Because sometimes love is enough

When Tracey first asked me if I'd like to write something for this site, I was more than a little flattered. I was also intimidated because…I'm not a real photographer.

I've been called "a photographer" before and I have been quick to point out that I'm not one. "I'm just a mother who enjoys taking pictures of her family."

I've been afraid to embrace that title. I don't make money from my photography. I don't have people lined up asking me to take pictures of their family. Heck, I just learned the meaning of aperture and ISO and how to use them to get correct exposure in different lighting situations. (And I would be more than happy to explain it to anyone who will listen because proper exposure is like the greatest, most exciting thing in the world to me right now.)

To call myself a photographer felt…wrong for so many reasons.

But I've been thinking about this ever since Tracey first extended the invitation to post something here. I've thought about the first photography class that I took in junior high. I remember the thrill that I felt when I developed the shots that I had taken and saw that they had come out exactly as I had envisioned them when I propped my baby brother's chubby little hands close to his face. I've thought of how wherever I go, I will see things with my eyes through the lens of my camera and am constantly saying things like "that would make an incredible picture!" I've thought of how I spend most social events with a camera strapped around my neck, trying to capture the little moments that may be forgotten were a photograph not taken. I've thought of how important it is for me to remember the little details of my every day life and how that is evidenced in the shots that I take (and also by my children's constant pleas to "put down the camera and stop taking pictures already, Mom!)

After much thought on this subject, I've come to the following conclusion: I do not make money from my photography and I probably never will. My pictures may not be technically good, or beautiful to many people. I may not have the best camera or fancy equipment. But, what I do have is genuine love and passion in my heart for taking photos of the people I love and the beauty all around me. I've decided that's really all the justification that I need to finally embrace the title.

I AM a photographer.

Picture and words courtesy of Honorary Sister/Guest Blogger Yvonne (aka Y and mamarosa) at Joy Unexpected.

Comments

[elizabeth]

I think a photographer can be as simple as someone who photographs. You are definitely a photographer, and that photo is beautiful and evocative.

[camerashymomma]

you ARE a photographer. all that matters is how it makes you feel, when you create with your mind and your eye and your heart. and that photograph, that is art and it is simply stunning. thanks for sharing.

[melody is slurping life]

You're thoughts are much my thoughts...beautifully expressed.

In your photo is a little girl's fantasy. Dreamy. Delightful.

Yep, you're a photographer. The love shows.

[Amie]

I am ALWAYS the one with the camera trying to find those moments no one else sees until I send them my pictures and they say "Holy Cow - thats a great picture! I cant believe you got that" and it brings me pure joy. I love taking pictures of my son and I try to get better at photography everyday!! I would love to hear you explain proper exposure to me!! I have been trying to get that forever now!!!
Thanks again for the post and I look foward to listening to you explain proper exposure :)

[laura - dolcepics]

You ARE a photographer. :)

I am a photographer too.

I need to tell myself that everyday! Thanks for the words of encouragement. I can totally relate to how you feel!

[Corey]

and a big AMEN to that. I feel much the same. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[Eleaca]

I am very new to photography but flickr really assists in the growth of a photographer. I looked at your stuff and you have some really nice shots.

If you own a camera and like to take pictures, that makes you a photographer. If you own a camera and charge money for your photography, that makes you a professional photographer.

[nickythomas]

Good morning shuttersisters,

Y, oh i SO hear you. I dont charge for anything that i do because i'm so scared that people wont like it or it wont be good enough. I had a good talking to a couple of days ago from some friends who managed to convince me that in fact I AM a photographer. It's not the exams you take or the kit you use, its more a state of mind and the ability to 'see' photos.

Walking around with a photographer friend was a great experience. We were in a museum and as we walked around both our cameras would raise at the same moment as we spotted something. He took a photo of a robot half reflected in a case and it was great to be with someone who instinctively 'saw' that picture as i did. 99% of the people in that museum would have walked past it. I look on his photographs with awe and wonder so it felt really good to get some reassurance and a confidence boost from him.

Yvonne, I think your photos are stunningly composed, beautifully shot and insightful. I hope that the feedback that you get on this thread will help you to put on the 'photographer'.mantle more comfortably.

Lots of love

Nicky x

[nickythomas]

oh and DOH i forgot to put in my photo...... ;c)

it's taken in the museum mentioned above.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2804685500/

have a lovely day ladies

Nickyx

[Marcie]

Your words speak directly to me. I consider myself an amateur photogapher..a self-taught hobbyist. The route of the word amateur is amor..which is 'love'.
As a lover of photography - I too - therefore am a photographer.
Love your beautiful image.

[Bunny]

Y, I am so happy to see you posting here. When you got your new camera and I started seeing your photos in Flickr I was amazed. I thought, wow, this girl really knows her stuff. You are a wonderful photographer and have such an eye for beautiful things. And I, too, am embracing that word photographer. It is what I do. No one pays me and if anyone never pays me I will still be a photographer.

[shelli]

Well said!! I relate very much. And that's an awesome photograph.

[maya]

i could tell almost exactly the same story. people tell me i'm a photographer, yet i hardly feel like one.

[star8278]

Thank you.
For saying what I have been wanting to express for years. I agree completely.

I am a photographer, too!

[abbey]

What wonderful words you put there.... I do not think I am as talented as you... still don't quite know about ISO and F-stops.... but I do love the subjects that I photograph daily!! :)

Wonderful post and picture!

http://www.photoblog.com/abbeyh13/2008/08/27/

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

I've always had a hard time calling myself a photographer as well.....one time my best friend heard me tell someone that I wasn't, that I just do it for fun. Later, she talked to me about my 'art' and said that I should feel free to call myself a photographer......since then, I have come to terms with that fact.......and I don't mind telling people that what I do!

[Naomi]

You explain it perfectly ... capturing the moments that would otherwise be lost,. THAT is photography to me.

Yes - I second it .... teach us about exposure!!!

[claudia]

I'll echo the other "photographers" above, your words could have described me as well. Oh and I checked your flickr stream Yvonne - I would say you're a pretty darn talented Photographer!

[Krista]

Like so many others who have posted before me, I can relate to your post. I'm not a professional photographer. I'm not even the best amateur photographer, not by a long shot. However, I love to take pictures. I see photos where others don't. I am also forever toting around my camera and taking pictures of, well, everything.

Thank you for sharing!

[renee @ FIMBY]

Ironic, I posted about this very topic on my blog yesterday (with a little video about the artistic project Who Does She Think She Is - a must watch for women artists).

http://fimby.tougas.net/Who_does_she_think_she_is

I just got my new baby, the d300 (a huge gift for mama), and I don't feel qualified to own such a beautiful piece of hardware. But I'm learning to accept that I AM qualified and I AM photographer.

[Amy Nickerson]

I think we all need to embrace ourselves as the artistic women we are, no matter what "level" we're at in the world of photography. We're all constantly learning and growing. And thankfully, because of this site, we have a place where we can all share our victories and frustrations as photographers. I think every person can capture a beautiful image with a camera, even if it's just a point and shoot camera and not some high-end SLR. Unless you're wanting to be a professional, you don't need years of training. That's the beauty of photography. It's available to anyone and all you need is a little imagination.

[renee @ FIMBY]

forgot to say...
I noticed some of you asking for tutorial tips, on exposure and such. I'd like to recommend you check out dolce pics, a shutter sister, who has posted some great nitty gritty and easy to understand tutorials that have really helped me with the more technical aspects of photography.

http://www.dolcepics.com/tutorials/

[Debbie Schinker]

Amen...AMEN!

[Brooke]

Oh what I wouldnt give for someone to explain aperature and iso to me. I am a dodo I know, but just cant figure it. I am sure its like reading, once you "get it" you get it. I LOVE your shot!

[Stacy]

It took me a long time before I felt confident in calling myself a photographer. To me that evoked some knowledge and consistency and purpose in taking photographs. I could get a lucky shot every once in awhile, but didn't really know what I was doing. I feel more confident now in calling myself a photographer, but I still know that there is so much I don't know how to do with metering, lighting, off-board flash, etc. I'm yearning so much to get an upgraded camera since I have reached the limits of my Nikon D50, but there are bills that need to be paid off first. I'm trying to be practical. ;)

BTW, you don't need a high-end DSLR to get a great shot. I took this picture 4 years ago with my basic p&s film 35mm camera on auto:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kraft/1382489566/

It is still one of my favorites today.

[darlene]

yes ... you are totally a photographer :) i heart this photograph!!

[Melissa]

This is me, I could have written this and have thought every word of it on many occasions. Thank you for sharing, from one photographer to another.

[jfrancis]

Cinderella__
after the ball.

[Yvonne]

I am loving your comments. Thanks for making me feel so welcome here!

I think the best thing I can tell you about exposure is this: You must must MUST buy Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. It has completely changed the way I take pictures. I no longer shoot in auto (except in some indoor situations.)

I can't recommend that book enough.

xo

[Kath]

Not only are you a photographer, you have your own style. As I looked at the photo, I knew it was yours. I lurk on your blog and then I find you here!

Truly beautiful.

Kath

[Julie Alvarez]

Thanks for your words.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2781145053/

[Sugar]

This was my story a couple of years ago when my friends started making me accept payment for their holiday photos. I'm still learning so much because there's always something cool to try or something that I want to improve on. All I know is that ever since my freshman year in high school, I was hooked. I just never thought it would become a means to earn a little money. It seems so weird, but then isn't that the old saying? Do what you love and the money will follow... even if it's just a little Target shopping...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarjones/

[andrea scher]

WOW girl!!
you are awesome!!!

that photo is simply beautiful...
and so is this post.
andrea

[tangobaby]

Like everyone else who feels like she is not worthy of calling herself a photographer, this post felt very familiar to me. I only started taking pictures this year, with no thought to how much I would fall in love with the art and have learned and progressed so far in a matter of months.

I just am excited to see what the future unfolds with everything I continue to see and learn. I wrote a post about this very thing a while ago, but quite apropos to your post.

Congratulations on your journey into photography too and it's nice to have a place like SS to share our love and growth together.

http://tangobaby2.blogspot.com/2008/03/my-new-glass-eye.html

[Sarah - Ji]

That is a gorgeous photo! OMG, I love it! It's so good to see you post here, Yvonne. You were one of the first people I added as a Flickr contact a few years ago, and I've been blown away the past year by how you've grown as a photographer. Yes, sister, you ARE a photographer! And a talented one at that!

[Michelle S]

Lovely shot. I'm going to show it to my daughter when she comes home from her sleepover tomorrow morning. Thank you for sharing it and your words. :D

[Lu]

Yes, you are. Wonderful post and picture.

[Puna]

Thank you for your words. I relate to them on every level. They could be written for me! Continue to inspire us with your work...

[Jodyangel]

..of Course you're a photographer. I'm a baby photographer; altho I've always been the "picture taker". Now I want to take Real pics. Ones like I see here.

So now that you've offered to explain ISO and apeture..hit me!!

I took these photo's in wales uk about 6 yrs ago with one of those throw away 35ml camera's. I found it digging around my pc yesterday...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/2809332058/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/2808658733/

[mm]

Yvonne. That is beautiful.

[Jennifer]

Yes, Ma'am, you ARE a photographer!

[Angella]

You really and truly are a photographer. I love the shot you included :)

[Mark Woods]

Lovely shot, Yvonne! Which leads me to this....!
May I suggest the Beanpod - the tripod that's full of beans?! www.Beanpods.co.uk, GBP 9.99 with free delivery in the UK. Shipping worldwide.

[Amanda H]

You wrote my thoughts down exactly! Word for word! I have had my friends tell me for the past year now that I need to start charging people for my photography and make a career out of it. I was afraid that if photography became something that i HAD to do, that it wouldn't be fun to me anymore. I also had a BIG problem charging people money for something that I didn't feel professional at. But...after much prodding from my friends and family, I finally made the leap into professional photography. There isn't much of a deman for it here (I live on an island in Alaska) so I am not overwhelmed by it. Most of all, I feel so lucky to be able to capture those special moments for people. I think a photograph is the best gift anyone can give...or receive. It's a moment in time, set still.

[Jenny, Bloggess]

Amen. You are a photographer. And an artist.