I am not making fun of you.

Well, it seems that my last article (You are not a lifestyle photographer) caused some hurt feelings. So let me explain something.

I am not making fun of you.

When you consult with someone whose sole purpose is to help you turn around your situation, they don’t pussy foot around. They point out what needs changed.

If you want immediate changes and results, stick around. I will cut to the chase and you will learn some lessons.

I don’t know you and you don’t know me. I can’t meet with you one on one or answer questions about personal business practices from every single reader. It would be impossible.

What I *CAN* do is write articles that are extremely thought provoking. I want to make you think and sometimes in order to do that, I need to write in a manner that’s a little “in your face.” That’s what it takes to inspire immediate change.

Think of the drill instructor-type exercise programs out there. Yep, that’s me. I’m not gonna yell and scream and call you a pansy – that would just be mean, but what I can do is dance with you to the edge of uncomfortableness. And we’re not gonna waltz there, we’re gonna jitterbug & Charleston. It’s gonna be like “Dirty Dancing,” “Flash Dance” and “Riverdance” rolled into one. You’re gonna get hot and sweaty and wonder why you ever signed up for this. And sometimes you’re going to walk off the dance floor and go pout in the corner because this is too hard, too uncomfortable and you think I’m mean and don’t give enough breaks.

That’s ok. My style of “intervention” may not work for you. I might be pushing you harder than you want to work. That’s ok, too. Take a break, come back or don’t come back. My advice is free, so it’s worth what you paid for it.

BUT, I’ve been there. I’ve made a lot of mistakes and some of them are the inspiration for the articles I write (Yes, I even used a bed sheet for a background). Save yourself some time and heartache. There’s no need for you to learn these lessons the hard way.

And to anyone who was really offended by this morning’s article, here is the response I wrote to someone who was upset with me, maybe it will help you out, too:

No need to get updumped – You obviously misinterpreted the purpose of the article. I am only pointing out that the term “lifestyle photographer” is SO overused that the descriptors in the article are what runs through most people’s heads when they hear it. If you want to separate yourself out from the people that those descriptors DO apply to (and trust me – there are many!), then you need to find a different way of describing your photography. Try “natural light photographer” or think of a tagline like “family fun in the sun” – just something else that will separate you out from the pack. If you’re serious about your craft, you will want advice that sets you apart. I’m just helping you figure that out before it’s too late and you’ve plopped yourself solidly in the middle of that stereotype and can’t figure out how to change the public’s perception of you. OK? It’s all good.