I meant to write about this last year so that I didn’t have to go into the new year fussing but this keeps occurring. I thought I would share some light on this situation today. I cover many events in Atlanta and abroad and I’m so grateful and blessed to be invited out to so many things. I have noticed over time that people have no idea that some of their behavior is annoying or maybe they just don’t think it’s a problem. So I wanted to share with you some things that annoy me (and other media buddies of mine) about taking photos at events. Some of you guys need a quick lesson in photography etiquette and a nice reality check when you see someone out with a professional camera at an event. When my media buddies and I are out, we just laugh when we get asked to do some outlandish things. It’s becoming a growing problem and I need to address it head on! I find it comical and the audacity of some is hilarious. I am not mad at all more irritated is the word but read this and learn please. xoxo

• If you ask me to come out to cover your event, please DO NOT treat me like I’m your hired photographer! I hate that! Stop being cheap and hire the real deal!
• I posts pictures/stories when I feel like it, it could be up the next day, two weeks later or NOT at all! I work at my own pace. So please stop emailing me or tweeting me saying “thanks for coming to our event”, as if you’re subliminally reminding me, oh yeah don’t forget about us! I am NOT dumb or stupid! You are not slick!
• If I ask you to take a picture for me for the publication I write for, or for my personal blog and you agree, guess what? No, I will NOT take your photo down!
• If I take a photo of you, it bothers me when you want to see it and want to take it over. We are NOT at a photoshoot! It’s a “candid” photo unless your eyes are closed or your fly is open or something like that, then maybe I will!
• Stop emailing me asking me to add the name of your business with your picture. Especially if it was NOT your event lol. Thats advertisement, pay me!
• I can NOT make you look smaller or better looking in your photo! I am NOT a magician or photoshop expert!
• No I will NOT email you your photo(especially if you DID NOT pay me). You better grab it from my site and be happy! I’m extremely busy, I do not have time for that, so please stop asking me.
• If you have a criminal past, or did something shady to someone, please step away from my camera in advance! Also,I hate when people are in my group shot and one person doesn’t want their photo on the internet. Why are you standing there posed up in the photo then??? Move!
• I do not have a gossip site with rude commenters! So don’t pre-judge me when I’m out and I tell you I have a blog and would like to take your photo.I would NEVER talk about you, or what you have on. I have better things to do…well depending if it’s a red carpet affair lol.
• Stop emailing me asking where is your photo and why didn’t I put you up on my blog. Guess what? You didn’t make the cut! Point blank! It might have been too dark or I didn’t like it.
• Stop following me around trying to get my attention to snap you! I see you but I might be looking for certain type of person for my story! Really?
• When I am out at events, please stop coming up to me, asking me to take your photo and handing me your biz card with your email and where to send…wtf! Who the hell are you? It’s not going to happen! I am not there to take photos of  YOU! I’m there to write about/take photos of the event! It’s not about you, bye!
• If you have lied and said you were somewhere else, cheating on your mate or called in sick at your job but was at an event, I have NOTHING to do with that! No, I will NOT remove your photo! Stop lying then!
• To avoid all the above, think before you get in people’s cameras! Better yet, invest in your “own” that way you can take as many pictures as you like, delete them,photoshop them and you won’t have to annoy us when we are out!

Thanks and Blessings!