When Photography Prep Gets… Dangerous?

Spoiler: I’m fine. My eyeball? Slightly offended.

Let me set the scene.

It’s a regular weekday. I’m in my garage, doing a dry run for an upcoming Dance Portrait Day — testing lights, setting up backdrops, pretending I’m calm. You know, the behind-the-scenes stuff no one ever sees but makes all the difference.

And then — BAM.
An extension cord I was adjusting snaps back like a rubber band from a cartoon and hits me directly in the eye.

The enemy!

Yes.
My actual eyeball.

At this point, I’m blinking like a confused owl and wondering, “Is this how my photography career ends?”

Fast-forward to me at urgent care, doing my best to explain to the tech how I managed to injure my eye… while prepping for ballerinas. She tried not to laugh. I don’t blame her. I would’ve laughed too.

They brought out a literal tool box

Then came the coolest part:
She used a neon yellow numbing eye drop followed by a black light to check for damage. And yep — there it was. A visible little cut across my eyeball, glowing like something out of a sci-fi movie.
Honestly? Super cool. Mildly horrifying. But mostly… cool.

I left with antibiotic drops, a pirate squint, and a renewed respect for extension cords.

And just to add the cherry on top?
After urgent care, I headed straight to the dance studio to finalize the setup. The first thing Miss Yvonne asked me?

“Will you need extension cords?”

Honestly… I couldn’t make this up if I tried.

Here’s the thing: I share this not for sympathy (though iced coffee and snacks are always welcome), but because this is what running a small business sometimes looks like.
It’s messy. It’s ridiculous. And yes — it occasionally pokes you in the eye.

But it’s also full of love, creativity, and joy. I care deeply about what I do, and I prep with heart — even if it occasionally fights back.

The good news?
The portraits went beautifully. Every little dancer sparkled, twirled, and shined — and not a single injury in sight.

A huge success.
And a gentle reminder: always treat your gear with caution… and maybe wear safety goggles in the garage.