Please stop asking 'what do you do'

Honestly, I hate this question. I often take a deep breath before responding, mainly to stop myself from saying that I hate this question. My current response is 'a lot', or 'depends on what day it is'. I run two business as sole owner operator so that's double the hats. But my businesses are not all I am... although it feels that way sometimes!

Julie squares her hands in front of her face so that you can only see her left eye through the gap between her hands - like framing a picture but in reverse. Blurry trees in the background.

Because I'm super nerdy about certain things (yarn, scrabble) I like to ask 'what are you geeky about'. People tend to look at me strangely and I'll usually clarify by asking what they're passionate about, which can be their business or what they do for fun. But if they get it straight away, then I know I'm talking to someone who speaks my language, or at least is open to having a meaningful conversation as opposed to 'I'm here to do business'. 

Thing is, we are all already 'doing business'. I'm more interested in building connections, getting new book recommendations and sharing lessons. I'm 37 - turns out I know stuff, stuff the 32 year old version of me wouldn't have anticipated because she was still an employee for Someone Else. 

Close up of Julie's face. Out-take shot of Julie grinning. Blurry trees in the background.

Sure, I'd love to be the person who helps you with your photography needs, but I'm just as happy if I can help you do your own images for a while, or recommend a resource that helped me, or simply listen because sometimes we can figure things out just by talking out loud. 

I am more than what I do. 

And so are you.