Being

Merriam Websters dictionary:
Pronunciation: \prə-ˈfesh-nəl, -ˈfe-shə-nəl\
Function: adjective
Date: 1606

1 a: of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b: engaged in one of the learned professions c (1): characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2): exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace


Over the past few weeks, I have been really able to focus.......on "becoming" a professional photographer. Depending on who you talk to, there are a few different definitions of "professional". One is as simple as getting paid for taking pictures. Another is how you "present" yourself and conduct business. Still another is the results of your labors. Are they "snapshots" or do they have some thought put into them and emotion coming out of them.

A basic rule of thumb for photojournalism, is that an image should be able to "tell a story" without any words attached. No cut line or caption. No paragraph of explanations.

Most anyone can pick up a camera today, turn it on set it to a green mode and press the button. The image will in most all circumstances come out exposed properly. But is it "composed" properly. Does that picture tell a story. Will it be one that you return to in 10 years to relive the memories of that particular moment. Will that picture, 20 years now, stir memories in you that you had forgotten. A time, a location or an era.

One that can make those images, time and time again is in my definition a professional. That is what I want to be.