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She gave me the stink eye. I emerged from my vehicle, the one with the ‘Carrie Swails Photography’ car signs, in my husband’s gym shorts and a tshirt with a camera on it. The lady pushing her cart through the grocery store parking lot let me read her mind. She would never hire me.
Was it my husband’s gym shorts? Being 6’4 his gym shorts drown my 5’3 frame. Was it the awesome custom tshirt with the camera and the butterfly on it? In combination with the signs on my car it screamed ‘photographer.’
We walked past each other. She’s pushing her cart noisily through the parking lot and I’m walking quickly in my Chaco sandals (hello Colorado!) carrying my wallet inside. All I need to grab is some chicken for dinner and then I can run back to my car and head home.
Working from home a lot is my enabler. My purple couch with my 3 dogs lounging on it calls to me, ‘just be comfortable’ and so I throw my hair into a messy bun and put on some sort of workout clothes that most likely belong to my husband. When I need to be up and run an errand, what’s the point of changing? Am I really going to put on makeup and business attire to go to the grocery store?
The TV parked in front of the purple couch with the 3 lazy dogs on it mocks me while I edit my photos. What Not to Wear is On and I sneak peeks and listen in while I’m working. They are right she should sooooo not be wearing that. The fly on the wall notes that I’m the biggest hypocrite ever.
As DJ Dave points out, it really is getting real in the Whole Foods Parking lot. I’m throwing away good opportunities for business. Just imagine the difference between an adult with the face of a 14 year old getting out of a business vehicle dressed to impress vs. the description above who looks like I may just be heading back from cheerleading practice and have a learner’s permit.
I took a step today to keep it real next time I’m in the Whole Foods Parking lot (with the little shopping carts they got), I emptied my closet. I tossed out all the jeans from high school I’m never going to fit in again, threw away all the shirts held together with safety pins or with holes I try to hide while I work.
What’s left is 2 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of capris, a few summer dresses, 2 summer shirts, and 5 winter shirts. Don’t get me started on shoes. I’m the daughter of a forest service employee and I live in Colorado. All my nice shoes are from REI.
Stacy and Clinton would be proud. I’m going shopping today for an entire new wardrobe. In order to have those silly car signs and pass out business cards proudly I need to look like a real business owner.
Wish me luck.
As always, feel free to ask me a question. Photography classes starting in July are filling up fast! Make sure you’re signed up for the ones you want to join in on. These classes are live online, but can also be purchased and watched later if you can’t be there at the live time. Each class has very limited seats and they’re filling up!
Joanna Biggs - You know as I have contaminated getting one of those car signs I always go back to that though process. Will they look at me in my comfy clothes and write me off. I have a two year old and she is always in tow and being cute is not on the top of my to do list. lol Thanks for the story I wish you luck!
palmettoprissphotography - Thank you SO much! BTW.. do you have a hidden camera in my house??! I really need to get up and get myself together!! LOL! Is it bad to have our business name on our vehicle? I just recently purchased a new car for the gas mlg (2012 Prius @ 54 mpg) and I haven’t put my business name back on it because well… lets face it.. sometimes I as a photog go places that I have no business going to do sessions and it would make it very easy to identify me! LOL! PLUS.. I have never had one person say to me.. “hey, I saw your snazzy sign on your car and thought I would call!” What are your thoughts Carrie? Thanks so much for these… “WHAT ARE YOU THINKING” posts that make me sit back and look down at my hubby’s boxers and shake my head and know that you are talking about me.. yes.. I’m THAT girl!
Love you Carrie! Thanks!
Carrie - I’ve never had anyone call because of my car sign. I mostly have it so it can create the opportunity for conversation. When I pull up to a wedding venue and need to unload my camera gear I have the sign on my car that says it’s okay for me to park in the loading zone. And when I do get out of my car sometimes I might get a question if someone sees me and they say, “oh hey do you do _____ photography?” Then I have the opportunity to introduce myself, start a conversation and give them a business card. That’s more what it’s for with me.