The Rant of a Photographer: Stereotypes 
I do a lot of photography in my free time. In a busy week, I attend up to 4 events, sometimes taking almost 2000 shots total. It's always fun to meet new people and capture important moments and be appreciated for that. However, I've noticed that there's a certain stereotype about photographers that bugs me. It's the idea that a photographer is a pot-bellied, middle-aged white man with nothing better to do with his time. Carrying huge lenses, wearing a vest, and a grimy baseball cap put on backwards. I mean, I admit that the guys doing photography do kinda fit that "middle-aged" bill. They're mostly older guys who can afford the huge cost of lenses and cameras. Just to give you an idea, a top camera costs $5000. And of course, you have to get a couple of lenses that cost anywhere from $1500 to $5000 USD. Anyways, I got a taste of this "photographer discrimination" when I was with a group of pro photographers, trying to get pictures of some college female athletes. I clearly heard one of the girls say "God, they're so creepy." I angrily went home and deleted my pictures that night. Sorry Ms. Thang, for annoying you with my utter lack of social skills that causes me to hide behind a giant camera. Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not a starving artist. I can talk to people. I'm an athlete too; nationally ranked in tennis in high school. When photographers came to our matches, I'd beg them for pictures! Just because I'm taking pictures of you doesn't mean you're automatically a star to me. You're a star if you show the proper respect too. This is also why I love MIT's dance or cultural events. People are so chill and nice, so I love being a photographer. Photography is tough. You gotta be on your toes for the whole event. It's a bit stressful. It's quite a workout. And a two-hour event costs me about 10 hours of Photoshopping time before I release my pictures. Some appreciation for photographers please!!!  Note to Photographers: Please stop wearing those vests and fanny packs.  We're cooler than that! 
Thank goodness Rain is a Nikon spokesman; he helps to boost our image. | 
