A Camera Doesn’t Make You a Photographer

There is one recurring situation in my work as a model that hurts me and, at times, feels downright insulting. I’m not talking about every photographer, but many of the ones who message me on social media offering a shoot somehow feel entitled to devalue me as a model, dismiss my experience, and assume that I—a professionally trained model with an extensive portfolio and years of experience—will work for free in exchange for photographs I might not even like.

Sometimes the situation becomes simply absurd. A photographer messages me and offers to shoot, and when I tell him my rates, he proudly—and with a certain air of arrogance—announces that he never pays models.

Sorry, but who exactly are you? A world-famous photographer? Some insanely fucking famous and successful photographer known across the globe? No. Definitely not, considering you were the one who reached out to me. If you were that famous, you probably wouldn’t have the time to sit on social media looking for people to photograph.

Some people consider themselves photographers simply because they own a professional camera. But owning a camera does not make someone a photographer, just as beauty alone does not make a woman a model. In my opinion, it is people like this—those who wake up one day and decide they are suddenly a photographer or a model—who create so much distortion and confusion within the industry.

There was a time when I wanted to become a photographer myself. I even completed photography courses, and I can honestly say that I am more of a photographer than some of the people I have met.

Once, someone sent me photos that had been edited with AI, and every single one of my tattoos had been completely erased. What self-respecting photographer uses AI for retouching? I don’t understand it, because even I use Photoshop or Lightroom, depending on the kind of editing required. Yes, I’m not an expert—but apparently, I’m still better than many of them, judging by experience.

I genuinely love photography. I always take countless photos when I travel—it is one of my many hobbies.

So what was I trying to say with all of this?

Honestly, I just needed to get it off my chest.