A Commercial Photographers Rant

Since there seems to be such ambiguity surrounding commercial photography, let me begin my little rant with a summarized version of "what is commercial photography" taken from the Wikipedia web site:

Commercial Photography:

Commercial photography is probably best defined as any photography for which the photographer is paid for images rather than works of art. In this light money could be paid for the subject of the photograph or the photograph itself. Wholesale, retail, and professional uses of photography would fall under this definition.

The commercial photographic world could include:

Advertising photography, Fashion and Glamour photography, Still Life photography, Food photography, Editorial photography, Photojournalism, Portrait and Wedding photography, Landscape photography, Wildlife photography, Sports photography, Paparazzi etc …

The market for photographic services demonstrates the aphorism "A picture is worth a thousand words", which has an interesting basis in the history of photography. Magazines and newspapers, companies putting up Web sites, advertising agencies and other groups pay for photography.

Organizations with a budget and a need for photography have several options: they can employ a photographer directly, organize a public competition, or obtain rights to stock photographs.

My rant:

I'm a professional photographer and photography is what I do for a living. I don't have another job that sustains me and my photographic interests as so many hobbyist photographers do.

I carry several professional camera bodies and various professional lenses which collectively cost more than the average new luxury vehicle, yet many people seem to think that what I produce should be shared with magazines and websites and the rest of the commercial world free of charge.

Last summer while covering a world class cycling event for Pedal magazine I even had a gentleman tap me on the shoulder, ruining my shot, asking if I could e mail him my pictures once I was done.

I am an educated, highly qualified and experienced commercial photographer who is heavily invested in his profession and I work hard at producing high quality images so please don't contact me asking for free photos!

Thank you,

Pasquale