I was browsing Facebook the other day during my spare time when I came across a link one of my 'Facebook friends' posted on her timeline about the "fake photographer epidemic".

The column was definitely, in a way, humorous.  It made a few good points about what a photographer ISN'T, but it never said what a photographer really IS.  It got me thinking about what makes a photographer a "photographer".

1. Photographers immerse themselves in their profession.

At Tiptoe, every one of us is constantly on the lookout for inspiring places, objects, and ideas. We get this image in our head and we work to create it in real life.  It's one thing to have the creativity and imagination to shape that image, but it's another thing to actually be able to make it happen and make it look good.  Aside from making this pioneering image come to life, we have to make it all about you (that's the fun part!)  And from there on, it's an endless cycle. Our lives revolve around creating the perfect photo.

2. Photographers constantly improve.

Like any other professional field, there is ALWAYS room to advance in the photography field! Whether they are skilled in landscape, editorial, or wedding photography, they should always be inventing new techniques and exploring and experimenting with new ideas.  As long as the creativity is flowing and the practicing is constant, improvement will follow.  Here at Tiptoe, we are still learning tons of new things about different ways we can use our Photoshop program and we've been using Photoshop for years!!  The learning never stops!

To me, that's what it means to be a photographer.  It's not because of the camera someone owns, it's not about the editing program they have at hand, nor is it about having a Facebook page dedicated to their skill...It's all about the skill they possess and how they use it.

Comments or questions welcome!!