I love waking up in morning, sipping my coffee, watching the news and browsing through my facebook feed.   But for some reason in the past few weeks I’ve observed several big name photographers be the victim of senseless comments and negative critiques on their professional business pages.   I wondered why at the time anyone would ever feel it was their right to publicly shame someone.  Whether a big name or a small name…is it the artist?   Are they creating a place that invites that kind of trouble?  But why is it seen as their fault?

What happened to that good old mamma’s saying, “if you can’t say something nice…don’t say anything at all?”  Does the internet really make you feel safe in just letting out what ever you are feeling…without regard to the person…because even though you are not face to face with them…they feel, they hurt, get angry, react…get sad.  Words…watch how you use them.

Every time I post something on my facebook page, instagram, blog…I am showing you a little piece of how I view the world.  I am an artist.  You may not visually see the world in the same way…and that is okay.  But I just want you to know, it takes courage to put your art out there to the world.  To share pieces of what lights you up…

I wonder, if the larger your following, the assumption is, oh they know how awesome they are…no need to tell them.  I don’t want them to get a huge ego…maybe I’ll just say, “hey, I’ve seen better images…take that…haha..lets watch that person crumble.”  I don’t know what goes on the process of being a cyber bully, a negative person…as I am not.  I see someone getting picked on and it makes me want to come out swinging…every time.

As a community of people…maybe, when we see this happening…say something.  Speak up…be the voice that stops being okay with people feeling the need to bring others down…as they feel they are safe in their jammies behind a computer…randomly leaving hate along the way.  If you have an issue with someones image…talk to them privately.  Email them…or hey, here’s a thought, just unfan them…no need to leave a parting exit with hate on their facebook wall for all to see.  Its just not classy…ever.

I want to clarify…as I’m sure, many of my peeps who follow me will feel they need to defend me…this did not happen to me.  So far, I have been extremely blessed by the encouragement, love and support by my fans.  My hope is that you will see that everyone has a voice.  How you choose to inflict that…it effects people.

 And because I was out shooting last night….I saw this cool trail…the journey.  Because we are all on a journey… maybe give someone a high five along the way.  They just might need it.  Happy Tuesday peeps!