Getting asked: "are you photographer"?

[Ko.Fe.]

I'm not a photographer in terms of the source of the income. Just taking camera everywhere I go. It is not LF camera or gripped DSLR with huge and long zoom on it. Just advanced consumer DSLR with prime on it or Leica. No flash attached.

I'm not wearing two cameras in military ammunition cross style. I don't have very distinguishable camera bag. I'm not dressing in photo jacket.
But if I'm on public event, something like local street festival, I'm getting this reaction from young strangers 🙂

They would come in front of the camera and pose with funny faces. Or look at me from the distance as at something different from the strolling crowd.

Someone older will ask: "Are you photographer?".

It would be something like horse wagon rides where parents would come with kids as I do. It will be other parents with DSLRs as I have. But I'll be asked this question.

Last summer I went after work to take pictures in nice old town. Nothing but M4-2 on me. Just to practice in street photography. Two road construction guys noticed me walking and asked - "are you with Newspaper?".

I guess next time I really have to ask why. 😕

 

[bmattock]

I have been asked that many times. I say "Yes."

If I am digging a hole, I am a hole-digger. If I am painting my house, I am a house-painter.

If they ask me if I am a professional photographer, I say "No, it's my hobby."

I am many things. Cook, dishwasher, house-cleaner, programmer, system administrator, mechanic, photographer, writer, and so on. Not to mention husband, father, and grandfather.

Most of us are more than one thing. If you take photographs, you are a photographer. If you earn money from it, you're a professional photographer.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I have been asked that many times. I say "Yes."
...

It is little bit tricky here, in Canada. By the law if I'm taking pictures in public and people are on the photo, I can't answer what I'm photographer, if I'm not officially so.
It is like sending sold lens to Dante Stella as the gift from Canada.

 

[BillBingham2]

....It is like sending sold lens to Dante Stella as the gift from Canada.

I'm thinking of a lump of pre-diamond next year........😀

Hope you folks up there can take the rush of immigrants from the US if things go the way it's looking in the primaries down here......😱

B2 (;->

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I too get that question... more often with my dSLR, although it's happened with my Leicas a couple of times.

I tend to say that I'm just an amateur. I should follow with a question: "would you mind if I take your photograph?"

Just to see what happens...

 

[peppard]

I'm thinking of a lump of pre-diamond next year........😀

Hope you folks up there can take the rush of immigrants from the US if things go the way it's looking in the primaries down here......😱

B2 (;->

Man, I agree with you. It looks like a reality show, not politics. What a bunch of clowns! I guess we deserve what we are getting...😕

Giorgio

 

[jsrockit]

I say I'm into photography, but I don't do it professionally. Usually, I think people want to know if it is your job. Some people mistake professional with skill.

 

[bsdunek]

Some people mistake professional with skill.

Ain't that the truth! True in many fields.

 

[MrFujicaman]

The ones I love are the people that ask, while I'm carrying a DSLR with a 70-300mm with a Sunpak 622 hanging off the side.."are you taking pictures?" I'm always tempted to say"no, it's a death ray....would you stand over there so I can see if it works?"

 

[rscheffler]

Surprised you're not chased down and threatened with police detention by the parents of said youngsters... 🙂 Sheesh.

With respect to kids, I photograph a fair amount of youth sports, such as hockey tournaments. The typical question from kids is if I'm going to put them on TV. I have to disappoint them by telling them I'm 'only' doing photos. 🙂 Though, I guess I could tell them they'll definitely be on the TV out in the lobby where we're selling prints.

When shooting weddings, the most frequent question is whether the Leica I'm using is a film camera. It's not (M240), which I suspect disappoints some. Some think it's m43 format and it blows them away that it's full frame. 🙂

 

[MrFujicaman]

rscheffler.....it's not the kids who ask most of the dumb questions-it's the adults!

 

[farlymac]

I usually get asked if I work for the county.

PF

 

[Rob-F]

"Only when I'm photographing. Otherwise I'm a psychologist, or a rosarian, a cook, or a dog-walker."

 

[xyz3450]

Getting asked: "are you photographer"?

A colleague saw me with a camera and asserted that I 'must be a photographer'. When I asked why, he said that anyone with a camera and not an iPhone must be!! 🙂

 

[nikonosguy]

you can always say, "No, actually I'm a proctologist"

 

[Lss]

By the law if I'm taking pictures in public and people are on the photo, I can't answer what I'm photographer, if I'm not officially so.

Just answer about a photo with no people in it. 😀

 

[lynnb]

This can be a loaded question. If you say you're a photographer, there may be local by-laws that specify you must purchase a permit to take photographs if you're a "photographer", i.e. taking photographs for money or commission or on spec.

This is rent-seeking, but a gotcha if you happily say "I'm a photographer" when what you really mean to say is "I'm someone who is into photography, but it's not my occupation".

 

[DanskDynamit]

I get asked often and my answer is always the same "yes, when I'm taking photos I am".

 

[Hsg]

When I was new to photography, I used to feel like a fraud when photographing political demonstrations because I was shooting for myself. I guess I wanted to play the PJ but with more reflection I'd say it was practice photography.

I still feel like a fraud when photographing because I don't consider myself a photographer. For me a photographer is someone who takes photos for a reason, publication, prints or exhibitions and I'm not outputting in none of those outlets.


The other day a street musician asked me, "are you a photographer?", I paused for a second wondering what to say and then I said "... an amateur", he smiled and nodded, and the look on his face implied to me that I had answered his question correctly.

 

[Kent]

If you want them to leave you alone, just say:"No, I work in a bio-hazard lab and by shooing pictures I try to enjoy the last moments of my life, because we had a terrible accident this morning." 😀 😉