At the beginning of this year I decided it was time to update my very own portraits for myself and my brand.
I was just like any of my clients, nervous before the shoot, running around to get new dresses, and make sure everything was ready for my big day. It’s not everyday, I actually turn the camera on myself so, this was a BIG DEAL!
Then I realized, that I should really invest in this so I look and feel like a million bucks! I was going to go the full mile.
So, I booked a salon appointment with a high end Miami Beach Salon.
There is actually one thing I am pretty self conscious about and get very nervous with, it’s my thin hair. So all too often, I don’t fuss over it or spend a lot of time or money on it.
I get very nervous letting a stylist run their fingers through it. Especially in a town that has so many gorgeous women with gorgeous hair. I didn’t want to be judged or shamed for my painfully thin hair.
So with hesitation, I booked an appointment and told myself “it will be worth it and relaxing, I’ll treat myself".
Well it was ANYTHING BUT RELAXING! My stylist took me to his chair and immediately began what he thought I needed. I was terribly nervous and only spoke up a little, “I’m not sure if I like highlights”.
He told me, “you really need them to cover the damage”. So I went with it.
I asked for a glass of wine to calm my nerves, he almost laughed and said “oh no, we don’t have wine”, so he brought me water in a plastic cup. (YUCK)
Then, he proceeds to totally process my hair, wash it in painfully cold water, and chop the crap out of it.
I HATED IT! It was nothing that I wanted and looked dull.
I left and went to my car and cried after forking up $300 for that experience. (I did go back the next day to have it re-adjusted but I still wasn’t happy.)
It wasn’t so much about the cut or color. They were fine, I guess. My friends and family reassured me that it looked “nice”.
It was the fact that entire experience left me feeling horrible! I felt unloved, unheard, and terrible for spending that kind of money without LOVING it!
I took this experience to completely relate to what my clients are probably feeling before they step in front of my camera.
They are terrified, they are vulnerable, they are a little self conscious. They need to be listened to, they need to comforted, and they need to be pampered!
I told this story to my entire team! I told them that “no woman should ever feel this way in our studio”!
This is a safe place, a place to be creative, and to feel loved. Together we need to create portraits they LOVE for a lifetime.
But most of all they need to leave the studio with a smile on their face!
Every moment in life is an opportunity to learn and grow. I will take this experience to learn from it and turn it into something positive for others.
