Grab Shots

Welcome to Grab Shots - Just like grab shots in photography these will be just as random. It's a series of random thoughts about the photographic industry, people in general, business and life. I'm going to keep them short and do my best to "plant a few seeds".

About a year ago a photographer asked me my opinion on new photographers. She wanted to know if I thought we should help them become better and more professional or just let them flounder and hopefully drop out of the business...

Look, I won't deny for a second we're all frustrated with the horror stories of photographers who had great gear, but didn't know how to use it. The Internet is loaded with story after story from an unhappy bride who had no understanding of what she was getting into, but here's the thing.  Half of the industry has always been part time, going back long before digital photography. There are some outstanding part time photographers. Being a full time photographer doesn't necessarily make you better, just luckier in the paths you've chosen to follow.

So, let's keep helping those new photographers who have the passion and want to learn and stop trying to slow them down. WPPI got started over thirty years ago because nobody would recognize the "weekend warrior".

There are so many different aspects to this pet peeve, but it's really directed to those members of the "old guard" who have forgotten how much help they needed when they were first getting started!