Andrew Lucas

To Remain Happy

Added 2024-02-11 18:03:25 +0000 UTC

I became a photographer at a fairly mature age. I have no formal education in this field. Only a couple of years after starting my photography journey did I begin to systematically analyze what I was doing. The results surprised me but did not disappoint me. I thought I had become a professional photographer. Widespread recognition and popularity seemed to confirm it. But that's not quite the case. All these markers of success speak to the contrary.

The truth is, strictly speaking, I am not a professional. I am an independent creative photographer who has no idea how to make a living from this. Every time I create a photo, it's for my own satisfaction.. The main critic and client of what I do is me alone. I can argue with myself but with no one else. I see my mistakes and miscalculations and perceive them as a positive fact. That means my vision is fine. That means I can see them. I am an ally and opponent to myself. The main thing is to maintain balance. This is what my creativity is all about, which you love and criticize simultaneously.

So. What about professionalism?

If, for you, 'professional' and 'master' are synonymous, then so be it. But I'm that "professional" who works without a commercial basis for my creativity. A paradox? Of course, there have been exceptions (and there may be more in the future), but they won't change the overall picture.

"Nothing personal, it's just business." I read this well-known saying in reverse order.

"Nothing business, it's just only personal."

I can't and don't want to become someone else or change myself.

Let it be so.

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