There’s been a lot of drama going on in the photographic industry. Much more than usual, and much nastier than I’ve ever seen it.
Can we just be drama-free for a second, while I offer a suggestion?
Let’s stop. Let’s forget mud-slinging and name-calling. They’re not doing anyone any good. Being mean and hurtful won’t get anyone’s money back.
Let’s agree to live life with cash — meaning, if that $750+ workshop is awful, it won’t mean more credit card debt. Just chalking one up to experience.
Let’s stop relying on one person, event, day, or workshop to reveal our own vision to us. You find vision, refine your style, and generally learn more about yourself by stepping into the world with your camera. Not your camera and a mentor and 22 workshop attendees. Your vision lives in the part of you that is quiet and still, the part that cannot be denied or manipulated and that does not respond to seeing x or y photographer in person any more or less than it responds to a sunset.
Let’s stop copying one set of post-processing tricks, ideas, or tips to get to a better end product in our photography.
Let’s explore on our own, innovate, and stop consuming blogs like they’re going to make us anything but prone to copy-cat-edness.
Let’s remember that photography is precious and powerful.
For an example, watch this video:
The photography of Jonathan Canlas, the funeral of Natalie Norton‘s baby son, Gavin. I dare you to be worried about who said what about whom after watching.
Let’s forget the drama and let our work — and our lives — shine.
For the record, I still heart workshops and learning. I’m attending Jonathan’s Park City workshop in October. And I paid cash. 
This is one of my fav quotes …
“To achieve originality we need to ABANDON the comforts of habit, reason, and the APPROVAL of our peers, and strike out in new directions …” – Marty Neumeier
I have it hanging on my wall next to my computer to remind me of that EVERYDAY!
Thanks for the post and attempting to keep peeps LEVEL HEADED — You’re the bomb!!
FAB quote, Alison!!
i like this… a lot
Yes. Yes to all of this. I’m very thankful that I got some good advice quite awhile ago from some wise ladies, who may or may not be photographers, to lay off the massive blog consumption. Only read what you love and would read anyway. =) Great post.
You got it, Karyn.
Many thanks for your kind words, peeps.
right on.
I agree. 100%
It is all about perspective.
Love it! I too am going to Jonathan Canlas’ workshop, but in San Diego.
As a side note, People need to research the workshop before they attend it, and make sure it FITS them first. Newbie photogs also had it comin…you can’t expect to have a quick fix and instant stardom for $750. 
VERY well said!
SO true!!! Thank you for posting this!! All the drama has really been such a bummer lately, and I appreciate you honest step back and comments on it. Everyone needs to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing/saying so much, and stop looking for/assuming the worst in others. Focus on our businesses, and helping other grow, that’s all was can do.
Thank for for this wonderful, inspiring post!
Great post. Thanks for that reminder!
Exactly!!
That discussion made me feel sick, and your post was just the antidote I needed. Maybe I just want to hide my head in the sand, but I can’t bear to think that there are such mean people out there. Thankyou for redressing the balance!
thank you for this post.
well said well spoken.
a long time ago I realized those who boost so loudly typically aren’t what I want to strive to be. i want to simply be proud of me, in my community, in my town, in my region. I want to work a little, love my family a lot and be passionate. end of story. getting caught up in what others are doing by blog stalking is poisonous to your creativity and soul, it only breeds envy and that is not productive!
thank you lil’ miss words of wisdom for this post
Halle-freaking-lujah!
It’s about time someone said it like it is. People, we are in the business of ART, and therefore all opinions are subjective.
Sure, we can look to others to help draw out the best in ourselves, but to get so caught up in our own drama as an industry is simply childish. Look beyond the argument and focus on your customers. They’re the ones who are going to define success for you.
Thanks for the reality check. I love you.
luckily i wasnt even aware of this drama. i used to get on the dwf just to read the ridiculousness of it all. middle aged men and women bickering like they were in junior high again. i stopped because i would waste hours reading all that negativity and it was depressing.
i try to stay positive but cant help but look at others blogs all day and compare.
i totally agree about the workshops though.
i sat in a field watching the sunset this afternoon and was more inspired than i have been in a long time and it was totally FREE
Your words are wise.
Thank you thank you thank YOU!
AMEN. This is so great and we all need to hear it and take it to heart!
Wow, just beautifully captured. What a gift. Thanks for sharing.