HELP, embarrassed to be Photog

[ghache]

I always tell people i am a photographer because this is what i like to do. I do dont tell anyone i am a network engineer (full time job) if they dont ask.
I say that i work 2 jobs and they dont really have to know which one pays the bills..

 

[Iron Flatline]

Shoot nudes. That tends to shut everyone up real fast, or at least turns the conversation into a set of frat-boy-fool cliches. Oh, and take really great pictures.

 

[photo guy]

I have some relatives like that but I just ignore them. I do it because I like it and it isn't my paying job. My paying job is more dangerous.

 

[RhysPhotograph.me]

Anyone else out there just feel totally stupid as a photographer. I guess I'm venting to the e-world cuz I'll never know any of you in the real one but I got out of high school and was lost so I started studying art/photography while all my other friends did engineering, or started working as an underground minor, or doing something "manly". I started this stuff and all I get is **** for it. My friends think I'm retarded, my family tries to make it sound ok but the only person in my family that doesn't have that look in their eye or sound in their voice like "got what the hell are you going to do with yourself" is my mom. I mean, I was too embarrassed to bust out my camera and even takes pictures for everyone at thanksgiving. Does anyone else deal with this? I don't know why but I just feel stupid doing what I love.

I know how you feel, except with me it's my own mother who has zero confidence in me, luckily I have enough arrogance/self belief not to take much notice of what others think, and continue my pursuit. At the end of the day, you need to work out what you want to do, then ask yourself if you have the potential to be good enough to bring home some serious bacon, because let's face it, if you stay on this path, one day there will probably be people relying on your talent to put food on the table.

 

[ronjohn]

I think the right word might be "foolish" not stupid. Yes, it's hard to make money, but that's okay, because you love it.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

Do you have a day job? I wouldn't want to be in reality an "unemployed photographer", I would rather be a "waiter" or "manager" or whatever who also does photography. Its hard to make a good living strictly off of photography. So perhaps that is where the problem lies? As others said, a paycheck can change peoples perspective on things. Personally, I am not a professional, and have a day job that allows me to support my family and I work my shooting in around that. I do however, hate getting the camera out at family functions. My reason for that is
1) most people in my extended family ( as I am sure is the case with most families ) have a limited understanding of what exactly photography is or encompasses.

2) I hate the constant "Wow, thats a nice camera I bet it takes really nice pictures" small talk crap that you can't get away from.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Anyone else out there just feel totally stupid as a photographer. I guess I'm venting to the e-world cuz I'll never know any of you in the real one but I got out of high school and was lost so I started studying art/photography while all my other friends did engineering, or started working as an underground minor, or doing something "manly". I started this stuff and all I get is **** for it. My friends think I'm retarded, my family tries to make it sound ok but the only person in my family that doesn't have that look in their eye or sound in their voice like "got what the hell are you going to do with yourself" is my mom. I mean, I was too embarrassed to bust out my camera and even takes pictures for everyone at thanksgiving. Does anyone else deal with this? I don't know why but I just feel stupid doing what I love.

No. Not really. I've learned not to give a sh*t.

And you should too. Life is too darn short to care.

Then again, I don't bring out the camera for family events. My wife did.


Now, I did the manly thing by going off to war even if it was just to photograph it. Since I left that field however...

My brother is the world expert in a music type that our family is about 180 degree related to... no relations. My sister became a farmer and when I decided war was the most stupid thing and became an artist... yes, I was the sh*ts. I could keep piling it on but it would serve no purpose. Do whatever you feel like doing and don't let idiots decide for you.

Just try and make sure those idiots don't need to pay your way later on.

 

[MrSleepin]

having my camera around my neck, makes me feel more bad ass... so i am sorry you feel this way bro!

i get compliments left and right on my photography! maybes it's time you leave your friends behind... or buy a more manly camera! mwahahaha!

 

[ghache]

Ive seen a post the other day on facebook that was saying.

"Before thinking your in depression, make sure your not surrounded by assholes"

 

[Brinr]

having my camera around my neck, makes me feel more bad ass... so i am sorry you feel this way bro!

i get compliments left and right on my photography! maybes it's time you leave your friends behind... or buy a more manly camera! mwahahaha!

There's the answer ha ha ha

 

[e.rose]

HELP, embarrassed to be Photog

Then quit. (My first thought upon reading the title).

Anyone else out there just feel totally stupid as a photographer. I guess I'm venting to the e-world cuz I'll never know any of you in the real one but I got out of high school and was lost so I started studying art/photography while all my other friends did engineering, or started working as an underground minor, or doing something "manly". I started this stuff and all I get is **** for it. My friends think I'm retarded, my family tries to make it sound ok but the only person in my family that doesn't have that look in their eye or sound in their voice like "got what the hell are you going to do with yourself" is my mom. I mean, I was too embarrassed to bust out my camera and even takes pictures for everyone at thanksgiving. Does anyone else deal with this? I don't know why but I just feel stupid doing what I love.

You either need to toughen up and stand up for what you love... or find a new career aspiration. Why do you care so much what other people think about what you do? If you let other people dictate when you do and don't pull out your camera because you're afraid they're going to point a finger at you and laugh... then you aren't going to last very long. :er:

I've had embarrassing moments with photography, but I was never embarrassed OF photography....

 

[cgipson1]

I have given some thought to this....

Is your family down on this, because of your lifestyle? And they blame Photography for that? Are you a sober, hardworking individual that any mother would be proud of, or are you a lay-about that parties hard and long, and doesn't make or keep commitments?

It may not be the photography that they are against.. they may just see that as a cop-out, so you don't have to get a real job! Unless you are really treating it like a "real" job... and that is a whole lot of work!

 

[Brinr]

I have given some thought to this....

Is your family down on this, because of your lifestyle? And they blame Photography for that? Are you a sober, hardworking individual that any mother would be proud of, or are you a lay-about that parties hard and long, and doesn't make or keep commitments?

It may not be the photography that they are against.. they may just see that as a cop-out, so you don't have to get a real job! Unless you are really treating it like a "real" job... and that is a whole lot of work!

I'm a very hard worker, I chose art and photography because I was a lost freshman that didn't know what I wanted when I entered college. I'm a frickin honor student, I've never had a C, I've had "real jobs" since I was 14, and I learned a second language before I was 22. I currently have a "real job" and I go to school taking 18 credits. I work 20+ hrs a week AND I put in roughly 10-15 hours of photography "work" a work. I pay for all my own gear, my housing, etc. I'm completely independent and I'm doing quite well even in this rough economy (Nevada still has highest unemployment). I really think it's just because they don't feel photography is what's traditionally "cool" to them. I take interest in working on cars and hard ranch type labor but it's not my passion. I think it's just something weird that they wouldn't do and that they don't understand therefore it's stupid. Photography may never pay all my bills and set me up to retire but I still make a good little bit of cash every now and then. I'm with you guys... F**ck em'

 

[cgipson1]

I'm a very hard worker, I chose art and photography because I was a lost freshman that didn't know what I wanted when I entered college. I'm a frickin honor student, I've never had a C, I've had "real jobs" since I was 14, and I learned a second language before I was 22. I currently have a "real job" and I go to school taking 18 credits. I work 20+ hrs a week AND I put in roughly 10-15 hours of photography "work" a work. I pay for all my own gear, my housing, etc. I'm completely independent and I'm doing quite well even in this rough economy (Nevada still has highest unemployment). I really think it's just because they don't feel photography is what's traditionally "cool" to them. I take interest in working on cars and hard ranch type labor but it's not my passion. I think it's just something weird that they wouldn't do and that they don't understand therefore it's stupid. Photography may never pay all my bills and set me up to retire but I still make a good little bit of cash every now and then. I'm with you guys... F**ck em'

Good to hear.... but sorry that they can't accept your choice. Hey.. I stay as far away from my family as I can get! Sounds like you may have to go that route also! good luck!