This is going to sound super pretentious and weird, but I don’t even like to call myself a photographer. Photography is an aspect of what I do for a living, and I’ve been doing it on some commercial level for the past 10+ years, and longer than that. I usually have some kind of camera with me beyond my phone, and I enjoy shooting all types of subjects and topics.
But because it’s not the only, or even main thing I do, I don’t feel comfortable calling myself a photographer.
I totally agree with you. I call myself an "opportunistic photographer" - if an interesting opportunity present itself, I will follow and photograph it. I've been a photgrapher for 50 years, and are definitely more fluent in two genres - Landscapes and (the past 10 years) Street Photography, but through all these years, I have photographed all genres, from Weddings and portraits, to Wildlife, to still lifes, macro etc...
But, that being said, I once attended a lecture by a Gallery owner, and he made it clear that, if you are looking for gallery representation, your portfolio should be niche. A Gallery owner is not looking for surprises. He wants to rely on the fact that he know what to expect from you, otherwise he cannot marked you / your photography
This is going to sound super pretentious and weird, but I don’t even like to call myself a photographer. Photography is an aspect of what I do for a living, and I’ve been doing it on some commercial level for the past 10+ years, and longer than that. I usually have some kind of camera with me beyond my phone, and I enjoy shooting all types of subjects and topics.
But because it’s not the only, or even main thing I do, I don’t feel comfortable calling myself a photographer.
Not pretentious at all. It’s liberating when you just know where you are (or even where you’re not). Thanks for sharing!
I totally agree with you. I call myself an "opportunistic photographer" - if an interesting opportunity present itself, I will follow and photograph it. I've been a photgrapher for 50 years, and are definitely more fluent in two genres - Landscapes and (the past 10 years) Street Photography, but through all these years, I have photographed all genres, from Weddings and portraits, to Wildlife, to still lifes, macro etc...
But, that being said, I once attended a lecture by a Gallery owner, and he made it clear that, if you are looking for gallery representation, your portfolio should be niche. A Gallery owner is not looking for surprises. He wants to rely on the fact that he know what to expect from you, otherwise he cannot marked you / your photography
Well said, and thank you for that anecdote.
Never allow yourself to be labelled! Certainly don't label yourself.