Hey friends, it’s Sandra, and today I want to talk about something that’s been showing up a lot in my world lately — and maybe in yours too. It’s something that I think deserves an honest conversation.
So buckle up, because we’re diving into a topic that’s part rant, part reflection, and totally from the heart.
So here’s the thing: I don’t run ads for my photography studio, but I do for the education side of my business. And for whatever reason, my ads really trigger some people.
Now, most people are lovely — they engage, they comment, they’re curious or supportive. But we also get a surprising number of really mean-spirited comments… and I hate to say it, but they almost always come from men.
These comments tend to be belittling or dismissive. Things like, “Oh, she must not be able to book clients, that’s why she’s teaching.” Or “She’s using her modifier wrong.” Or “She’s just trying to take advantage of people.”
And then, my personal favorite — the “veteran” photographers who insist it’s impossible to make a full-time living as a photographer, so if I’m teaching others how to do it, I must be a fraud.
So… let’s talk about that.
Now, we all know trolls exist on the internet.
People say things online they would never have the courage to say in person. But here’s the interesting part — my ads team works with all kinds of clients across all kinds of industries, and even they have said the hate that comes from male photographers online is extreme.
It’s not just the volume — it’s the tone. And honestly, I think that says something really sad about our industry.
Photography has been male-dominated for a long time. It’s better now than when I started 26 years ago, but still — there’s this undercurrent of gatekeeping, this idea that if you’re a woman, or a mom, or self-taught, you somehow don’t belong. We’re called “moms with a camera”- as if being a mom who photographs her children is a bad thing…
And I just find it all so frustrating, because the truth is, we all started somewhere. We all learned from someone. There’s no shame in that.
Here’s the thing — those comments don’t actually bother me personally.
I know who I am and what I’ve built.
I’m a certified teacher. I’ve been a full-time photographer for over 26 years. I’m a lighting expert, a best-selling author, and an industry educator who speaks on stages all over the world. I know my stuff. And I’m very secure in what I do and what I have to offer.
But what does bother me is knowing that somewhere out there is a woman who’s just starting out — maybe she’s nervous about using flash, or she’s dreaming about turning her photography into a business — and she sees comments like those. And she starts to question herself.
She starts to wonder if maybe she’s not cut out for this. If maybe those guys are right. And that breaks my heart.
So if you are that person — if you’ve ever doubted yourself because of something someone said online — I want you to hear this loud and clear:
You belong here.
Your art matters.
Your dreams are valid.
There is no shame in learning.
There is no shame in asking for help.
And there is absolutely no shame in sharing what you’ve learned with others once you’re ready.
That’s how growth works. That’s how community is built.
I’m not going to let some dude on the internet shame me into playing small. And neither should you.
Because the truth is, it is possible to make a living as a photographer. I’ve done it for decades. My students do it. And so can you.
So don’t let anyone make you feel small for wanting to create, to build, or to teach. You are allowed to take up as much space as you want.
And if you’d like a little help along the way — I’d love to be the one you turn to.
End rant.
See you next week.
