Comments on: [Story] The True Value Of A Photograph

By: John Godwin

John Godwin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:31:00 +0000

I can’t help but feel there’s a lack of class in posting this. Not least because it imposes the notion that people who cancel shoots are doing so in a frivolous manner. What if someone cancels on me because they found out that day that they have cancer?

Also, do we know if this woman offered the lady a free shoot? Because that’s what needs to have happened if this letter is to be taken for what it is.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:36:00 +0000

The person who wrote the letter did say she wanted the message to be passed on, so I don’t really see it as being tasteless or whatever. But the message is true – people don’t always realise how important photos can be until it’s too late, or they are lost – you can can ask nearly any mother what they would grab (apart from the kids, of course) if their house is on fire and they are likely to say the photos.

And sure, the photographer could have given a free shoot – but would the woman want her family to have photos of her without nails and hair and generally on her last legs? I wouldn’t.

I look at some of the replies and think that some people are really quite jaded.

By: Brian McCarthy

Brian McCarthy — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:46:00 +0000

Jeanine, if you’re reading this, thank your sharing this. It was an act of bravery on her part and on yours.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:11:00 +0000

Hi Fernando,

There’s definitely a follow up, it’s in the link at the bottom of the post where she replied to the responses she’s been getting because of the letter. I hope this helps!

By: Scott Davis

Scott Davis — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:14:00 +0000

Very moving.

By: Fernando Garcia

Fernando Garcia — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:17:00 +0000

Wao!…Pratik. What a touching story. I can see why you have posted this. As creative people we often forget how truly we can change people’s life with our work. We sometimes worry too much in how much we can make out of gig. Thanks for sharing. Is there a follow up on this?. How can I help?

By: maryanne gobble

maryanne gobble — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:14:00 +0000

I wrote a blog response to why I think this lacks class to post. http://maryannegobble.blogspot.com/2012/01/letter-to-my-doorstep-what-is-wrong.html

By: Hans Spiegelaar

Hans Spiegelaar — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:51:00 +0000

hmmm. don’t quite understand *why* this was posted. if the original poster was really that moved, she should have offered a free shoot. if she didn’t do that, this post is a useless sentimental ploy.

also, let’s not pat ourselves on the back too quickly. (many people wrote something along th lines of “so glad I’m a photographer, that I can give this to people”).

first of all, the photographer didn’t “give” her client the last shoot, only a bad feeling about spending the money otherwise.

second: non-posed, informal images can easliy carry the same, or oftentimes more emotional value as any professional shoot

By: Hans Spiegelaar

Hans Spiegelaar — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:51:00 +0000

also, let’s not pat ourselves on the back too quickly. (many people wrote something along th lines of “so glad I’m a photographer, that I can give this to people”).

first of all, the photographer didn’t “give” her client the last shoot, only a bad feeling about spending the money otherwise.

second: non-posed, informal images can easliy carry the same, or oftentimes more emotional value as any professional shoot

By: The Dark Room Co.

The Dark Room Co. — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:24:00 +0000

touching

this inspired me to blog about it: http://www.thedarkroomblog.com/2012/01/05/yolo-photographic/