Some invitations feel good. Others feel like a job you never agreed to.

If you have ever been asked to “bring your camera” to a gathering you hoped to simply enjoy, you know exactly what I mean.

In this solo episode, I am opening up about something many photographers keep quiet about. It is that sinking feeling when you realize you were invited because of what you can provide, not because they truly wanted you there. We talk about why this hits so hard, how easily resentment builds, and the quiet emotional labor photographers carry when our worth gets tied to our productivity.

I am also sharing simple boundary phrases that protect your peace, along with some honest encouragement if you have ever felt taken for granted. You deserve to be valued for who you are, not for the gear you own.

What’s in this episode:

• [00:00] The quiet sting of being invited as the photographer instead of the friend
• [01:00] Why these moments land deeper than people realize
• [02:00] The emotional load photographers carry at family events
• [03:00] Gear lending, prop borrowing, and feeling more “useful” than appreciated
• [03:40] Why it is okay to say no without guilt
• [05:00] Easy boundary scripts you can use right away
• [06:00] How to handle pushback when you hold a limit
• [06:45] A reminder that your presence matters, even when you are not producing

If you have ever felt invisible or taken advantage of as a photographer, this episode will help you step back into your worth.

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit our website: https://themilkyway.ca/podcast/