Missed Connections, pt. 4

Here’s the link to the images:
Flower Skirt: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7MlCEoEDaftNk1tSXBYTWFqZVE
Black Bodysuit: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7MlCEoEDaftd1hLYmk1VnZXeWc 

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MISSED CONNECTIONS

I met Tazia back in August. A fresh-faced, enthusiastic beauty, in a very short time period she reminded me that jaw-dropping looks and a fun attitude still exist in this world, and for about two weeks we had a great time shooting, telling jokes, and enjoying each other’s company. Then she disappeared. Or rather, she stopped talking to me.

I thought maybe we got too close too quickly, but the main issue was her extensive personal issues and emotional fragility. Either way, the sudden distance bothered me. A lot. And suddenly, she was everywhere. My little community is relatively small, and my town is surrounded by a lot of other small, coastal towns. But like all places, new and young photographers abound, coming out of the woodwork like bright, green weeds after a sudden burst of rain. Some are decent, some are abysmal. But she was shooting with all of them, especially ones I personally don’t respect. She was shooting with all of them except me.

I messaged her a few times and heard nothing back. I thought maybe I had crossed a line, maybe I had ruined a good thing, etc. etc. As a Mexican, it’s all about “what did I do wrong,” self-blaming is a big thing in our culture. But as I’ve advised so many people in my life, it’s never about them. The other person is usually the one suffering through their own issues, you have nothing to really blame yourself over. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t bothered or hurt by her departure any less.

Finally, after over three months of no communication between us, I reached out one last time. And she responded almost immediately. She explained as best she could how dark of a period she had been in, how she was much better, how much she had missed spending time with me and working with me. 

I wanted to believe her, but frankly, the old adage is incredibly true: “Once bitten, twice shy.” 

So, last night, she came over. To talk, to catch up, but also, tentatively, to shoot. She brought over some cheesy Christmas outfit and wanted the stereotypical, obligatory holiday images. But I also wanted more. My ego wanted some validation, some vindication, some tearful apology and some declaration that I was the best, that she was sorry, that she’d do anything to gain my trust again. And I received some of that. Not the way I wanted it, but enough to leave me open to trying with her again. But man, I still am nervous.

So, with all that said, here is a photo set from August, back during the first week I knew her. I’ve been sitting on these all this time, uncertain what her reaction would be. Now, at this point, I don’t care, or rather, I trust she won’t come out of the woodwork accusing me of anything bad by posting these. For now.

So, what do you think? Should I be giving her another chance? Am I just a sap, a sucker for a pretty face? What would you have done in this situation?

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Always feel free to send me your feedback, positive or negative! And thank you as always for your continued support, I truly appreciate it.
 

Here are those links again:

Flower Skirt: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7MlCEoEDaftNk1tSXBYTWFqZVE
Black Bodysuit: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7MlCEoEDaftd1hLYmk1VnZXeWc