Christopher Barr from ChristopherBarr.com posted an interesting question in the photography professional group. He asked the member’s of the group When is a “Photographer” A “Photographer” followed by this:
Christopher’s Post
“I recently followed a discussion in PIP launched by a “freelance photographer” who needed assistance with shooting a exterior evening portrait in our nation’s capital. The supportive and caring response to the question was thoughtful and complete in the extreme. It really was a tribute to the professionals that are part of this group that shared without reservation even though I sensed a unspoken consensus of incredulity that a “photographer” would be unfamiliar with basic shutter drag.
In the end, I suppose anyone who has ever taken a picture is a photographer and if you can get someone to pay you then you are a pro. Likewise, I know of no pro who didn’t launch their career doubtful of their readiness or worried that they would be revealed as a charlatan soon after taking their first shoot deposit.
I want to make it clear at the outset that my intention is not to demean anyone who considers themselves a photographer. I have 8 interns who humble me with their work on a regular basis.
That being said…
I would really like to know how it feels to the pros out there who see aspiring photographers present and market themselves as “photographers” not to mention “professionals” when by any reasonable measure such a claim is at best a benign stretch of their own imagination….(of course, I don’t mean to include Ashton Kutcher in this subset of “photographers”).
I can play a few songs on my daughter’s piano and look like I know what Im doing but I wouldn’t call myself a pianist. So why is the word “photographer” bandied about so easily by so many with little more than a Coolpix and a website?
Am I just having a bad day or is this ever a minor irritation to anyone else too? “
Dwayne’s Reply
” @Christopher Barr –
Interesting post Christopher — There’s not a test to take to say whether you are or are not a professional photographer. If there is and I’m missing out don’t bother to send me it because I’m pretty comfortable on my journey as a professional photographer.
I’ve been photographing for 8 years. Everyday I pick up the camera and try something new to push myself. I handle myself professionally as a photographer and a businessman. The things what have change..well transformed from 8 years ago to now is me having a bit more connections, some happy clients, skills I’ve a adapted over the years, a style that I could say I like along with composition-styles I can call my favorite.
(You guys stay on track with me on this..this topic excites me so much I feel like I’m going every where with my words)
Something brought up in these replies made me think of something I want to share with you guys..I shoot skateboarders…I’m a professional photographer but when it comes to skateboarding photography I can’t touch Sam Muller’s photography…as yet..but I feel as if my photographs give him a tough challenge if he ever try to touch me in portrait photography for skateboarders..or anyone.
Go Skate Day was not to long ago. At the skatepark I took my D300’s and 15 year old aspiring photographer had a Canon PowerShot 950 or 11 something I can’t remember but it was a point and shoot. He then tells me that he got $1,000.00 for one of his photographs to be in a restaurant down here in Miami.
WTF. I love his hustle but here again goes who is the professional photographer??
Well known photographer Chase Jarvis once said the best camera is the camera that you have…hmmm…I believe that is true to an extent.
The kid wanted to shoot my camera. But didn’t know anything about the basics..F-Stops, Shutter Speeds, ISO if I told him ASA shitttttttt let’s not ever go there because even I’m to young for that but I’m a freak about my profession so I know it was used for ISO in the grandpa days. (Shout out to Joe McNally =] )
That being said..One becomes a professional when he / she learns how to handle the profession professionally in the: pre-production, production and post production stages with enough knowledge of when they pick up the camera its camera is going to do this for me under these conditions and they sure of it because the professional developed skills with a camera to pay the bills.
P.S. — before I stop running on with this let’s use Chase Jarvis as another example for my point of this reply saying, “Developed skills and great amount of knowledge to handle your own I would consider a professional photographer.”
Chase Jarvis never went to school for photography but he’s a professional photographer.
Hustling Hard and Repetition is the Father Of Learning.
And NO your not having a bad day this is a minor irritation for myself as well. And I love your work Christopher.
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DT.
Nassau,Bahamas | Miami, Florida”
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