Paris Family, Couples, Kids Photographer II Katie Donnelly

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Am I Being Professional? II Crisp Sunrise Maternity Session at the Trocadero + Eiffel Tower

 

SHOP STYLE: HER DRESS II HER LEATHER JACKET (SIMILAR) II HIS JACKET II HER SHOES II HIS SNEAKERS II HIS JEANS

 

It's hard for me to connect with classic business people especially here in France where boundaries and hierarchy in the business world seems so ingrained in the society. When I come into a company to take portraits they don't know what to make of me.

Sure, I dress professionally, well, actually I dress however I want though I think I dress pretty nicely.

Sure, I speak well.

Sure, I'm educated.

Sure, I know how to handle money.

Sure, I pay my taxes.

Sure, I know what marketing is.

Sure, I run my own business that's nearly doubled by 100% yearly.

But I still don't fit into that classic mold. I don't ask the classic "So what do you do for a living" questions.

To be honest, I don't really care what you do unless you live your passion.

I want to know what keeps you up at night with happiness. I want to know about your first date, your first kiss, how you felt the first time you saw your daughter. 

I treat my business as if I was the customer, I don't want people coming into my sessions unprepared, I wanted them pumped up! I want to be able to talk to my clients about any number of things (even if we most notably talk about food, family and travel!). My business revolves around emotion because that's what I want in my photos.

I want the real.

I like to think of myself as professional in my own way, but it's definitely not the classic pants suit type.

One of the reasons I'm talking about this and using this session is because I remember how much I connected with these two (now three!). There was nothing but laughs, funny stories, favorite sports teams and wedding reminiscing. It was pure joy and you see it! There is so much love in this world and I get to catch snip-its of it on a daily basis. I wish that THAT was considered professional:

Talking about your passions

Connecting deeper

Laughing easily

Telling funny stories

Dressing however the hell you want (as long as you don't smell)

Running your business with your heart

Treating your clients how you'd want to be treated..

I know that there are SO many brothers and sisters out there that feel me and are riding the soul-centered start-up train.. This one is for you. This is me saying ladies and gents, I see you, I feel you, I respect you, I appreciate you. And I'm pretty sure that our clients do too.