Hey Friend,
As creatives – especially photographers, designers, and artists building a business around our art – we walk a fine line of serving.
In the traditional business world, folks love to say, “It’s not about how you feel. Business is business.” And sure – 2 + 2 will always equal 4, no matter how you feel. But in creative work? 2 + feeling undervalued doesn’t always equal great, or accurate results.
Our creativity is deeply connected to how aligned we feel. And when we start saying yes out of guilt, pressure, or fear of disappointing someone, it chips away at our joy, and our longevity.
According to Dane Sanders in Fast Track Photographer, 60% of photographers quit in year one, and only 15% make it past year three. That’s not just a business issue... it’s a boundaries issue.
So here’s the real question:
What’s the difference between serving well and becoming a servant to the job – and why does that difference matter so much for creative entrepreneurs like us?
Slippery Slope
Exposure ≠ Currency
Boundaries Are Service
How Can I Protect My Energy?
A Slippery Slope
Does this sound familiar?
A client agrees to your rate… but then they start asking for more. A few extra of this. A tighter turnaround around that. Maybe some additional time?
You bring up adjusting the price to match the added work, and suddenly... there’s hesitation. A pause. Maybe they push back gently… or not so gently.
You feel that quiet nudge in your gut saying, “Don't do it, this isn't right.”
But still, you say yes. Why? Because you want to serve them well? Because you don’t want to seem difficult? Because you're hoping they’ll refer you later?
When we begin to go against that gut instinct... that's usually when we cross over into servant territory.
It might feel like a small compromise, but it adds up. We think we’re doing someone a favor, but let’s be real – it often backfires. We bend over backwards, sacrifice our energy, go outside our boundaries… and they still end up unsatisfied. Because what we agreed to wasn’t coming from a place of mutual clarity and peace. What come of that is a feeling that haunts so many of us... resentment.
That resentment we try to suppress – no matter how big or small – finds a way to show up: in how we communicate, how we prep, how we create, how we deliver. And when things go sideways, that little voice creeps in – “Well, they only paid…”
That’s our signal, our proof, we made a one sided agreement, and it wasn't your side. I'll be the first to say that is a terrible feeling. I know, you know, we all know something about that, doesn't feel right, especially if you want to give your best at all times. But we're human, and the important thing is finding ways to avoid having that thought or feeling.
The biggest factor that drives these dishonoring of our own boundaries is the desire for referrals. Well, when it comes to referrals? If someone lowballed us, odds are they’ll send more of the same people. We end up being the name dropped when someone says, “I need this done… but I don’t want to pay a lot.” We don’t want that reputation. You're not the budget option – you're the right fit for the right client.
But when an agreement honors us—when someone values our process, respects the boundaries, and doesn’t try to discount our works worth... something shifts. We now want to go, or don't mind going the extra mile. I’ve stayed hours later, added unexpected deliverables, and poured more heart into the work. Not because I had to, but because I felt just as valued by the client, as I valued them, and we were both in mutual agreement, of our agreement.
A client agrees to your rate… but then they start asking for more. A few extra of this. A tighter turnaround around that. Maybe some additional time?
You bring up adjusting the price to match the added work, and suddenly... there’s hesitation. A pause. Maybe they push back gently… or not so gently.
You feel that quiet nudge in your gut saying, “Don't do it, this isn't right.”
But still, you say yes. Why? Because you want to serve them well? Because you don’t want to seem difficult? Because you're hoping they’ll refer you later?
When we begin to go against that gut instinct... that's usually when we cross over into servant territory.
It might feel like a small compromise, but it adds up. We think we’re doing someone a favor, but let’s be real – it often backfires. We bend over backwards, sacrifice our energy, go outside our boundaries… and they still end up unsatisfied. Because what we agreed to wasn’t coming from a place of mutual clarity and peace. What come of that is a feeling that haunts so many of us... resentment.
That resentment we try to suppress – no matter how big or small – finds a way to show up: in how we communicate, how we prep, how we create, how we deliver. And when things go sideways, that little voice creeps in – “Well, they only paid…”
That’s our signal, our proof, we made a one sided agreement, and it wasn't your side. I'll be the first to say that is a terrible feeling. I know, you know, we all know something about that, doesn't feel right, especially if you want to give your best at all times. But we're human, and the important thing is finding ways to avoid having that thought or feeling.
The biggest factor that drives these dishonoring of our own boundaries is the desire for referrals. Well, when it comes to referrals? If someone lowballed us, odds are they’ll send more of the same people. We end up being the name dropped when someone says, “I need this done… but I don’t want to pay a lot.” We don’t want that reputation. You're not the budget option – you're the right fit for the right client.
But when an agreement honors us—when someone values our process, respects the boundaries, and doesn’t try to discount our works worth... something shifts. We now want to go, or don't mind going the extra mile. I’ve stayed hours later, added unexpected deliverables, and poured more heart into the work. Not because I had to, but because I felt just as valued by the client, as I valued them, and we were both in mutual agreement, of our agreement.
Exposure ≠ Currency
We’ve all been offered “exposure” as payment. And sometimes, it really can open doors, I will not deny that. However, exposure, or ambiguous exposure, should never be the only thing you get out of it.
If the offer sounds like one of those sketchy Hollywood types saying, “We’re gonna make you famous!” – RUN. 🏃🏾♂️ Because that kind of energy almost never leads anywhere healthy.
Before we say yes to an exposure-based project, we’ve got to get honest about what we want from the opportunity:
Because exposure doesn’t guarantee anything. Not more clients. Not referrals. Not appreciation.And most def not more feta. It’s not a substitute for value. And when we consistently say yes to unclear “opportunities,” we chip away at our confidence and normalize the idea that creative work should be free, or not valued properly.
Let’s be strategic about exposure—not desperate for it.
If the offer sounds like one of those sketchy Hollywood types saying, “We’re gonna make you famous!” – RUN. 🏃🏾♂️ Because that kind of energy almost never leads anywhere healthy.
Before we say yes to an exposure-based project, we’ve got to get honest about what we want from the opportunity:
- What are we hoping to gain in return?
- Are we being given creative control?
- How will your work be recognized? (tagging, collaborations, included in a newsletter)
- Is the relationship mutually beneficial?
Because exposure doesn’t guarantee anything. Not more clients. Not referrals. Not appreciation.And most def not more feta. It’s not a substitute for value. And when we consistently say yes to unclear “opportunities,” we chip away at our confidence and normalize the idea that creative work should be free, or not valued properly.
Let’s be strategic about exposure—not desperate for it.
Boundaries Are a form of service
Boundaries aren’t barriers. They’re what allow us to deliver excellent work *consistently*.
When we get clear on things like timelines, capacity, and expectations—it might disappoint someone. That’s real. But here’s what we’re *actually* promising when we uphold those boundaries:
As a photographer, one of the main things I face is people wanting the final images quickly. There seems to be a misconception since we can take a picture on our phone and airdrop it in seconds, that hiring a photographer is the same. For some photographers, that may be possible for various reasons, but it is okay if you're not there yet, or just not that type of photographer. Tom Brady didn't become Tom Brady because he was trying to be Dan Marino. Picking up what I'm putting down?
In the beginning it was a huge battle internally, and almost caused me to quit multiple times. There was one person I interacted with at my start that told me, other photographers they had worked with got the images to them within 24 hours. Put simply, that sh*t stressed me out. At best, I was finishing a gallery, while appeasing to their timeline, in about 3-5 days.
I was still trying to figure out so much as a photographer, as an editor, and at that time my step-father was battling cancer. That left me having to fill in a lot of holes at home. Looking back at it, I wish I would've spent more time with him than trying to make someone who happy who didn't value me anyway.
However, after speaking to more seasoned photographers, I eventually got to the point of, "if that person gives you what you want, why are you asking me?"
Most importantly, I began to learn that if someone needs something faster, there is a cost. And that cost isn’t just a rush fee… it’s the cost of saying no to something important in your life (family time, spiritual rest, other projects, still building our business) in order to say yes to their needs. And if they’re not okay with that? That’s fine. They’re just not the right fit at that moment.
The kick in the head, and that part that trips most of us up? We have to be okay with them walking away. Because what’s never worth it is giving up our peace of mind, burning out, or chipping away at the thing we built with love.
When an agreement honors us—when someone values our process, respects the boundaries, and doesn’t try to discount our works worth... something shifts. We now want to go, or don't mind going the extra mile. I’ve stayed hours later, added unexpected deliverables, and poured more heart into the work. Not because I had to, but because I felt just as valued by the client, as I valued them, and we were both in mutual agreement, of our agreement.
As creative entrepreneurs, how we feel actually matters throughout the process. We often hear from people in other industries that “it doesn’t matter how you feel.” Well, yeah, maybe for them... 2 + 2 is always 4 no matter how you feel. But in creative work? 2 + feeling undervalued doesn’t always equal great art. It might not equal anything at all.
When we get clear on things like timelines, capacity, and expectations—it might disappoint someone. That’s real. But here’s what we’re *actually* promising when we uphold those boundaries:
- A creative process and client experience that flows instead of fights
- A final product that represents our true capabilities
- A version of our work that we’re proud to put our name on
- A healthy mind, spirit, and body to do the work with joy
As a photographer, one of the main things I face is people wanting the final images quickly. There seems to be a misconception since we can take a picture on our phone and airdrop it in seconds, that hiring a photographer is the same. For some photographers, that may be possible for various reasons, but it is okay if you're not there yet, or just not that type of photographer. Tom Brady didn't become Tom Brady because he was trying to be Dan Marino. Picking up what I'm putting down?
In the beginning it was a huge battle internally, and almost caused me to quit multiple times. There was one person I interacted with at my start that told me, other photographers they had worked with got the images to them within 24 hours. Put simply, that sh*t stressed me out. At best, I was finishing a gallery, while appeasing to their timeline, in about 3-5 days.
I was still trying to figure out so much as a photographer, as an editor, and at that time my step-father was battling cancer. That left me having to fill in a lot of holes at home. Looking back at it, I wish I would've spent more time with him than trying to make someone who happy who didn't value me anyway.
However, after speaking to more seasoned photographers, I eventually got to the point of, "if that person gives you what you want, why are you asking me?"
Most importantly, I began to learn that if someone needs something faster, there is a cost. And that cost isn’t just a rush fee… it’s the cost of saying no to something important in your life (family time, spiritual rest, other projects, still building our business) in order to say yes to their needs. And if they’re not okay with that? That’s fine. They’re just not the right fit at that moment.
The kick in the head, and that part that trips most of us up? We have to be okay with them walking away. Because what’s never worth it is giving up our peace of mind, burning out, or chipping away at the thing we built with love.
When an agreement honors us—when someone values our process, respects the boundaries, and doesn’t try to discount our works worth... something shifts. We now want to go, or don't mind going the extra mile. I’ve stayed hours later, added unexpected deliverables, and poured more heart into the work. Not because I had to, but because I felt just as valued by the client, as I valued them, and we were both in mutual agreement, of our agreement.
As creative entrepreneurs, how we feel actually matters throughout the process. We often hear from people in other industries that “it doesn’t matter how you feel.” Well, yeah, maybe for them... 2 + 2 is always 4 no matter how you feel. But in creative work? 2 + feeling undervalued doesn’t always equal great art. It might not equal anything at all.
Who really Pays When Boundaries Break?
Let’s get real for a second.
When we’re constantly overextending ourselves to avoid disappointing others, we risk disappointing the people who matter most. We might think we’re protecting our business or reputation—but often, we’re just protecting the very people who undervalue us.
And the issue?
It’s not just about the money.
It’s about what money represents:
Security. Stability. The ability to show up for our kids, our partner, our parents… or simply, ourselves.
It’s about having the time, the energy, and the mental space to take care of the people we love the way we want to. Because being an entrepreneur isn’t a life handed to us—it’s a life we chose. And as much as it’s hard, we have to remember why we started.
We didn’t choose this to stay in survival mode.
We chose this because we believe there’s something greater waiting for us on the other side—something more sustainable, more fulfilling, more aligned.
But that doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens when we get clear on what matters and guard it with intention.
That’s why I created the Creative Boundaries Reflection Guide—a free tool to help you define your boundaries in three core areas:
Personal Life & Energy, Business Practices & Pricing, and Client Communication & Creative Capacity.
Inside, you’ll find reflection questions and guiding statements to help you protect your peace, your process, and your passion—for real.
Because when we stop bending to fit someone else’s vision, we start building a life that honors our own.
When we’re constantly overextending ourselves to avoid disappointing others, we risk disappointing the people who matter most. We might think we’re protecting our business or reputation—but often, we’re just protecting the very people who undervalue us.
And the issue?
It’s not just about the money.
It’s about what money represents:
Security. Stability. The ability to show up for our kids, our partner, our parents… or simply, ourselves.
It’s about having the time, the energy, and the mental space to take care of the people we love the way we want to. Because being an entrepreneur isn’t a life handed to us—it’s a life we chose. And as much as it’s hard, we have to remember why we started.
We didn’t choose this to stay in survival mode.
We chose this because we believe there’s something greater waiting for us on the other side—something more sustainable, more fulfilling, more aligned.
But that doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens when we get clear on what matters and guard it with intention.
That’s why I created the Creative Boundaries Reflection Guide—a free tool to help you define your boundaries in three core areas:
Personal Life & Energy, Business Practices & Pricing, and Client Communication & Creative Capacity.
Inside, you’ll find reflection questions and guiding statements to help you protect your peace, your process, and your passion—for real.
Because when we stop bending to fit someone else’s vision, we start building a life that honors our own.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, all we want to do is share a great experience with every person who we get the honor to work with. However, we have to know serving and becoming a servant are not the same thing. One fills us up. The other drains us until we’re questioning why we ever started.
Please leave a comment below of how this blog helped you, your own personal experiences, maybe even tips on how you've navigated similar experiences!
Let’s choose to serve from a place that respects our craft, protects our energy, and honors the life we’re building under the moonlight.
Peace,
Please leave a comment below of how this blog helped you, your own personal experiences, maybe even tips on how you've navigated similar experiences!
Let’s choose to serve from a place that respects our craft, protects our energy, and honors the life we’re building under the moonlight.
Peace,
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