Being a commercial photographer is not my goal, nor will it ever will be. I don’t have the training, or the experience to compete with established professionals. I believe I am part of a photography movement that is based on capturing experiences, experiences from a viewpoint of someone that isn’t a traditional commercial or editorial photographer. Clients aren’t providing me with a set shot list, but rather giving me the freedom to capture the moments as I see them from behind my lens, both mobile and DSLR. I see value in the ability to offer a client both tools to suit their needs, access to my audience and vision through my mobile device, as well as the more versatile, larger image size of my DSLR work.
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So in the beginning of his blog post he says he is not a photographer and never wants to be one, then he continues on to talk about his clients, and then how “professional” photographers have to work with a shot list provided by clients but he, in turn is above that because people pay him for his unique perspective, implying tat 1) “professional photographers do not have a unique perspective and 2) he does not get any kind of required shots from the client (doubtful). In his final sentence says he is not any kind of specific photographer, but is however, a photographer. But I thought he opened his blog post with “I am not a photographer”. So what does this blog post say? Does that anyone with a phone is now a photographer cause they can hike up a mountain and take a photo of someone wearing a hat? And that professional “photographers” just shoot products on a shot list?
Regarding the modern state of professionalism: All of these roles, definitions and boundaries have indeed become blurred. I think that’s what Scott is trying to convey… though I agree with you that his words need to be thought through a bit more. I can relate to his perspective, since I too am just a guy with a camera who likes to take pictures. However, over time, and with experience… I’ve built on that fundamental philosophy with defined approach and technique. I suppose that’s the ‘professionalism’ that Scott is trying to speak to.
There seems to be room in the professional world for Scott’s attitude… and you have to admit that his portfolios are thoughtful and well edited. Isn’t that what the best of the professional art buying world asks of photographers? If a photographer like Scott can successfully and consistently reach those sensitive and open clients, he’ll do very well in the professional side.
Scott,
Thanks for this. I’ve been hard pressed to “define my role”, and this just nails it. I like this niche.
I really enjoy the DSLR work with clients, but also have a fondness for the “casual walk and shoot and share” approach, and they enjoy it too.
Harry
The secret to your success is fairly apparent: you take sharp, well exposed, well compositioned photos in a style ready made and perfectly suited for commercial/illustrative purposes. Count your blessings.
If you ever do develop a more personal, more idiosyncratic, more “artistic” style of shooting- chances are you won’t be so sought after…
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