01/13/2026
Hello!
Since I am no longer going to be pursuing working in the photography field the way I used to, I think it's time to put it out there and talk about why photographers in the specifically "fine art and fashion" quit on and off all of the time. So let's chat.
The artists support other artists gambit is usually a lie. The market is saturated with backstabbers, fake friends, and people who want what you have without working for it. I have had ideas stolen before I could complete them, I have had other professionals start rumors about me to steal my clients, I have even had my images stolen and used as marketing for other photographers.
The main studios you see being pushed on the south shore are the worst offenders. I shared a space with one of them because they were on the verge of going bankrupt and I needed space to grow. That person constantly talked badly about me and threw my equipment, supplies and projects around in front of other associates talking about how I leave everything everywhere. I had a shelf. One shelf in her huge studio space and she never even put anything on it. She'd rather throw my boxes around on the floor to make a point than have it on a shelf out of the way. I also paid half of her rent and she made me promise to keep her actual costs private because she over charges people to use her studio. As long as I knew her she has never once built a set on her own, she instead cons her friends into doing it so she can go out and smoke. She does not pay her photographers. She completely stiffed me and another photographer on the last event we worked together then used the profit money to go on vacation. After that snub I left, and she had a meltdown and gathered bills to try to get me to pay half of her utilities which was never in our agreement.
Flash forward to me running my own space. I still ran into clients that heard about me through this person and was pleasantly surprised that I was not insane or rude like they had been told. I worked really hard, insanely hard to fully build custom sets that no one has ever seen before and it was a huge hit! However it cost alot of overhead and I unfortunately had to charge as such. Ai came out and no one wanted to pay. I got scoffed by a regular client because my price had to go up. I pushed my body to the absolute limit and I am still dealing with the burn out from it all years later. I miss my studio. I miss my clients. But I do not miss the drama, the chaos, and the utter war field that is the local art industry right now. I am currently pursuing a new career path but art will always be my number one love. Once I am healthy enough to take on projects, while building this new life, I will rebuild again, but for me. I will never ever build the way I used to, desperate to prove myself and outdo the liars, cheaters, and crooks in the industry. I have kept quiet for a long time to continue being likable, palatable, and fun to be around. But I am realizing I can still be those things while also honoring my truth.
So thats it folks. The industry is a sad, war filled land and it's not worth fighting for. If I work again, and we get to meet each other between the lens again just know, this is not apart of the industry land, I am my own safe haven island and I have nothing to do with all the bull s**t that is happening around there. If you work with me again, it will be our own corner of the world where magic happens and the hate that penetrates this industry has no place there.
If you want recommendations to who to go to and who to stay away from I will do my best to guide. If we already have a great working relationship I still will work with you in this in between time while I figure myself out. I will also still be taking family sessions, portrait sessions, and weddings always. So please don't hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for supporting me through this crazy ride, and thank you for reading this far. I know this may stir some pots here but I have never felt so free.
