Photography has been in my hands, heart, and soul since 1975. Through countless moments and memories, a camera has been my constant companion, a lens through which I’ve seen the world, and a tool through which I’ve expressed my vision. Over the years, I’ve walked the path of both casual exploration and formal education in this art form. Yet, at my core, I’ve always been self-taught—a product of my own curiosity, instinct, and determination.
From the very beginning, I was proud to wear the moniker of photographer. It was a title that fit me like a second skin, a reflection of who I am and what I do. Back in the day, there was no ambiguity about what a photographer was or did. A photographer was someone who used a camera to take photographs, whether as a profession or as a passion. Simple, straightforward, and true.
But times have changed. Today, the world of photography is vastly different. The ubiquity of cameras, especially those in our phones, has democratized the medium. Now, everyone with a smartphone can take a picture, and many do—every day, every hour, every minute. With this surge in photography’s popularity, new titles have emerged: content creators, influencers, social media mavens, storytellers, mobile journalists, entrepreneurs, visual artists—the list goes on.
And yet, none of these descriptors fit or suit me.
I am a photographer.
I’ve always been a photographer. I will always be a photographer.
I tend to be a traditional photographer, even as I embrace modern tools. My iPhone has become a trusted companion, a powerful tool in its own right, but at the end of the day, it’s still photography. And I’m still a photographer.
You can call me whatever you want. But I’ll go to my grave calling myself a photographer.
For me, photography is more than just a job or a hobby—it’s a way of life, a way of seeing and experiencing the world. I find immense pleasure in standing on the shoulders of the giants who came before me, those pioneers who carved out the path that I now walk. They are the ones who laid the foundation for what photography is today, and I am proud to play my small role in its ongoing history.
In a world where titles and labels seem to multiply with every passing day, I choose to stay rooted in the one that has always defined me. I am a photographer, plain and simple. And I hope that those who follow me—whether you’re just starting out or have been on this journey for years—can find inspiration in the purity and simplicity of this term.
There’s power in embracing who you are, in claiming your identity without hesitation or doubt. For me, that identity is clear.
I am a photographer.
And that’s enough.
Click
Jack
