Reply To: Fauxtogs are overwhelming!

[ggjo1972]

I have been trying to learn and absorb as much as possible in an effort to simply take better pictures of my family.  I had wanted a decent camera for a few years and about two years ago my hubby bought me a 50d.  My hope has been and continues to be that I will continue to master my camera and learn about lighting and composition and processing an image.  Honestly, I have had friends tell me “start a business” “you are talented” but I have resisted for many many reasons.  The most important is that I do not have enough knowledge about what it takes to make really great photographs or about running my own business.  I’m not even sure I would want to have a business, so why rush into it.  I think so many people see dollar signs and hear the compliments from friends and family (which do make ya feel good for a few minutes).  Now I don’t really want to put down people for trying.  Obviously, I have not got any room to criticize anyone’s efforts.  My problem is that I look around and see the “work” others are selling and I’m sad.  I come here and see the same kind people whose business I wouldn’t solicit and yet they are drumming up business.  Just like anything else, everyone has their own taste.  I get that.  The thing that really bothers me is that I have family who know how much of a passion I have for learning about photography.  And of course, in my ideal world of dreams I would be a great photographer with my own business, but it is just that a dream.  However, I have a cousin in particular who bought a Canon Rebel and less than 6 months later opened shop.  I’m so embarrassed by her work that when people say they see her pictures I cringe, I wonder if they think that is what I strive to do.  I can’t imagine how frustrating that must be to those who have years of training and experience who work so hard to make a living at something they have a true passion for.  I also happen to work for a lawyer who tells me of his constant frustration with “jail house lawyers” or “friends who know the law”  it drives him crazy.  He has spent so much money on his education and his time.  He is in a solo practice and it stuns me that people actually try to tell him the law.  So I suppose MWAC shouldn’t surprise me too much.  I guess it just makes me want to hang up my camera because if those are the kinds of images people want, I would never want to be in the business.  I’ll just keep on taking snapshots of my family and call it a day.  Thanks for letting me vent.  I was perusing facebook today and I was appalled at how many facebook photogs there are.

P.S. This is my first post and I am brand new here, but I actually did want to see if anyone could review a few of the pictures I have taken of my kiddos, nieces and friends (for FREE) just for practice.  Like I said, I am NOT in business and do NOT charge a dime for pictures, I’m just willing to do it for free for people I know who I tell to have low expectations and that I am practicing in an effort to learn.  If they are happy with some, then that’s a bonus.