I was talking to some
photographers the other day who were telling me how there are so many
photographers in Cranbrook but only a handful who actually are. They
mentioned how if you don't have qualifications and you're calling
yourself a photographer it's insulting to photographers who went to
school. They mentioned how some of these so called photographers have
told them that they don't know what they are doing or what their camera
can do. The shocking part to them was that people actually pay them to
take photographs.
Now I know I'm not a good photographer
but I don't think I'm bad. I've only been taking serious photographs for
ten years and I'm pretty much completely self taught. I learn through
experimentation and error. I know there is a lot I can learn still. My
photographs are not perfect down to every detail. They are raw and
unprofessional. But there is something attractive in that sometimes.
After
talking to the photographers I felt embarrassed to call myself a
photographer. I wanted to put my camera back in it's box and remove all
my stuff from Facebook and Flickr. Photography is a hobby for me. Yes,
I've taken photographs for others. They wanted mementos. I have only
charge for my work five times. Three of those insisted I charged them
and later said I was charging too little so they paid me double what I
asked for. I'm not saying this to brag. It's more so to point out that
I'm not trying to compete with photography businesses. I can't! I could
never succeed in the world of commercial photography where I was doing
weddings and family shoots all the time. That's not my strength.
I
love photography. I love looking through a lens and trying to relate
the emotion of the moment. Half the time I take photographs and upload
them online purely for my own enjoyment. Yes, I have a Facebook page.
One of the main reasons I have that is so that I can share photographs
with my friends and family that don't live near me. Of course there's a
little selfishness in there because I want to hear what other people
think of my work. Flickr is great for this because people give you
criticism, hints, tips, and encouragement. Is it wrong that I have a Ashlée Perreault Photography page? Should I change it to Ashlée's Random Photos for Family and Friends?
I
can see how hard it must be for people who are in the field, after
going to school, and making a life out of their photography. Digital
Cameras have made it so every Joe Blow from Kokomo can take a good
photograph. But you can tell the work of a professional, a hobbyist, or
someone who bought an expensive camera and doesn't know how to use it.
Instead of tearing someone down for not having been to school, people
should be encouraging others to learn about what they are doing. Dive
right in. Get excited! Get together with others and learn from each
other. If you're going to try to make a living out of it I'd look in to
getting some credentials.
To all my photography friends
out there, you are incredible. I don't want to name you because I'd miss
somebody. Probably the one that ends up reading this. Everyone has
their own niche. Incredible landscapes, scenic shots, action shots,
portraits. Heck if we all started working together we'd be a killer
photography business!
Keep up with what you're doing for as long as it makes you happy.
