Don't be busy.

There’s one thing that all us #smallbiz owners have in common: we’re busy. ⁣⁣

“How are you doing?” “I’m soooo BUSY.”⁣

“Are you going to so-and-so’s party?” “No, I’m BUSY.”⁣

“Did you see the last episode of Madam Secretary?” “Nope, too BUSY.”

⁣⁣BUSY. BUSY. BUSY. ⁣⁣

But, here’s the thing: every time we tell someone, ‘I’m busy,’ two things happen...⁣⁣

  1. THE CONVERSATION ENDS because 'I'm busy,' doesn’t give the other person the opportunity to learn anything more about us, to offer support, to help us problem solve or to celebrate with us; and/or⁣

  2. THE RELATIONSHIP SUFFERS because we have - in an instant - determined that the inquiring person doesn’t deserve, doesn’t care or can’t be trusted to know how we’re really doing. We’ve brushed them off with a vague, boilerplate answer and they know it (maybe only subconsciously); eventually, they’ll stop asking, and we’ll believe they don't care. (#selffulfillingprophecy)⁣⁣

I am not suggesting that we should launch into our life stories or describe our every feeling each time a stranger asks how we’re doing. But, what if we occasionally chose to say we’re TIRED because we chose to schedule one more meeting, rather than sleep? Or that we’re DISCONNECTED or LONELY because we haven’t had much quality time with friends and family. Or, that we’re EXCITED because we're chasing our dreams!

⁣⁣Changing that one little word allows our friends to check in on us, to offer help, support and love. Changing that one little word allows our families to play a part in our journeys - the highs and the lows. Changing that one little word allows us to be vulnerable, proud and most importantly...human. ⁣⁣

So, friends, how are you doing⁣?

PART ONE :: Copyright or copywrong?

CEASE & DESIST ⬅️ mis-use professional photographs on social media, in print or elsewhere and you may find one of these letters in your 📬. Fail to comply with that cease and desist letter and you may find yourself in court ⚖️ – being SUED for violation of copyright. That’ll wake you up quicker than ☕️, won’t it? 😬

Now, let’s talk for a hot minute about how to avoid all that unwanted drama: EDUCATION.

Social media has created a lot of gray area and spread a lot of misinformation over the years – particularly when it comes to the proper use, sharing and crediting of professional photos online. So, let me break it down for you: if I create the photograph, then I own the rights to that image and should be credited appropriately. You may not edit, crop or sell that image without my permission. Violate any one of these things without a prior written agreement in place and you may have violated copyright. (17 U.S.C. 201 if you want to wade through the legalese)

Wow. Yikes. Raise your hand if you’ve ever been guilty of posting a professional image without credit? or cropping it from a vertical to a square? Or adding an Insta-filter to your favorite wedding image? Go ahead 🙋🏼‍♀️ no one can see you and even if they could, you’d be in good company because this practice, these violations, run RAMPANT on social media. All because PEOPLE DON’T KNOW BETTER!!!

A part two on this topic will be coming in the future, but before that can hit the web, I need your HELP…

Clients / Vendors: What questions do you have about copyright and image ownership? How can photographers better communicate with you about proper image use?

Photographers: how are you educating your clients / vendors on proper image etiquette? Are you respectfully reciprocating by tagging vendors in your images? Leave a comment below and let’s talk!