I was in a frenzy last week as I relied on my GPS to navigate me to the first Atlanta Smug Meeting. This was especially exciting because I had been waiting for a Smug to launch in Atlanta and a respected photographer and new friend, Liana was speaking. I was running late, as usual, and it was 6:30 which meant traffic. In Atlanta, rush hour lasts from 3:00 in the afternoon until 7:00pm. Really…there is traffic all.the.time, whether it be at 11 at night or 9am on a Saturday morning. ALWAYS. I hate traffic. Arghhh. But that’s a different post.
Following the GPS route, I pulled up to the toll booth on 400, and grabbed my wallet to get my $.50 toll. The panic began to creep in. I didn’t have any money. I didn’t even have a penny in my wallet. Surely I had change in my car so I popped open my 2 default change storing compartments and…nothing. NOTHING! Rather than FREAK OUT, I remained calm and pulled up to the line that was titled CASHIER. As I pulled up to the nice, beautiful, pretty, amazing (and any other positive thought I could think of) woman, I handed her my credit card. Like I did that all the time, no big deal, just run the $.50 fee on my credit card please, thank you! She looked at me. With that look. The you idiot look. My easy breezy I do this all the time facade melted…and I crumbled. “I don’t have ANY money I explained. Can you please please please just charge it to my card? What happens if I can’t pay? Can I get an I.O.U? Riiggghhttt an I.O.U, I’m sure they give those all the time. She interjected mid sentence and I caught my breath. Then she told me that if I didn’t have any cash, they would charge my credit card. $25.50 for the toll fee. That’s twenty.five.dollars.and.fifty.cents. What!?!?! Oh sweet.baby.Jesus. I did NOT want to pay an extra $25. I don’t even like 400…that’s right I don’t like the road. I try to avoid it whenever I can and the one time I decide to take it this happens. Pfft… I am never driving this road again. I’ll show it!
I felt like an idiot. I looked in my rear view mirror and yes yes, I was in fact the person holding up the line. My face must of been bright red. The woman at the booth began talking to someone behind me and lifted up her hand in a wave to confirm she heard correctly. This sweet, beautiful, amazing, pretty woman looked at me and said, “The car behind you is going to pay your toll.” Rather than say thank you and move forward, I decided to open my mouth,”So you’re going to let me go through?” That’s right I essentially asked her if someone else paying my toll equated to her letting me go through the booth. I am way good at sticking my foot in my mouth. She looked at me, gave me a oh sweet child smile and pressed the magic button that lifts up the gate. I hoisted my body up out of my window as much as I could to tell the car behind me thank you. Geez the line was REALLY long now. I couldn’t see in the reflection of their windshield, but raised my hand in complete appreciation, hopped back into my seat and drove through the gate, exhaling a huge sigh of relief. Completely and utterly grateful for such a small gesture. I began to think as I continued my route to the Smug meeting- If I was that car behind me, what would my reaction have been? Would I have been so generous with something so small?
Being completely and embarassingly honest, I would not have. I would have grumbled and complained that there was an idiot in front of me and they should know they have to pay a toll and if they can’t its their fault they are getting charged so much and they should really get out of MY way because I have places to be. Really? REALLY. This reality hurt. A lot. And it was a defining moment. A moment where I could go on with life as normal OR I could learn from what was just revealed to me about myself and make a change. So I am making a change.
In an effort to pay it forward, my first step is to offer it on this blog. I am going to give a free photo session away. This session includes 1 hour of shooting time and the DVD of edited images. You don’t have to follow me on Twitter, like my Facebook page or write me a really sweet note telling me how much you like my work (although all of those things would be nice
). Just simply leave a comment below and tell me what kind of session you would like. Any kind of session you want- family, senior, anniversary, maternity, newborn, band, portfolio, etc. Spread the word! If you don’t need a session, use this opportunity to enter someone you know who would like one. The winner will be picked at random on September 7.
Awesome post Kelly. I love it!
I’m all about Paying it Forward and it can be done in so many different ways — so glad to see you doing this! AND so glad that someone was so kind to pay it and that day and you were able to make it to the SMUG meeting!!
um.. you can def. take some pictures of my family!
You are a gifted writer as well as photographer, Kelly:) Soooo, have you taken 400 again? LaMar hates toll roads too. It’s the principle. Your pay it forward sounds great! But I’m thinkin’ you won’t be traveling to MI for the free photo shoot. Anxious to hear about it after Sept. 7th. Blessings to you…and may you always have change in your purse to pay for the person behind you. haha
Hey girl!
I would love a photo session with you!!!! I am in desperate need of some family shots and a few of my hubby and I. I have been behind the camera so long, I don’t know the last decent family pic we have!!! (by the way….I don’t like 400 either!!!!)
What an awesome story!! I am so lucky to call you a friend!!!! Can’t wait to see who the winner is
Good luck to all of the contstants!!!
Thanks for sharing that story! I think I would have much of the same sentiment. I’d love to have a photo shoot with you! Do you do engagement photos?
That same thing happened to unchong and I in Orlando. We went through 3 tolls and they never made us pay. Middle of no where how can you get cash. Gosh. You can take pics of our family or our new baby that is on the way:) how about a trash the dress with unchong and I. And I mean trash it.
Awesome Story Kelly!! Love your post, Love your pictures. I have a senior, which you already know, would love to book a session with you for senior pictures.
I would love for your to do a photo shoot of my family.
Don
I so would have been that person too, getting mad at the person holding up the line and calling them an idiot! That definitely makes you think about the next time something like that happens. But, I would love for you to do a shoot of my family, you take beautiful pictures! I wish I would have known about your photography when I got married.
What an awesome post and an awesome thing that you are doing for someone. If I were to get this from you I would pay it forward somehow. As you know I just bought my first house and would love a new family pic of me and my boys. You take fantastic photos. Miss working with you.
kelly,
Your sweetness just shines! Whether you pay toll for someone else, if you ever use 400 again, or share your wonderful gift in pictures, it means the same.
I would like to “pay it forward” to my friend who’s daughter is turning one! It was a long process and she is beautiful and wonderful and surely a blessing to her parents and family. It would be wonderful if you could shoot her 1st birthday party! and ya know, those are fun and exciting!
Thanks
Great blog and I would love a session
Great story! And so sad I’d probably react the same way… Atlanta traffic has a way of turning you super grumpy super fast… You get in the mentality of everyones in YOUR way… This definitely gives you some perspective!
I’d love a session with you… I’d love 3 month pictures of my Emma and pics of our new little family… Since Ry lost his job all my plans to get all those pics of Em done professionally got put on the backburner…
Pick me, pick me! I have two adorable children who make the cutest pictures!
I loved the blog. Its amazing how Atlanta traffic can quickly change the mood of a person or people so quickly. I loved the way you handled it and how you’re giving back with the experiences that you took away from it. My fiance and I just recently got engaged and we would love to do an engagement session with you. If we are chosen, this would be a huge blessing for us as it is becoming increasingly difficult to have a nice wedding in these economic times as we continue to research on the different costs of having a wedding. You are an amazing photographer.
We will be needing a Photo shoot from you this Fall free or not. I would love, Love Love to win the contest and have some Family and Kids Pictures done again . Free is an even better deal than Last time but I do realize we did get a good deal from you before and am thankful for that! So congrats to whoever wins I can still however hope it will be us!!
Hey Kelly! Just found your page. Love the Photos! I would love for you to do some 3 month photos for my daughter. Between hospital bills and being in between jobs, We just haven’t been able to any photos yet. I’m a big believer in the pay it forward philosophy. I hope whoever gets picked keeps the chain going.
Hey Kelly, I <3 your blog. You are an awesome talent. I want to put a name in the hat for a friend of mine who is a traveling preacher, Kim Taylor. She has been a huge blessing to me for the past few years and I am honored to call her a friend and mentor in my life. She is an amazing singer and preacher but has been using promotion pics of her from 10 years ago. I know she can't justify the costs of having a session of her done and I would love to bless her and her ministry. Love ya girlie. U come up to gainesville, lets do coffee.
Amanda Farish
Your story had me cracking up!! And whats funnier is i can HEAR you telling it!! haha I along, with all your adoring fans would love a photo session. Our 2 year anniversary is coming up in Nov and you know “old hollywood glam” is my style!
Its really a sweet thing your doing, for whoever wins! Way to have that AH HA moment!!
I would love a family session. I am a photographer as well and never get to be the subject of my work. I would love to have a images of my family right now, in this stage, before we start trying for our second child.
Great story… I would have been the mean guy behind you honking. Well, maybe not honking, but I would have been giving you evil looks, and then feeling bad about it later.
We’d love, Love, LOVE a family session.
~W
Hi Kelly, I loved the pictures you took of my niece Samantha and her tea party. I am an animal lover and a dog sitter. It would be great to have some current pictures of me and my pups!
COOL KELLY!! I love this story!!!!!
You could come to California and take some beautiful landscape photos….:) JK, but I would love to have you come sometime, seriously!!
My family would love to do a session with you (my little nephew especially
! You have such a gift Kelly!
Hey kelly i loved that story! Me and the kids would love to do a session with you you do an amazing job!
Kelly- Great post! I have enjoyed seeing how you capture special events from family photos to birthday parties and weddings. You truly have a great gift. I would love the opportunity to have you photograph our family! We would love a session!
PS- I know you will be blessed PAYING IT FORWARD!
Does it increase our chances of winning if we comment twice?? LOL. You’re far too fair for that I’m sure, but we’re willing to try just for the chance to work with such an amazing photographer!