Happy Being Non-Professional
and my journey to not caring.
What is a professional photographer anyway?
Is it the number of accolades they have received? Whether they work full-time or part-time? The expensive equipment they use or their technical knowledge of light and shadow? Is it the genre of photography they specialize in that makes them a professional? Or is it simply having a website, a logo, and a social media presence?
Do any of these factors truly matter? Does the label "professional" even matter?
When I was a younger photographer, I was fixated on labeling myself a "professional photographer." Being just a photographer felt insufficient. I would be easily offended if someone referred to me as a hobbyist or an amateur. I wanted others to recognize that I had spent years refining my craft and meticulously designing my website, logo, and building my business. I wanted to prove that I was worth the money I charged for a full day's work.
The title "professional photographer" felt like a badge of honor. And I truly believed I deserved it back then.
But now, I couldn't care less. Perhaps time has matured me, but I am perfectly fine being the girl who wanders through magical cities with her plastic film camera, taking pictures of everything and anything for the sheer joy of it.
I don't care what people think of the gear I have or whether it's professional enough in their eyes. I don't care if my photos ever appear in a coffee table book or a gallery, although that would be cool! I don't care if I am ever invited to discuss my decades' worth of experiences on a podcast or if I become a well-known photographer. I don't even care if anyone cares about the thousands of photos I've taken throughout my life, once I'm gone.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm just a girl who loves taking pictures, and I'm okay being just that. If I could wish for one thing, it would be for everyone to reach this state of contentment, because there is immense freedom in not worrying so much about labels and perceptions.
Wandering through NYC earlier this summer with my toy-like Canon WP-1 felt like a breath of fresh air. I saw many photographers carrying around way more pounds in gear, and it reminded me of my younger self when I visited NYC for the first time. Not that there is anything wrong with bringing professional gear to one of the most iconic cities in the world. It just felt so good not to be held back by the pressure of being professional. I was thrilled being a non-professional photographer that most people didn't even notice.
All photos below were taken in the Meat Packing District—it’s a slower paced part of NYC that I love. I used a Canon WP-1 with Kodak Tri-X 400.
Thank you for being patient when I fell off the map for a couple of months. I have missed y’all so much but I’m excited to give some life updates soon!
I have often considered the notion of making photography my livelihood but since photography was my escape and therapy from mental health issues a few years ago, it has remained my place of solace from my day job.
You have followed much of my recent journey into finding freedom in shooting with compact cameras, so this post resonates strongly.
Super black and white images that truly convey a sense of place.
This is a nice thought. I wrote something similar in a journal a month or so back. I found you on here through a digicam google search. So far I’ve really enjoyed your work. Your memory cards post made my girlfriend cry like a baby. Thanks for sharing.