A guy in my building's group chat asked everyone to chip in for his "professional photography session" because he wants better LinkedIn photos
Posted in our building's WhatsApp group on a wednesday evening. His message was maybe 6 lines - explained that he's job searching, wants to make a strong impression, found a photographer who charges $280 for a professional headshot session, and was wondering if neighbours would be willing to "invest in a community member's future" by contributing whatever they feel comfortable with. He included a Venmo handle. He has lived in this building for approximately four months. I have spoken to him twice, both times about the elevator being out.
The chat has 31 people in it. It went completely silent for about 11 minutes after his message, which in an active group chat is genuinely a long time. Then someone replied "good luck with the job search!" which is the group chat equivalent of a very polite door close. He responded thanking everyone for their "support and positive energy." There had been no support. There had been one sentence wishing him luck.
The thing is I actually have a decent camera and have helped two other neighbours with headshots for free just because they asked nicely and directly. This guy didn't ask if anyone had a camera. He found a $280 option and decided the building should crowdfund it. There's also a completely free option which is going outside in decent light and asking literally any person to take a photo with your own phone, which produces a perfectly acceptable LinkedIn photo and costs nothing.
I genuinely hope he finds a job. I did not send him anything on Venmo. I also did not reply with positive energy.