"What can you do for me...?"

If after getting to know someone for a week or so, sometimes not even THAT long, you get the vibe that they are one of those people that is constantly thinking "What can you do for me, to make me bigger and better"... RUN. 

This is not someone that will build you up, or even help you in your photography career or throughout life in general. They will only drain you, and distract your focus.

Over the past few years, and espeically in NYC, I've learned to differentiate between a few different kinds of people.

• Type 1: Passionate, giving, loyal people
• Ex: People that give without expectations.
• Type 2: Selfish 'ME, ME, ME' people. 
• Ex: Teach me this, help me that, do do do for meeeeeee!
• Type 3: People that 'play nice' but are only really doing it because they want something from you. 
• Ex: I'll rub your back, but I'm going to expect a lot in return.

Type 1: I fall into the first type. And the people I bust my tail for do as well. 

Meet my photo Homies:

Left to right; Kam, April, Kyle.

Kam shot my wedding after the photographer was a no show. April shot our engagement photos and bridal portraits just so we'd have them. Kyle, well... I'm not sure how to explain Kyle but he is always around to help when he ANSWERS HIS PHONE! And can help.
I love them all and we all help each other out as much as we possibly can. Pulling strings for the others, giving ideas, props, clothing, models etc. THESE types of friendships are what makes photography enjoyable. 

Type 2: While offering guidance in Hawaii, I was met with a completely different type of person. One that was so selfish, it was incomprehensible. I would get calls/ texts at all hours of the night and on top of that this person stabbed me in the back. I lost all respect and loyalty for this person and had to rethink my friendships with all because it became VERY obvious it was never about a friendship, only 'me, me, me'. We all have to learn these hard lessons, this is when I learned mine. 

Type 3: *Big breath in.* This type of person could be one that plays the political game. They help just enough by name dropping or getting you into a location or event that they believe you owe them in a very large way. Like your entire career depended on that one shoot... (highly doubtful).  Stand your ground. Give credit where credit is due with this type, but never get in over your head when its obvious you need to get out because this 'type' will never be satisfied. Play your cards, but hold your temper. 'Save face' but quietly disappear.

Back to Type 1: I have two favorite "regular" (non photo) boys that need to be acknowledged. 

 

This is Justin. He turned into my main assistant for my "Memories of Detroit" project and I seriously can not imagine doing it without him. (He doubled as my body guard (haha, you see how skinny he is, right?)) In all seriousness, I could not have done it without him. I always need someone to go with me in Detroit. Either to navigate, take pictures while I'm driving to remind me of locations or to just be pretty and hold the reflector for me. :P Justin was my man! Only a phone call away, and pretty cheap rates! (Hot Taco for lunch and he was a happy boy!) Thank you so much Justin for being my bestie assistant ever!

 

(large format camera/ 4x5 film)

And here we have a shot of my Husband and I! (That's Kyle again holding the light! I told ya that boy is always around!) Somehow, my Hubby gets drug into my crazy schemes of randomness but seems to like it? lol. I'm very thankful that he goes with the flow and is the opposite of me (in that sense). He too does his own kind of photography that some day I will share (I don't think the world is ready just yet) lol. He's the reason I didn't back out of purchasing my first camera and is my other behind the scenes helper. 

For those of you that are loyal, true friends- thank you. 

As for the 'other types'... I hope I have more true friends in my life than your kind. 

Scarlett J. 

All rights reserved on Images- to Scarlett Jewel Photography.