OK...I am going to let you in on a little secret. I can't even believe that I am telling you this...are you ready? I don't know everything. There I said it! Oh, I am sorry were you hoping for something more juicy and exciting??? LOL.
But seriously...as a photographer I find that many of my clients think I must be very creative and ask me to do other design work...which is normally fine. But the other day, I had a client ask me to develop a logo for them. Sounds pretty cool. But I was skeptical (with my abilities). Photography is one thing. Logo design is a whole other world. So I tentatively accepted the challenge...but gave myself an out (basically stating upfront that I have not created logos and might not be the right person for the job). So last night I sat staring at my computer going...WTF. I tried a few things...downloaded a few new brushes and bought a few PNG files (very cheap...thank god!). But my brain just froze. And I realized in that moment...this is out of my league. And I was fine with that. I really need to stick with what I know! Give me a camera and some photoshop actions...I am all good. Tell me to create a brand and logo...uh...not so much! I am writing about this because I think many of us climb into this boat now and then. And I do think it's good to try new things...For sure! BUT...I think we all know our limits. AND that is OK! Be honest with yourself!
Anyway, this morning I sent a message to my client explaining that I am not the right person for the job. I didn't really like saying that, but I was truthful and upfront. I don't want to waste their time and money and not come up with the results. And you know what...they were pretty darn happy with my honesty. And I think I just saved myself and my client hours of frustration. And in the end, that is a very good thing!
So yeah...I just thought I would share this today. Like I said, it's good to try new things...but it's also good to know when to say..."this is just not my area of expertise." It does not mean you are a failure! It just means you can't do everything perfectly. And that's totally cool!
Well that is my Friday lesson...LOL.
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
xoxo
14 comments:
A good reminder for all of us. So well said!
Good message and one we all need to remember from time to time...
BTW I love you new page design...now that is something your really good at...me, not so much...
I'm just trying to stay afloat on the blog...and learn some tips on the photograph...I'll get it eventually if I keep visiting you and Kim Klassen...your both my favorites....
Have a super, duper weekend...I have to get back to cleaning my office...I heard somewhere that creatives need a clean space...that could be my problem right there.
Cheryl
We all have our limitations! I know I certainly do.
THAT is what networking is for. When you have a creative collective to pull from you can hand out recommendations left and right for friends/family that do have the skills that may be in order. Clients LOVE that! they like to know that if you can't help them you can point them in a trusted direction of one who can. So get out that networking address book and add "graphic designer" to it.
~Dawn
WHAT? You don't know everything? I am so disappointed!! I thought for sure either you or I knew everything!! bwwahhaaa!! Maybe between us we know "something"??? You're too funny woman!
But your true message...stick with what you know? Yes. I love that you tried, that you gave it a go and challenged yourself. And I love even more that you didn't beat yourself up about it and said "this isn't me" and let the client know. You do one thing, someone else does something else and maybe you make those connections for future so that you can say "I don't do that but let me refer you to ..." and the other person does the same for you. Works, right?
It's so important to know what you're good at. I always tell people that my super power is copy writing and copy editing. Typos just jump out at me. Don't ask me to do anything photoshop-y, but I can edit copy and transform it into clear, concise, consumable information. Keep me in your rolodex in case you ever get a call for a copywriter and I'll do the same for you for photography. :-)
9 times out of 10, I must admit that honesty is truly the best policy. Hope your weekend is a good one, Caroline ~
Rose - you got it!!!
A wonderful post, and a great message, Caroline. One I will definitely remember.
Thank you, and have a great weekend!
it's always good to know your limitations, and for some reason, that didn't happen for me until i was 40....NOW, i know when and how to say, "NO"......
this past fall i said my first "no" to a photo session i knew i couldn't give my heart to....and that felt soooo good :)
so good for you, caroline....for saying "no" and being honest!!!
That's such a great reminder. My husband owns his own business and this is a message I've tried to get across to him in the past...mostly because there are times he doesn't share the same vision as the other person. Hope you're having a good weekend :)
Super cool message C...right on...honesty HAS to count for something in this world of liars and cheats!
Oh my gosh, it is so FREEING when you release yourself from having to to know how to do everything. I used to feel that way about the styling aspect of portrait photography... everything from clothing to props etc. I knew I was good at capturing moments as I saw them unfold naturally, but I always felt *not good enough* when it came to setting stuff up. It wasn't until I talked to another photographer friend that everything turned around.. she said "that's what stylists are for! Photographers use them all the time!" sigh.
I learned to stick with what I was good at... keeping things simple, photographing natural moments as they happen.. and I feel so much better for not knowing how to do it all.
Such a great post.
And it's so great to be here visiting you again!
We so often want to be ALL things to ALL people, but it just doesn't work that way. Kudos to you for being honest about it. I bet you felt a big weight lift off when you made the decision.
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