Have you ever met someone who was just a complete downer? yeah, me too. Like the occasional employee at the store who clearly hates their job, and in turn, reflects that in their experience with you– rule#1 of having a job, any job: if you don't love or even simply like your job, then quit. Okay, maybe that isn't a real rule, but it should be! Valuing what you do, no matter what it is that you are doing, and reflecting that into the way you do your job truly makes for more success and better results. It also makes you a better person in general. People will like you and like you for what you do too!
My first two jobs were hospitality positions. My first job (don't laugh) was a server at Johnny Rockets. HOLY MOLY putting a 16 year old girl in a serving position was a huge wake up call. Here is the thing, i tend to have a slight issue with patience. Extreme test to the max. My second job, was as a barista and at small family owned coffee shop. These two jobs truly taught me to value my job and made me aware of my attitude. Not a day went by that I wouldn't encounter once of those people who seem to hate life in general. What got me was, why are they taking out their own personal, obviously psychotic issues out on me!?
– My favorite example: I was yelled or strongly spoken to by a woman who came into the coffee shop frequently, often. Still to this day, I know her routine and order. She was a biker (bicycle not motorcycle). She would come in, and order a single shot of espresso, go to the restroom for a while washing her hands or something, by that time her espresso is ready down at the bar. Complaint #1: She constantly told me that her espresso was cold. (1) because you have been gone for 10 minutes. by that time i learned to wait to give her espresso until she reappeared. and even then it was "cold" I reassured her that the espresso comes out of the machine at 180 degrees, i don't think it is cold... Complaint#2: She constantly told me it wasn't good. After readjusting her shots several time, it still wasn't good. Yet she still came in. It may have been that she stirred sugar into her espresso resulting in the breaking of the crema, which doesn't taste too yummy afterwards. I never made her happy, but learned to smile at her. Where am I going with this? Well, I learned that for as much as I just wanted to yell at her, what would that do? This lady had complaints about everything. This lady and her constant attitude and complaints are a result of something greater and she let that come across in the way she spoke to me and others. Even after trying to be a nice person and hopefully make a small percentage of her day better
In my current job(s) I value my attitude towards others. I am not the most "experienced" designer and photographer out there and surely not the best, but I value the work of others. Yes, I have my way of doing things, my own style and comforts, but learning from even the most inexperienced is rewarding too. I say this because lately I have noticed the "stingy-ness" of the art world. There are many photographers and designers out there who got to where they are at by working their butts off and believe that everyone should do the same. Yes, to an extent. I believe everyone's own business or work needs to be worked for, but as someone who is working to get myself to higher up there, I find joy in sharing my secrets and values with others and being known for that. I want to be that fellow photographer and designer who helped someone out. The one who worked with a tight budget, hung out an extra hour free of charge, who threw a little something extra into a design just because, who emailed or called a bride just to say hello and how things were going, who did someone a favor, who shared a huge successful secret. I want to value the opinions of people who do what i do and not want to do everything my way– that wont get you anywhere. I want someone to look back at me and say, wow, she must love her job!!! YES, i do! It is as simple as that. Leave all of my rambling behind and exit your screen with that; love what you do, and make sure it comes across in your attitude. That is the key to success.
photo: a
jae photography shot from the Kaylor Wedding.
I had fun on my latest session. A new little one coming a long. We tried being creative & doing some weird things. haha. I felt bad for asking here to walk o the other hill as I stayed put, but I am pretty happy with this different kind of shot. more to come soon.
