Alan from Aavian Prod wrote:
I'm sorry, like it or not, you are a GWP (Guy With Potential).

Don't let it get go to your head!

ok

joshua ellis wrote:

ok

wait thats GWP not GWC.

musart wrote:
why is it some 'pro' photographers feel the need to belittle beginners?

i just got 3 emails from 'established' photographers telling me to change my classification from 'semi-pro' to 'GWC'....wtf?

i classified myself as semi-pro for these reasons:
1. i do it part-time (i'd go full-time if i could pay the bills)
2. i've been paid for my work - and published
3. i try to be oodles more professional than some pros - especially in the way i treat models who are good enough to work with me...

so what does that make me?
a gwc?

f*ck me...

Since when did GWC imply a level of experience? I was under the assumption that the term is supposed to refer to a photographers intent (i.e. unprofessional attitude toward models...put tactfully). If GWC is a level of competence then all photographers start out as GWC's. One is not a GWC simply because his portfolio isn't to the levels of others expectations.

Michael Pandolfo wrote:

Since when did GWC imply a level of experience? I was under the assumption that the term is supposed to refer to a photographers intent (i.e. unprofessional attitude toward models...put tactfully). If GWC is a level of competence then all photographers start out as GWC's. One is not a GWC simply because his portfolio isn't to the levels of others expectations.

so what do you call a model with unprofessional attitude towards photographers

Michael Pandolfo wrote:
Since when did GWC imply a level of experience? I was under the assumption that the term is supposed to refer to a photographers intent (i.e. unprofessional attitude toward models...put tactfully). If GWC is a level of competence then all photographers start out as GWC's. One is not a GWC simply because his portfolio isn't to the levels of others expectations.

precisely what i thought as well...

i'd like to think my work is pretty good - in fact - i love it
and i'm a much tougher critic of my own work than anyone else would be...

in my eyes, a GWC is a step up from a guy in a trechcoat outside a bedroom window - but only because he can affort the camera...

joshua ellis wrote:
what does GCW stand for already?

guy with camera

STANLEY LAFLEUR wrote:

so what do you call a model with unprofessional attitude towards photographers

Umm...a model? lol.

musart wrote:
why is it some 'pro' photographers feel the need to belittle beginners?

i just got 3 emails from 'established' photographers telling me to change my classification from 'semi-pro' to 'GWC'....wtf?

i classified myself as semi-pro for these reasons:
1. i do it part-time (i'd go full-time if i could pay the bills)
2. i've been paid for my work - and published
3. i try to be oodles more professional than some pros - especially in the way i treat models who are good enough to work with me...

so what does that make me?
a gwc?

f*ck me...

the fact that they actually contact you concerning your proclaimed status sort of eliminates any connotation of professionalism on their part.
This site has about as much to do with professional photography as my mom's cat.....who, by the by, died last year.
It used to, vaugely, back when it started but now its just a free for all.

musart wrote:

guy with camera

ok thanks. should make you want to shoot more. don't let it get to you. i would take any feedback at this point.

STANLEY LAFLEUR wrote:
i am a GWC as a matter of fact i have 4 cameras

Well, then that would make you a GW4C's

joshua ellis wrote:

wait thats GWP not GWC.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Leo Howard wrote:

Well, then that would make you a GW4C's

omg.. haha sorry that was funny though!

TSOJAW wrote:
phuck 'em all....your work speaks for itself.  where I come from we call 'em haters.  usually that's because of jealousy or envy or a strong insecurity about themselves.  sooooo i say again...phuck'em.  be a GWC that creates some beautiful work..  Some of these so-called pro's need to get their asses off of thier shoulders and realize that they are not above anyone.

Do what you do.  It's good.

; }  James

I don't know if they think are 'above anyone' (of course, there are always a few assholes in any group of people) but... it is annoying, to be perfectly honest, when those that are NOT professional photographers, models, MUA's etc. just say they are.

It is one of the only industry where if you want to be something you automatically are. (Even if you are a hooker you have sex for money before you call yourself one, lol.)

I want to be a doctor - so do I say I am one? Of course not.

But, people will say they are professional photographers and professional models because... well, how do you stop them?

Why not "aspiring model?"

I just think it takes away from the people that have worked their asses off to get agents, tearsheets and clients.

Eh, maybe it's just me.

RachelCWhittemore wrote:
I don't know if they think are 'above anyone' (of course, there are always a few assholes in any group of people) but... it is annoying, to be perfectly honest, when those that are NOT professional photographers, models, MUA's etc. just say they are.

It is one of the only industry where if you want to be something you automatically are. (Even if you are a hooker you have sex for money before you call yourself one, lol.)

I want to be a doctor - so do I say I am one? Of course not.

But, people will say they are professional photographers and professional models because... well, how do you stop them?

Why not "aspiring model?"

I just think it takes away from the people that have worked their asses off to get agents, tearsheets and clients.

Eh, maybe it's just me.

so i ask again - what is wrong with semi-pro?
pay, passion, professionalism...
check, check, check.

aspiring?
absolutely - everyday - to get better and better...

anyone who isn't is complacent.

musart wrote:

so i ask again - what is wrong with semi-pro?
pay, passion, professionalism...
check, check, check.

aspiring?
absolutely - everyday - to get better and better...

anyone who isn't is complacent.

How do you define semi-pro? Halfway professional? I'm sorry --- I am not trying to be rude, that just does not seem to make any sense to me?

RachelCWhittemore wrote:

How do you define semi-pro? Halfway professional? I'm sorry --- I am not trying to be rude, that just does not seem to make any sense to me?

He is referring to his part-time status…. Some of us do make money off photography but do not do it as a full time job. This affords us the freedom to pick and choose our projects with out having to worry about where the next meal is coming from.

musart wrote:
i just got 3 emails from 'established' photographers telling me to change my classification from 'semi-pro' to 'GWC'....wtf?

Here on Model Mayhem via Private Message or actual e-mails off the site?

RachelCWhittemore wrote:
Never mind, I\ just thought about that for a moment, and I am assuming we are using the same definition.

So, I am guessing you are making some money off of your work - but you def. still need a day job?

I guess there is no judge (except the agencies) to say whether or not a photographer's work is professional until they are published... and more than once. (By a real magazine, with a real name, etc. etc. etc.)

Rachel

thanks.
wasn't sure if i needed the other ball kicked or not.

all better now.

Ched wrote:
Here on Model Mayhem via Private Message or actual e-mails off the site?

they took the time to actually email me directly...off the site...
which is why i found it all the more petty.

musart wrote:

they took the time to email me directly...
which is why i found it all the more petty.

Ched wants to know if they sent it to your account here on MM

NC17 wrote:
Don't fret yourself... they're only revealing their true mentality.
Professional people that behave professionally don't have time to worry about what the classification is of the next guy. They're too busy working on themselves.

Listen to this woman.  She has a good head on her pretty shoulders.

musart wrote:
2. i've been paid for my work - and published

Well, then you deserve to call yourself a semi-professional if you want to. Ignore them or (since it's private off-site messaging) tell them to go f**k themselves.

Besides there's SO many portfolios on MM that are much less professional than yours, I can't imagine what they were thinking...

Michael Pandolfo wrote:

Since when did GWC imply a level of experience? I was under the assumption that the term is supposed to refer to a photographers intent (i.e. unprofessional attitude toward models...put tactfully). If GWC is a level of competence then all photographers start out as GWC's. One is not a GWC simply because his portfolio isn't to the levels of others expectations.

Exactly. GWC isn't about the quality of your work...it's about whether or not you pretend to be a photographer to see boobs. You can be really talented and be a "GWC"...GWC is more about intentions than skills.

NC17 wrote:
Don't fret yourself... they're only revealing their true mentality.
Professional people that behave professionally don't have time to worry about what the classification is of the next guy. They're too busy working on themselves.

So true....and marketing, and shooting, and making money!  Always amazed at how much time so-called pros spend on here instead of working on their businesses.  For me, a full time pro who makes a very handsome living after getting to this point over 25 years, this is an evening treat when all the jobs are done or set aside for the night, calls for tomorrow's bookings made, studio cleaned etc etc.  Don't have time to worry about someones else's classification except when how they behave and the product they show here or to clients brings down the name of pro photographers in general.

musart wrote:
thanks.
wasn't sure if i needed the other ball kicked or not.

all better now.

LOL. Sorry but that's funny. I have to remember that one.

Don't give it a second thought. There are all kinds of strange people in this industry that do such things. Your work rocks. Keep doing what YOU do by your own standards. I've been accused of not being a "real" photographer more than once. I'd never give what someone says here regarding my motivation or intent too much concern.

Kaitlin Lara wrote:

Exactly. GWC isn't about the quality of your work...it's about whether or not you pretend to be a photographer to see boobs. You can be really talented and be a "GWC"...GWC is more about intentions than skills.

Yeah, and besides, wouldn't it be more effective to pretend to be a doctor to see boobs? Every woman trusts their doctor and as everyone knows photographers are shifty  and depraved characters.

So...a note to all GWC's. Become FDWC's (fake doctor's with cameras) and you've got something.

NC17 wrote:
Don't fret yourself... they're only revealing their true mentality.
Professional people that behave professionally don't have time to worry about what the classification is of the next guy. They're too busy working on themselves.

I agree.