I Take Pictures.

This is a bit of a rant;

I photograph professionally. I’m educated, experienced, and confident that I take great photos that my clients and I myself am thrilled to look at.

Today, with digital SLRs running for as little as $500 with a start up kit, everyone is running around claiming to be a photographer. We all know this, we talk about it, we even have a derogatory term for these people who picked up a $500 kit and claim to be instant “professionals”, we call them “fauxtographers”.

Don’t get me wrong, I love that the medium has popularized and that interest in photography is widespread. The problem is that when everyone has a Facebook business page for their “business”, it’s hard for people outside to appreciate someone who actually knows what they are doing.

I’ll do a shoot for a client, where my contact that hired me knows what they are getting. They know the photos will be some thing to be proud of. They know that the price tag is worth it. Everyone else involved is informed; you’re going to get some amazing photographs. I take the photos, edit them, and deliver it to the contact. Next time I see anyone else involved I hear the same thing over and over.

You’re pictures we’re really good!
Thank you.
No, like really good, I can’t believe it.
Thank you.
It’s like you’re a professional or something.
I am a professional, I’m pleased you like them.
You could really do something with photography.
I am. I have been for years.

There is this disconnect with creative professionals and the people who see their work. Unless its in a national magazine or on TV, people can’t imagine it being “good”. I know some very talented designers, painters, videographers, writers, perormers, etc., their work is every bit as good and in most cases better than what I see on TV. They may not have the budget as an incorporated film studio or publishing firm, but that doesn’t matter.

In the creative fields, “professional” has been replaced with “famous”, people see it in black and white. You’re local and just playing around, or you’re known around the world. This concerns me greatly. People would rather go buy a poster reproduction of some kitschy mass produced poor art from Walmart than look in their own neighborhood for original art from talented hard working artists. They will go see the same Hollywood movie 6 times in the theatre and then buy the DVD / Bluray combo pack, but never watch a dance or play put on by local talent. Most people don’t know that there are large groups of people working day and night to make movies and get them distributed right in the city they live in.

Get out there everyone! See what you’re missing out on. Appreciate the talent right in your back yard. Don’t write off hard working people as amateurs just because their paycheck doesn’t come from Hollywood. Help them get to Hollywood!