10/31/2026
Can we talk about something absolutely ridiculous for a minute?
I’ve been a professional photographer for YEARS.
YEARS, PEOPLE.
I’ve photographed thousands of people. Taken more images than I could possibly count. Spent countless hours behind a camera, in front of a computer, and occasionally questioning whether my eyeballs are still functioning properly.
Honestly, I’ve spent so much time in Lightroom that I’m surprised Adobe hasn’t offered me an employee discount.
I KNOW what I’m doing.
I’m confident in my work. I love what I create. I spend ridiculous amounts of time making sure every little detail is just right.
And then…
IT’S TIME TO SEND A CLIENT THEIR GALLERY.
And apparently, all those years of experience just pack their little bags and leave the building!
WHY AM I LIKE THIS?!
Five minutes earlier, I’m sitting at my computer thinking, “Ohhhh, these turned out SO GOOD!”
I’ve selected the images. Edited them. Checked everything. Probably checked everything again because apparently I enjoy creating unnecessary work for myself.
I’ve zoomed in to 200% to fix things nobody else on the planet would ever notice. Compared two nearly identical images for ten minutes because one has a slightly better expression. Moved the same editing slider back and forth six times only to end up exactly where I started.
The gallery is ready. The delivery email is written. The link works.
All I have to do is click SEND.
Simple, right?
HAHAHAHA. That’s adorable.
Because suddenly my brain decides we need to have a little meeting.
Me: “Okay! Everything looks beautiful. We’re done!”
Also me: “Are we though?”
Did I miss something?
Should I have included that other image?
Was that crop a little too tight?
Is the color exactly how I want it?
Wait. Didn’t I already check that?
WHAT IF THESE AREN’T AS GOOD AS I THINK THEY ARE?!
Oh, for the love of everything. 🙄😂
Never mind that I’ve been doing this for years.
Never mind that I KNOW how much work went into these images.
Apparently, the second I’m about to hand them over to someone else, my confidence decides it’s time for an unscheduled vacation.
And here’s the ridiculous part.
I know I’m being ridiculous.
I can literally sit there and tell myself, “You’ve done your job. You’ve created beautiful images. Everything is FINE.”
And my brain responds with, “Okay, but have we considered every possible scenario in which everything is NOT fine?”
Oh, wonderful. Thank you for your contribution. 🙄😂
Eventually, I hit send.
And just like that, the gallery is out in the world. All those hours of work, all those tiny decisions, and all that second-guessing are officially out of my hands.
And I move on to the next thing on my never-ending list. Another gallery, another session, another 47 emails that apparently reproduced while I wasn’t looking.
But here’s the thing.
I don’t think that little moment of nerves will ever completely go away.
Because these aren’t just images on a computer screen. They’re people’s families, kids, milestones, and moments they can’t get back.
And I want to do right by them.
So yes, after all these years, I still get butterflies when I send a gallery.
Although at this point, I think my butterflies could use a little therapy.
Anyway, if you’ve ever received a gallery from me, just know there’s a good chance that moments before I clicked send, I was sitting at my desk looking like a perfectly calm, experienced professional.
While internally acting like a contestant waiting to hear whether they’ve made it to the next round of American Idol.
Then I hit send, take a sip of coffee, and go right back to work like none of that nonsense just happened.
It’s fine.
Everything is FINE.
