In my line of work I am an artist, planner, manager, problem solver, teacher and supporter. Sometimes I don’t think people realize how hard I work for my clients. I hesitate to use the phrase, “above and beyond,” because it’s nothing out of the ordinary for me. By no means do I mean to brag about how good I am at my job. I mean, my job consists of wearing a lot of hats, and it can be quite overwhelming.
Weddings can be stressful and I try my best to be there for my clients. I tell them, I am an endless fountain of information. I’ve been to more weddings than the average person attends in their lifetime. I can coordinate, give advice, help with ideas, locate items, etc. Its not part of my job description, but it makes my job easier to be on top of things, so I help out where I can to make sure everything is running smoothly.
Sometimes it means talking someone down from an emotional roller coaster. It means being there in the thick of things when shit hits the fan, so I can help clean up.
This past week I was meeting with a client and she had to be taken to the ER due to pancreatitis. We were sitting there when she began to pass out, dropped to the floor, then threw up multiple times in my presence. I went into instinct mode immediately and alerted the staff of the restaurant, grabbed water and paper towels for her and started to apply preassure to the back of her neck. Her fiancé kept her upright while we waited for the ambulance to arrive. She kept apologizing, but to me, this was my natural reaction to aid her in any way that I can. It might not be part of my job, but if I can be of any help, I will. In a way, I did feel like it was part of my job. I’m providing a service to her, she is my client. At one point she and her fiancé told me they were ok and I could leave. I got in my car but could not bring myself to start the car and drive away. I came back in and told them I was staying until the ambulance arrived. There was no way I was going to leave them without knowing they were on their way to the hospital. The emts eventually arrived and took them to the hospital.
I feel bad for her that she was embarrassed. I know she didn’t want me to see her like that. But when I am with my clients, I want them to feel completely comfortable with me. If they are at their worst, I want them to know that I am there for them.
For me, it’s not just about getting paid. My nature and my business go hand in hand.
I texted her the next morning to make sure she was doing ok. I’m photographing her wedding in a few months. I hope very much that she is not still embarrassed when I see her again. Maybe it will help in the long run to know that she can rely on me and trust me because I will drop everything to come to her aid. This is how I value my clients, but also how I value my fellow human beings. Being a decent human can go a long way.
Doing stuff, the way i know how 