ETA: she knows when the events are and where because she now follows the influencers and group. I am not saying she doesn’t have the right to be at a public event, i more so am annoyed at her thinking we are besties that are on the same level and telling everyone we’re both shooting the event. I am not talking about actual contractual abilities, I am talking in an emotional and moral perspective of annoyance and frustration.

31 F photographer from New York here. Can someone tell me if I’m being dramatic? I absolutely don’t want to radiate mean girl energy at all. I’m a very specific type of photographer that I’ve worked very hard to, in a male dominated field. I befriended this girl who I was not even aware was a photographer, who then followed me on my socials and started showing up to said events with her camera, so I was suprised. She followed me around the whole time and when I would pose a client, she was pretty much second shooting. She doesn’t have a photography page or anything to my knowledge, but I’ve only met her twice. She thinks we’re besties and told me she’s going to be at all future events as a photographer. I’m not threatened bc I know I’m very good at what I do and have a good clientele who respects me, but just yesterday saw that she went through and followed all the smaller clients I work with. (Essentially I do content creation for influencers). I wouldn’t think anything of it if she was following the bigger creators but they’re all newer, smaller creators that only I would know. I feel like she is individually messaging them trying to get business. I met her because she is a friend of my close friend so I really don’t want drama but it’s so odd. Am I being mean by saying something? Should I just let her be? I’ve just worked very hard to be where I am so I’m annoyed. I truly am usually a girls girl and would be happy to help her get started if she asked, but it’s just feeling sus.