I've been debating doing this  specific blog for a while. It concerns all the competition out there, let's  face it there are a lot of photographers in the world and most certainly locally where I live.

We have websites where most everything is for  public view. So people can see and  admire your artistic work.  It can be  flattering and pretty cool when someone mimics your ideas, or  mimics your composition or even goes to specific location that you have shared images of.

And then you'll see an image Facebook or Instagram and think "oh wow that looks kind like some of the photos I've done for someone."

I see a lot of this and I am a good person and assume good in everyone. I don't go and confront people unless I've seen someone point-blank still my images and remove my watermark, that's only happened a handful of times and then they promptly removed it and apologize . Cool.

 They didn't know what they were doing, or so they say. Again , I will "assume good intent" 

 Recently I removed my birth photographer and doula fees from my website because I was doing interviews with potential clients and they would bring it to my attention that oh this person is the same price if you or this person is less than you or someone a would actually show me some the competitors in the area and the prices. 

 I've been in photography for a long time I've been doing this over half my life. I started out in film and switched to digital in 2009. I use Lightroom and Photoshop like many. However I like to keep images as they appear to my eyes. I will edit and remove what my clients ask, like blemishes . 

 Birth Photography is a competitive thing right now and it's a very popular thing but it gets really frustrating when you try to do good and assume the best of your competitors when they are bad mouthing you to the public or to people you interviewed and you find out that they have said things about you. That is a sign of true un-professionalism (and I got hired).

 I guess my point with all of this is be careful this is the business world and we all know that and I try not to take things personally because in the end I know what I'm doing is my own creative style, I don't need to copy anyone because I have a lot of experience and in this town pretty much the most experience of in birth photography.  I am also a certified birth doula, and that is a huge plus because I know birth! I have been a "volunteer breastfeeding support person " since 1997 , so breastfeeding images are also a long time passion.

But we have to face it in this world there are dishonest people,  a lot of insecure people, a lot of people with passive aggressive behaviors. I've seen it first hand. I read about other photographers across the world that also deal with it. I am on several birth photographer FB groups, and a few share the same stories, and worse! 

 I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing, do my best like I always have and do my own work and if someone copies my 'art' I guess I need to look at as a compliment that I am better than they are in their eyes. 

Be creative. Be genuine . 

Photography preserves memories. Photography gives you a way to share your story of life for future generations. Allow me to capture these times for your story.
~Life is precious...it's worth capturing~

~Lisa O