Cameras, cameras, cameras – everywhere you look these days, someone’s using a camera. With millions of people shooting every day, it can be tempting to suggest that now everyone’s a photographer. Which means that professionals have to endure a peculiar set of beliefs and comments coming at them when they’re hired to do a shoot.
Here's a list of few things that photographers often hear and they really hate to hear them, because if the things that people say to photographers are any indication, we are poorly understood. Sometimes I have to keep from slapping myself in the head after hearing certain remarks that come up again and again. Here’s a few of these gems:
Are you a professional photographer?
Your camera takes really nice pictures?
What camera do you have?
Canon or Nikon?
I am just starting to learn. What camera should I buy as my first?
I only need few photos taken, is that cheaper?
We don’t have much of a budget!
How many photographers have heard that one? I have, many many times. Once again, you can’t turn most of them down because a job is a job… but 80% of the time you’ll give your price and the usual ‘budget’ conversation will follow.
Can you make me look good / thin / amazing?
The answer is yes, I can, but only if you look good / thin / amazing without my camera. As of yet, no company has invented a filter to make someone look beautiful.
Can I have all the original photos from the shoot?
You’re living the dream!
I think people are kidding when they say this. I don't have any other job. No fixed income. On one hand, it’s indeed a privilege to work in an industry that emphasizes creativity and art. I end up spending a lot of time on my own. And yes, traveling to interesting locales is sometimes part of the bargain. It’s a hard job, and a fun job, but no less demanding than any other. It's scary. It’s not all glamorous and shiny and easy… no, it’s messy and muddy and cold and shit.
This list is far from being complete, so if there are any questions you are sick of, please share them with us in the comments!