Anonymous asked: "What I'm not: A photographer"

This surprises me. Will you explain this in more depth, please?

Absolutely. Thank you for your interest. :)

I admire photographers of all types, from amateur to professional. I know many people who fall into both categories. (They’re the people who have taken photos of myself that you see on my page/ see me post). Photography is an art that takes a skilled eye and a creative heart, which is something I have and support fully in others. I respect those pursuing a career in the field especially — it’s a constantly changing and seriously competitive world. 

It’s one that I do not want to fit into. I took a highly rated photography class from a wonderful instructor, who has been doing this for 30+ years, and is registered as a professional photographer. (To become registered you have to send in a 20-photo portfolio with your best work to be judged by some of the best in the business. It’s a drawn out process that only those serious about their career can do and get approved for). So, with that said, it’s definitely something I’ve dabbled in extensively before and still do often! I love it, especially film and darkroom work. I feel very content when doing photography — and I’m best in landscape. 

What I do not love, though, is how many people claim to be a photographer when they are not one. You cannot pick up a camera, take photos of your friends, and call yourself a photographer after that. A lot of people don’t realize how insulting that is for people who really are a photographer. Amateur photographers are greatly pushing back business for those who are seriously invested in this field — by charging lower rates, the amateur’s are drawing in customers, who don’t understand how low-quality their work currently is. And while I know that everyone has to start somewhere — and encourage ALL types of creative flow — it’s still a disappointing realization that is actually causing people who have spent thousands of dollars to get into this industry to lose their jobs. (Check out this NY Times article on this subject. It gets my point across better than I could: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/30/business/media/30photogs.html). I still absolutely respect these amateurs, I just wish they wouldn’t charge money until they’ve realllly figured it out. 

So yes, I certainly take photos often and it’s a hobby of mine.  I’ve been trained on what to do from square one. Some may even say I’m good at what I do. However, I’m not a photographer because of that, and don’t feel right calling myself one. I never will, because I don’t plan on making this my career. Make sense? :) 

I hope that cleared things up!