To Whom it May Concern:

laynea24 · Dec 9, 2012

Whoever told Mechelle that I started the thread yesterday is just plain rude. Her feelings were already hurt enough. Now that she knows someone she went to school with was talking bad about her work, she is even more hurt. I don't know if you were trying to help, or if you were trying to start drama. Anyway, I already felt bad enough for the thread. Now I feel even worse. So, thanks.. Thanks a lot. I guess whatever happens on TPF doesn't stay on TPF. I apologized to her and I can only hope that she will forgive me. She was probably already over what people wrote on her wall. Then when she found out I said something, it made it worse.

MechelleLucilla · Dec 9, 2012

I am very hurt but I will get past it and try to take it as help. I am hurt it came from someone I went to school with but more that you couldnt just come to me about it. I do forgive you but please next time come to me instead of putting me through this. I dont think they were trying to start drama but prob just saw that I was extremely upset.

laynea24 · Dec 9, 2012

I didn't know you were on TPF! I'm glad you forgive me. Welcome to the forum. It's a great place to learn. Just be ready for criticism. I cried once!

MechelleLucilla · Dec 9, 2012

If its anything like what happened to my fb page then yea Ive already cried but yes I joined today, and thank you.

laynea24 · Dec 9, 2012

It's exactly like that. Sometimes nicer, sometimes more harsh. You're welcome.

manicmike · Dec 9, 2012

I do agree that some people got a little unnecessarily rude. I may not have been too bad, but I'd still like to apologize. I was going to go back to that thread, but it disappeared. I think the issue people are having is charging as a beginner. I understand charging for your time; completely legit reason. Anyway don't be afraid to learn. We all start somewhere.

MechelleLucilla · Dec 9, 2012

I dont charge much and they get every picture I dont try to act like a professional even though id like to be one. I understand people getting upset but half the time i dont even charge the people for anything. I didnt get the see the actual post but I did see what everyone wrote on my page. thank you for your apology

purple_jewels · Dec 9, 2012

Hi Mechelle and welcome to TPF. This is my opinion so take what you want and leave the rest. I love photography. I am a hobbyists photographer. I take pictures for fun only. I sometimes put them on this forum for CC. When I put my images up here for CC I am getting what I asked for be it them getting ripped apart or them being liked I'm getting the CC I asked for. I looked at your FB page in the about section you state you want us meaning the public to let you know what we think. Some of the public did that harsh as it was it needed to be said. You will only get better if you take that CC and learn from it. That's how we get better is to learn from our mistakes. As you stated many many times your just beginning you have a lot to learn. If you are willing to put your personal feelings aside and actually listen to the CC you will learn. It's hard to get good CC from our loved ones ie our mommies cause of course they think your amazing in every way. I'm glad you joined TPF!! Welcome again. OP as far as your post goes I feel like people are always going to talk and the Internet is definitely not a place to try to keep secrets...if they were trying to cause drama then that's very high school, but I'm happy that mechelle has found her way to the forum. OP I would also like to say I have looked at the work you have posted here and you have a lot of talent!! Good luck in starting your business!!

pixmedic · Dec 9, 2012

you have to realize, that once you accept monetary compensation for your work, no matter the amount, you put yourself out as a professional. as such, you are legally obligated for the taxes on that income, and also can be held legally responsible for any injuries your clients suffer while you are working with them. many here also feel that once you are in a position where you charge for services, you should already be at a level both knowledge and equipment wise to be able to provide a higher quality product than the average consumer. which you currently are not. if you are unable to accept and assimilate criticism of your work and practices, this may not be the forum for you. we have all taken our lumps here at one time or another. we improve and move on.

just remember, there are many working professionals here that have spent the time and the money making themselves a legal business tax and insurance wise, and have invested in the proper equipment needed to deliver a quality product during any situation.
proper business practices is a pet peeve with a lot of people here.

other than that, welcome to the forum!

Derrel · Dec 9, 2012

laynea24 said:
Whoever told Mechelle that I started the thread yesterday is just plain rude. Her feelings were already hurt enough. Now that she knows someone she went to school with was talking bad about her work, she is even more hurt. I don't know if you were trying to help, or if you were trying to start drama. Anyway, I already felt bad enough for the thread. Now I feel even worse. So, thanks.. Thanks a lot. I guess whatever happens on TPF doesn't stay on TPF. I apologized to her and I can only hope that she will forgive me. She was probably already over what people wrote on her wall. Then when she found out I said something, it made it worse.

Oh come on laynea...it wasn't me who contacted Mechelle...but seriously...come on girl....YOU ARE the ***ONE*** who drew attention to Mechelle's page, her actions, and her photography. Please, do not try and "pass the buck" (which means do NOT try to shift the responsibility to others, when it falls DIRECTLY UPON your very OWN shoulders...). You are the one who posted the link to her Facebook photography page, on one of the world's most-popular on-line photography forums...yeah...TPF...one of the world's largest photography forums...you are the one who held her up to ridicule.

So, please, laynea, do not thank us...you are the one who deserves all the thanks.

And welcome to TPF Mechelle. We will gladly help you with your photography. No judgement. Just advice. Free advice.

texkam · Dec 9, 2012

Oh come on laynea...it wasn't me who contacted Mechelle...but seriously...come on girl....YOU ARE the ***ONE*** who drew attention to Mechelle's page, her actions, and her photography. Please, do not try and "pass the buck" (which means do NOT try to shift the responsibility to others, when it falls DIRECTLY UPON your very OWN shoulders...). You are the one who posted the link to her Facebook photography page, on one of the world's most-popular on-line photography forums...yeah...TPF...one of the world's largest photography forums...you are the one who held her up to ridicule.

So, please, laynea, do not thank us...you are the one who deserves all the thanks.

+1. Own it.

MechelleLucilla · Dec 9, 2012

I understand CC and yes my feelings got hurt but it was mostly people putting me down instead helping. Thank you I hope this site will help me I didnt know about it until today when people told me why I was getting all the negative feedback. People have been pretty honest if they liked my work or not and some have given CC that really helped me but none like what happened to me today and last night. But thank you all for welcoming me.

SCraig · Dec 9, 2012

The majority of the praise from Facebook members is from people who think cell phone cameras provide high-quality imagery. This is a photography forum, not a social media forum. We don't care about "Likes" we don't have "Walls" we don't shy away from telling the truth. If you want pats on the back or nothing but "Likes" hang around Facebook. If you want the truth about your photographic abilities then try a photography forum, this one or another.

A word of warning though: As others have alluded, we are going to tell the truth. If your "Work" is bad then we are going to tell you it's bad and it's up to you to learn from that or not. It's not that we enjoy hurting people's feelings but if you look around there are dozens of requests for C&C every day of the year. In another month that will triple for a while as soon as the "Christmas Pros" start showing up. There are a LOT of highly talented photographers on this board and if you listen to what they advise you will get better. If you choose to ignore it you'll stay where you are. Your choice.

MechelleLucilla · Dec 9, 2012

i have gotten some good feedback on things i should work on from certain people and appreciate it. i hope to stick around and be able to get better i am not a pro but someday hope to be. This is what I want to do and even though it was in a bad way I found this forum im glad i did