It’s time to Raise the Bar. There’s not a lot of “photographers”. There’s just loads of people with Facebook pages who charge for snapshots.

• Webster says a Photographer is…
  One who practices photography; especially: one who makes a business of taking photographs.
• Webster also says that Practice is…
  2a : to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient <practice the act>.
• Webster says that proficient is…
  Well advanced in an art, occupation, or branch of knowledge.

by Gavin Seim: This is not another one of those posts about when you become a pro. Nor is it a post to be mean. The opposite in fact, so read it through if you want the whole concept. I pose this question to get us thinking. Are you really a photographer?

If you want to be an Athlete you train tirelessly. If you want to be a doctor you have to study and then study even more. If you want to be an airline pilot, it takes years. If you want to be a “photographer” it takes all those things as well. Though many seem to ignore that part.

Sometimes I avoid calling myself a photographer these days because the word is so abused. In a few years I think consumers will really start to notice. The digital high will settle and they’ll realize they’re being shammed. Like a doctor, who you find out knows nothing about healing.

I know, we could say “I’m practicing to become proficient” and that makes me a photographer. OK, but that’s not really how it works out there. In other skills, it’s pretty much assumed you’re skilled if you say you’re a…. doctor, lawyer, mechanic, carpenter, baseball player, etc.

In the real world, “practicing to be proficient” also means you’re training. And that doesn’t mean making up your own rules and calling it your style. It means continually exercising your skill to become even more skilled. You don’t just become something because you bought the gear, and you don’t stay proficient without continued practice of your craft.

Now titles don’t make the man (or woman) and there are certainly different skill levels. But I submit that unless you’re reasonably advanced in the art and craft of making photographs, you’re not yet a Photographer. You’re just a snapshooter who’s aspiring. That’s OK, and maybe you even get paid for it at times. But be honest. Be who you are and you’ll learn much faster than faking your way along.

What am I getting at? Chiefly this. The word photographer has been deluded. It seems everybody and his brother (and probably his mother too) gets a camera, makes a crappy website, gets a Facebook page, then calls themselves a photographer and charges people for the snapshots they make which require almost no skill. In so doing they to  a disservice to themselves and the client.

I know my headline is a bit bold. I wanted to get your attention. Also my bluntness may offend some because I’m saying something many don’t want to hear. But let me be clear. I’m NOT saying because you’re new you should pack up and go home. But you should understand how much training it takes to be a photographer. The purpose of this post is to make people feel like losers. It’s to look at ourselves and be honest in our assessment. Because if you want to be taken seriously, you need to be a skilled craftsman.

If you hammer in a nail does that make you you “a builder”? If you remove a sliver with a pen knife are you “a surgeon”? If you get a camera are you “a photographer”? I say no. You are not yet a practitioner of the craft that is photography. That takes time. A lot of it, and the standard is higher than ever if you really want to stand out. I even see long time pro’s who are not making the grade. They’re not “practicing” their craft. They’ve become slack, thinking they’re “good enough”.

I’m twenty six and I don’t mean to sound grumpy or bitter. I’m not. I started from nothing and I enjoy helping aspiring photographers. But it seems everyone wants the easy road. No one wants to spend the years of effort it takes to become a craftsman. Maybe I was the same way starting out. But it didn’t work. People think that because they bought a camera and tripped over a few good scenes they’re an artist. Which is why they’re not.

Everyone is making snapshots and even a few good photos. That’s fine, but it’s not rare, it’s not unique and it’s not valued much by society. Millions are made every day and billions will be lost to history as nothing more than trash. You’re friends on Facebook may be supportive and say how great and talented you are. I know that feels good. But I ask again. Do you really know your craft? Are you images following a standard of quality that is far above the snapshooter.

Now if you want to make a living, the business side is a whole different discussion. Photography may be one of the hardest professions to make it in these days and that’s when we come to marketing centric workshops and events like the Wall Portrait Conference. Discussion for another day, but if a paycheck is your goal, along with all this learning you should also be studying business. Become a master at both and you’ll really have something. And if you just want to make photos because you love photography. That’s OK too.

Being a Photographer?

• You have to spend years. It’s taken me fourteen & I think I’m a photographer, but I still have a lot to learn.
• Go learn. Yes it will cost you real money. Be it a school or weekend workshops. Do it.
• Perfection is needed. Because good is everywhere. You need to be better than good.
• A photographer is trained. Just like a baseball player, a doctor, a rocket scientist.
• The bar has been raised. Now that everyone takes photos, you have to be a master.

So, if after all this you can say you’re a trained expert. If you’re work stands above to the masses and shines. If you understand the mechanics as well as the art of making a great photograph. And if you can prove it. Then I say you are a photographer. If you can’t, then be honest and say you’re aspiring or an apprentice. That’s OK for now. In fact you’ll probably feel a lot better being honest with yourself and you’ll learn faster.

Not to all of us of all skill levels. Get out there and practice. Lets keep learning and raise the bar on quality. Good luck… Gavin.

Updated 05/06/11.