card making workshop I have went crazy with crafting. Lol. To put it lightly. Ha. I think we have been to a total of 3 workshops so far. We didn't attend the last one because we already had a ton of Christmas cards and that is what was being made. Plus, I make picture Christmas cards. So since we weren't doing that for a couple of months I decided to stray and work on my own little project. Jan's birthday was coming up soon and I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do for her. I had already bought her gifts and knew I was going to send her some edible arrangements to work but I wanted to something handmade. Something special, just for her because she is so special to me. So I seen in one of our craft magazines these little "flower balls" as I call them. I don't know what the real name is and I don't believe there was a name for them in the magazine. I got the general idea from there. But, I took it to a whole new level. When I had the idea I never knew how time consuming or tedious the work was going to be. It took me quite a while to get them all done. I believe right at 3 weeks. Some people may say I could have gotten them done a lot faster but you have to remember I am a SAHM so I have my little guy to tend to 24/7 also. When I finally finished them I felt proud. I would have never considered myself to be crafty. I didn't feel like I could ever do anything neat or cool. I'm down on myself a lot, I guess I just needed people to believe in me. Steve was very encouraging when I was doing the flower balls. He told me what looked great and what didn't. So without further ado here is a couple pictures of the flower ball bouquet I made for my wonderful mother in law who by the way, loved them :)

Now, since making these and posting them on facebook I've gotten a lot of great feedback. I never imagined that people would actually like something that I made. My friend Chrystal told me one night that if I ever started selling them to let her know because she knew of someone that wanted to buy them. Wow! I was so flattered. So after much consideration I've decided to give it a shot. I've already made one for my first customer, but I have another two or three to make. I'm almost finished with the second one. I've just been trying to figure out better ways to do them. As you can see from the one's I made for mother in law you can see some of the foam ball. I'm trying to fix that but its not easy. I'm sure I'll get it right eventually though. But, here is what I have so far. Obviously the yellow one is the one not completed. The other one I would still like to do some tweaking. We'll see.

I also took a few pictures of my work station I'll share with you guys. Not that its great, or interesting. But, just for the heck of it.

And, paper galore......Lol. There is more where that came from. Steve said the other day when we were shopping in Jo-Anns "My mom has created a monster." I said yep, a craft monster. Haha.

I hope you guys enjoyed reading about my new found talents. Lol. And, if you were bored to death I'm terribly sorry :)

10 months...

Jace turned 10 months old today. He's growing incredibly fast. And, he is super smart. He took his first two steps today. I cried like a baby and Steve laughed at me. Ha. I know its only two steps but being a mom I was extremely excited. He fell right after, which he didn't like so much. He wasn't hurt, I guess it just scared him and made him lose a little confidence. I've already been on my toes as fast as he crawls. Now I am really in trouble. Lol. I'm loving every minute of it though. He's a sweetie!

Here he is with his arms way up in the air. He loves to do this and watch us mimic him. He'll keep doing it as long as you do it back. Too cute. He gives high five now too.

Here he is thinking-Really mom, do you keep having to take pictures of me?

I really like this picture of him. We were trying to do some cute pics of him but he was crawling all over the place. I'm surprised I got the few I did.

And, this one has got to be my favorite. It took me a million shots to get this. Lol. But, it was definitely well worth it.

Its so hard to believe how much he has grown. I know I have said that before, but it really is. In three short months he will be a year old.....