A New Member of The Family
Yes, this little guy is the newest member. I am an amateur photographer at best. I once took a photo of the Beardocrat's eye that was AMAZING... perhaps I should post it for your enjoyment... but realistically I like to separate the professionals from the hobbyists. Prepare to be angered but it is the truth.
There are the professionals... this guy for example. Not only is he super talented and a nice guy, but he is a professional. He gets paid good money for what he does and he is in demand. Photography is his talent, and his passion. He knows technique and is more than just a person with a nice camera who can focus and adjust the aperture or F stop.
Then there are the amateurs (I'd link to my cousin's blog, but her feelings would be hurt if she should stumble upon this). Amateurs have nice cameras, know how to tinker a bit, and have a passion for photography. I have no problems with this. I think it is actually great to see the world as a beautiful place and want to capture that. I, myself, am somewhat lower than an amateur. I am actually going to take a photography class to elevate myself to amateur status.
My disdain arises when amateurs try to pass themselves off as professionals. Anyone can set up a blog these days and I could show you dozens of websites composed of amateurs that are charging for professional photography services. Again, I have no problems with people taking pictures of their friends kids as a favor, or taking pics at a wedding as a favor, but when people start charging for a sub par product... my ire (yes ire) is unleashed. (Big Steve, how much did you charge to take the pictures for the Tabiona High School Prom in the early 80s? For shame! At least, I hope you charged...)
Comments
But. . .
To appeal to the capitalist side of you--the side that hungers for freedom of contract, I must make this argument: why shouldn't an amateur be able to charge for just that, for amateur photographs? If that is what the customer is bargaining for (and maybe gets a cheaper price) then so be it, right? If the market can't support amateur photographs, they'd disappear.
Carolina: I have no problem if the fake photographers are charging a low fee, and honest about their abilities. My poor friend was ended up paying a lady for a wedding package that was a disaster. (Think of getting a call, "So I totally accidentally deleted all of your wedding day pictures from my computer and there is no way to get them back." then having the gall to ask for a reference. UNPROFESSIONAL!
I feel it my duty as a lawyer to suggest that the bride should sue the photographer's pants off!