Taking Advantage...

I am all about taking advantage of a freebie of any sorts and giving out freebies when I can. I like to be a "pay it forward" kind of girl, and not in hopes that the favor is returned. I just like to. It makes my heart happy.

I like to help families in need, giving Jacob's clothes/shoes/toys/etc. to families expecting their first little boy. Donating my home goods and clothing to "the center" for woman and children every chance I get. I like to give.

The problem with giving, you get taken advantage of.

One small deed for mankind and it's like you have stood on top of a mountain and told the world that you're just giving away your services (not those kind of services, let's keep it PG) or goods to whomever gets in line. I would love to dish things out to everyone that I know really needs them, but I also have to be practical. My family has to eat too. If I dished it out to all those in need, I would become one of the needy.

I like to say that I have a few talents I have excelled in, and take great pride in sharing with others.

One being photography.

I started this journey almost a year ago now with a few engagement pictures. This year has been fruitful and a true blessing. I do not consider myself a "professional" by any means but I would say that I have done well. I have a lot to learn and I am anxious to do so. I did not start this adventure to get rich. I have always had a love for photography and thought, eh? Why not? The part that I hate about it, people/"friends" that you have known for a long time reaching out to you with these heartfelt stories about needing pictures but can't afford them. Even strangers that reach out to you with the same song and dance. Now remember, I said I love to offer up my services/talents when I can for those in need but here is the kicker, I am a complete sucker. I tend to take these heartfelt stories and give away free pictures like it's no big deal.

Then what happens? I get slapped in the face with a lie. A bold face lie. The world wide web is a great way to "find things out" and it doesn't take rocket science to put two and two together. If you are bragging about the latest vacation, electronic, and wardrobe you just purchased, clearly your heartfelt story was a lie and you had the measly $100 it would have cost you for pictures, you just wanted something for free. This is one of those "let's take advantage of Ashley" situations I am referring to.

Times are tough. I know. I have them too, often. For example, we had our family pictures taken this year about the same time some medical bills came in. I still paid the $200 it costed for the photographer to take our pictures and luckily she is a great friend and a super generous person and gave us all the pictures instead of only 10, but I still paid her for the pictures even with the billion dollar medical bill sitting on my counter top. I would pay for them again tomorrow because I appreciate her services and I value the memories that are captured in those photos. I also know that it takes time away from her family, to capture mine. I think this is something that people often forget when they hire photographers to take their pictures. It not only cost us money to purchase the equipment, printing materials, etc. but it costs us time, time away from our families that can't be given back.

I will continue to help those that I think are really in need. I will continue to pay it forward when I can. I will continue to teach my child that it is okay to do something and expect nothing in return. But, I will also teach him that your acts of kindness are not to be taken advantage of by anyone. I will not be so quick to offer up services to heartfelt stories. Call me callus if you want, but I enjoy my time with my family far more than with yours, especially if you aren't really in need.