I am not a PHOTOJOURNALIST

In my 6 years of professional photography I’ve photographed whitewater rafting trips, hundreds of lawyers, a couple handfuls of celebrities, pets [including a hedgehog!], weddings [even a real deal "on one knee" proposal!], babies & families, but I often have a hard time classifying myself – the person behind the camera, creating & observing these photographic moments.

I like the balance between my varied work. Sometimes hands-on, creating and sometimes hands-off, observing.

Time to time, a person will comment that they like my work because it’s very “photojournalistic”. [but not recently, so this definitely isn't reference to anyone in particular] It will often come from a recently engaged individual seeking out a photographer to capture their wedding day. First, I’m flattered by the compliment because somewhere in the vastness of the internet someone found me and liked the look of my images – how cool is that?? Second, I pause and try to explain that the images you love and the photographer that I am, are not photojournalistic and I’m not a photojournalist.

It’s a rather nit-picky detail I’ll admit, but an important one to rattle off on this slowish Tuesday afternoon.

I have the utmost respect for photojournalists. While photography in general is all about light & shadow, ISO – f stops – shutter speed, it’s certainly not all created equal. It’s work that I’m not sure if I could do. You say photojournalism, the image that always comes to my mind is this one, by Kevin Carter. The image certainly speaks for that moment in time, and the caption completes the unfortunate story.

Image Source: http://www.mukto-mona.com/Articles/kevin_carter/sudan_child.htm

More about Kevin Carter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Carter

This image is both celebrated for being the epitome of powerful photojournalism and criticized for being cold and without compassion. After the photo was taken, Kevin walked away and maintained his objective distance from his subject. It’s a switch he couldn’t turn off, even in dire situations. A photographer caught in the middle of misery and ultimately ended his own life.

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So let’s bring this back to MY reality.

I’m fortunate that I am not a photojournalist,

I want to interact,

I want to adjust your tie if it’s out of place,

I want to put you in front of phenomenal backdrop with gorgeous light,

I want to take a photo of you at your best,

I want your pictures to be better than reality,

I want your pictures to be better than a snapshot.

I love when my pictures look spontaneous,

I love when you don’t feel posed,

I love when you’re completely consumed in the moment,

I love when you’re having fun,

I love when you forgot that I hadn’t left.

The truth is that all of that spontaneous, unposed, caught up in the moment fun, that you didn’t even realize I was there for –  that’s all very calculated and planned on my end. Sometimes I do get lucky. More often then not, I am happy to take full credit for being prepared and experienced enough to be at the right place at the right time, creating or observing moments in front of me.

Tomorrow I think I’ll delve into why I think I’d tend to classify myself as an EDITORIAL photographer.

[FYI Merriam Webster defines editorial as: a newspaper or magazine article that gives the opinions of the editors or publishers; also : an expression of opinion that resembles such an article .]