Let's talk about - You are a PHOTOGRAPHER.

Todays Let's Talk about topic is one that is less heavy than the last one but is still important I think. It's about perception, or more to the point our perception of being amateur photographers, student photographers, and the like.

It's something that I’ve recently been thinking about and I feel comfortable now in being able to say that I am a Photographer. I'm not a student photographer, not an amateur, and all the other variants. This isn't because I now have some greater understanding of photographic history, or expensive gear, or charge for shoots (I have none of these things at present).

It's because I take photos. It's what I do. I may take lots in a month, I may take a bare handful, but I capture moments in time whether they be of the surrounds, of people, whatever the subject and whatever the tools used. I do what any photographer does and takes pictures.Now just because I call myself a photographer also does not mean I know everything, I still have loads to learn and no doubt my techniques will evolve as the years go by.

I found no reason why I needed to add something onto the term photographer. My work will speak for itself. If someone thinks the work I do is amateur-ish then I’m an amateur. If my work is professional then it's professional work. But I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER. Nothing more and nothing less.

And to those people out there that think you're not a photographer and feel like you need to call yourself a student/amateur/hobbyist photographer because you don't feel like your work deems you worthy. Be proud of the work you do and understand that Just because you picked up your camera last week and have just started out on your journey, or have been shooting on weekends for the last 10 years, this makes no difference. YOU ARE A PHOTOGRAPHER.