I have gotten myself embroyeled in an odd and frustrating conversation on Facebook. I was looking at another friends page when I noticed one of his friend’s comments. He was telling my friend (let’s call him Ed) to be realistic and recognize that photography isn’t really a PROFESSION. It’s not something you can have as a CAREER. You certainly can’t support a family with it.
I’m sure you can figure out why I bristled at that suggestion. I encouraged Ed (through Facebook) saying that every magazine is filled with photographs, nearly all resulted in pay for photographers. And that’s just editorial and commercial! There’s also portraits, weddings, music/entertainment, photojournalism, product, industrial, paparazzi, etc.
The friend didn’t like my retort and reasserted that you could not *ACTUALLY* support yourself (let alone a family) by being a photographer. He likened it to being a singer just waiting on your big break. Here’s one of my favorite parts:
“I will not argue this point any further but how many people do you actually know that make a full time living in photography? How many wedding photographers and portrait photographers are full time? ”
Hit and run. Cute.
The problem with his arguement is that, OTHER than me, I know (first name basis) AT LEAST a dozen full time photographers that do not have day jobs and make all of their money in photography (with a splash of graphic design thrown in to keep things interesting). That’s just the guys I *know*. Nashville is chock-full of pros. Pro’s making a living. Full-time.
In the end, it doesn’t matter how many photographers I know. *I* am a professional photographer earning 100% of his family’s income through his camera. This “friend” can rain on Ed’s dream all he wants. Thankfully, it doesn’t change my story or those of the people I know.
I shall close with a favorite quote of mine from General Anthony McAuliffe during WWII,
To the German Commander:
NUTS!
-The American Commander
One Comment
Hmmm… well obviously the guy doesn’t get out too much in the photography world. Good quote! – JG