31/03/2025
Creative or Creator?
Art or Content?
I pay close attention during an introduction. The words a reflection of how peers perceive the things you do. Mine almost always includes “he lives in a van and plays a lot of golf.”
Even I at times find it challenging to explain my job description. I remember client conversations when I started this. Looks of confusion required me to explain my vision and services in detail.
At the time, freelance photographers were typically hired through agencies. Brands used social media almost exclusively featuring Tour players, utilizing agency and Tour assets. Courses hired local photographers, likely a friend or family member of an employee. Golf publications repeatedly hired the same people, giving them consistency. Entire budgets spent on a handful of recognizable names, considered to be fine art photographers.
A lot has changed in a relatively short amount of time. I now personally know 100’s of Creatives making a living off golf. I witnessed first hand how we got to this point. A small group of Creatives literally changed the industry for the better. Their vision opening doors and establishing the environment today. There’s many Creatives I truly respect. I constantly shower them with my support because I love their work and dedication. Beyond the work is the attitude that comes with each personality. A strong body of work over time speaks for itself.
Nowadays everyone has a camera. It’s easy to notice the line become blurred. Influencers being called Content Creators. UGC now referenced as art. Decision makers valuing numbers, not the quality of how their brand represented.
The term content has evolved in recent years. Sadly subject matter has been lost with some. Replaced with meaningless assets created without passion. We scroll seeing talent overshadowed by trends.
I’ve been told many times to focus on quantity. Growth, follower count and engagement the measures of success. I’m aware those things matter but that’s not how I got here.
Every client. Every project. Everything I do. A product of passion. Work I’m proud of will always be the priority. 💯