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My Philosophy

At this point in time, photography exists in an unprecedented volume. Every day that goes by, billions of new images are created…mostly with devices like mobile phones or compact point-and-shoot cameras. Even though these devices can’t compare in quality to professional camera rigs, the right person at the right place at the right time just might create an image to be enjoyed by many for years to come!

As a professional photographer, I found myself turning my nose up at the thought of not shooting with a professional camera complete with precision glass (normal people call them lenses...we geeks like to say "glass" 'cause we think it's cooler) that is until I embraced the iPhone photo mentality. I’ll admit its kinda nice to be able to have a camera in my pocket at all times to document a scene. I believe Chase Jarvis (well known commercial photographer) said it best, “The best camera is the one that’s with you” and turned the phrase into the title of his recent book.

The question remains, with all of these imaging devices so readily available, "will there be less demand for the professional photographer?" Maybe, but I doubt it.

Photography is about love. It's about an experience. It's about passion. It's about committment. Photography is art. A good friend of mine is an opera singer. I have no interest in singing opera, although I appreciate the art form greatly. I can sing (perhaps not as well as some) but I don't have a driving passion to make singing the most important thing in my professional life.

Photography is my passion. I love the entire experience of making photographs, and I'm committed to pouring my soul into the art form. Photographically speaking, there's one aspect that's far more important than the picture itself: the person (or people) in the picture. Maybe it's an idealistic portrayal of someone in a beautiful place, or a more somber display of emotion that is often kept secret. Finding, creating, and sharing those things in a photograph is what being a photographer is all about. Having a vision and preserving it in a timeless photograph is what a professional photographer takes pride in.

I surround myself with interesting people (far more interesting than me) and draw inspiration from them to create my visions. Be inspired by the people you like and the things you love. Camera gear is just a set of tools that helps realize the vision more easily. There will always be a need for professional photographers, no matter how good those "big fancy cameras" get! I'm just proud to be able to say that I have a vision...one that's constantly evolving, and one that defines who I am as an artist right now. If you're reading this sentence, either you've skipped to the bottom, or you don't bore very easiliy. I tend to get a little wordy when I'm talking about something I'm passionate about.

David Junker
iPhone and Canon Photographer