Love You Too, Bye

A 911 Story for Photographers’ Communication 

Before I opened the doors to OdyMac Photo, I spent over 20 years with a headset on, answering 911 calls and dispatching emergency responders. Later in my 911 career I promoted to Operations Supervisor, overseeing dispatchers in my own office with an entirely different set of responsibilities. There’s a saying in dispatch that goes, “once you’re a dispatcher, there’s always a job for you” because it is a rare skillset and very much needed in every community. 

That rang true in my dispatch center as I had to be available to work in dispatch on a whim, no matter what was piled on my desk. Dispatch was frequently short-staffed, which required the Supervisors to share the load by “plugging in” on the dispatch floor, giving the already-overtired dispatchers some relief from mandated overtime.

One day I was doing exactly that—dispatching fire units, processing a non-emergency caller, fielding a scheduling text from my boss, replying to an email from a field sergeant, and sneaking a look at a text from my husband that ended with “I love you.”

I wrapped up the call with the citizen, but instead of my usual “Thank you, have a good day,” out slipped “Love you too, bye.” And I hung up.

Seconds later, I was back on the radio like nothing had happened, until it hit me: I had just told a stranger I loved them. I laughed out loud because I bet she was replaying it too, wondering if she’d really heard me right. The other dispatchers popped their heads up from their monitors to confirm what they thought they’d heard, too. Silly me. But honestly? That’s classic Melody. I care so dang much about people!

Slow the Spiral 

As sweet as my “love you too, bye” story is, not every conversation feels like that in life and in business. Some are harder, like emails from frustrated clients, or texts that sting, or situations where emotions run high.

Communicating with difficult clients doesn’t have to be overwhelming, time-consuming, or stressful. It doesn’t have to be combative. And it certainly doesn’t have to drain the joy out of your work.

That’s where my dispatcher background really pays off today. Because I learned that even the toughest communication doesn’t have to spiral out of control. In fact, I rarely experienced that in 911 or now in my photography business. It comes down to listening, affirming, and being kind to both my callers, my clients, and myself. 

In the 911 center, after a really tough call, it was easy for a dispatcher to replay the entire conversation in their head, and with their co-workers, wondering how they could have handled it differently. I see the same thing happen in the photography world. A difficult email or text comes in from a client, and the photographer stresses, replaying it again and again until they finally post it in a Facebook group looking for confirmation for their emotional response. But what I’ve learned is, when I’m stressed, I struggle for clarity. I lean on negative thoughts. I don’t assume good intentions. The more I loop the story in my head, the less self-confidence I have. 

Here’s the kicker: I know how to respond, I just can’t see it when I’m stressed.  

I don’t need to respond, yet. 

I need to move my body.

Step Before You Send

Walking and focused breathing are two simple and powerful ways to stop the loop in your brain. When we replay the story, there’s no space for reasoning to catch up—only emotional reactions. Movement slows the spiral, makes room for clarity, and helps your brain catch up with your  heart.

Below is my dispatcher-turned-photographer hack for processing hard communications before reacting. And, just like we excused dispatchers from the floor after a tough call to take a lap outside, you can give yourself that same grace.

The Truth

The truth is our clients don’t need us to be flawless. They just need us to be steady. To listen. To assume good intentions. To be clear. To be kind. To be human. Don’t we want that from others? 

———————————————————————————————————————

The next time your inbox makes your heart race? Take a walk before hitting reply. Then come find me at The Reset Conference or catch me at SPAC Conference in 2026—we’ll swap stories and laugh at our business bloopers. 

I’d be happy to help you through a sticky situation with a client anytime, just send me a DM! 

Read another guest-blog with one of my heart-wrenching/warming 911 stories, here.

———————————————————————————————————————

www.odymacphoto.com

IG: @odymacphoto