Pinky Swear Me You’ll Stop

“My husband said I could…”
“My husband is letting me…”

Do me a favor. If you are a female photographer with a business, type out those sentences. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

Did you do it? Good.

Now NEVER do it again. Pinky-swear me.

I know husbands and wives consult on finances. I know this. Many of us have budgets and when we make a large purchase, we discuss it together prior to coming to a decision. Heck, if my DH made a huge purchase without discussing it with me first, I’d have kittens. All over the floor. It would be a mess.

And, when a mutual decision is made that we’re excited about, we like to share it. Totally understandable.

But please, dear girlfriends with businesses, for the love of all that is “professional businesswoman,” please, if you have a photography business, do not preface a statement about a photography purchase with the words: “My husband said I can…” or “My husband is letting me…” 

For instance: “My husband said I can upgrade my camera,”
or
“My husband is letting me add to my lens collection.”

(I just typed those sentences and got hives.)

When you preface a statement that way, it gives the impression that your business is just this “cute little thing your husband lets you do.” Now, if that is the case, then no problem–carry on.  But, if you want to be taken seriously, then you need to make sure your business is perceived as serious.  Makes sense, right?

Think about it…we don’t see that kind of admission attached to other female-owned businesses. I can’t recall ever reading a post that said:

“So excited! My husband said I could buy a new desk for my law office!”


“Over the moon right now-talked it over with the hubby and he said I could upgrade the stove in my restaurant!”

“I have the best husband in the world! He’s letting me update the waiting area in my salon!”

Discuss it. Talk it over. Make the purchase and share the excitement, but please leave out the words:

“My husband said I could…”
“My husband is letting me…”

Please. I beg of you. My semi-feminist heart can’t take it. xoxo

About the Author

Lynn Cartia (AKA Missy Mwac) is a photographer/eater of bacon/drinker of vodka and a guide through the murky waters of professional photography. You can follow her social media links here: Facebook, Tumblr. This article was originally published here and shared with permission.