Did y'all see he boudoir ads on cpys for spitting image photography? Holy moly. Maybe I'm out of line, but they have really got some balls. "You wouldn't trust your heart in the hands of a "self taught" surgeon, why trust your memories to a "self taught" picture taker?". First of all: what a craptastic name. I would just never have the word spit in my business name. But hey, not my business. B. Cindy cano. Rach Lea. Laura oldfather. Et al. " Self taught picture takers" that do an amazing job. I've seen people with masters degrees take some sad sad pictures. Self taught can be amazing. #3. Before you go blasting other photogs, take a quick look in the mirror. Since when is a wordpress blog a professional choice for a serious Internet presence. Cough up the dough and get a domain name at minimum. I'm not in NC anymore And I'm kinda crabby right now. This is such a sad sad marketing strategy and unprofessional to boot. My good friend with a masters in photography and a bachelors in marketing highly agreed.  

I wouldn't put Rach Lea in the same sentence with Cindy and Laura... Just sayin'. 

I wouldn't put Rach Lea in the same sentence with Cindy and Laura... Just sayin'. Agreed. 

I wouldn't put Rach Lea in the same sentence with Cindy and Laura... Just sayin'. Word. 

I understand why y'all say that, but I put her there because her pictures are beautiful. I wasn't talking about professionalism at that point. Shedoes have a great portfolio and an eye for beautiful photos. 

Yes .. I agree that Rachel lea has a great portfolio.. I thought about hiring her in the past while Laura was on Hiatus 

Shedoes have a great portfolio and an eye for beautiful photos. This much is true.. 

"You wouldn't trust your heart in the hands of a "self taught" surgeon, why trust your memories to a "self taught" picture taker?" Wow.. just wow. 

She actually did some pictures of mine and im in love! :) 

im working on doing a porfolio. its a hobby/business adventure i've decieded to do while my husband is deployed. I don't wanna just put something out there that is inapproiate etc. i saw that person and thought it was weird to post that stuff... 

It's not so much wierd as it is rude. There are oher ways to say he same thing without putting others down in the process. Where is Vicky? She can rephrase it beautifully I'm sure! 

*viiiiiiiccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkyyyyyyy!!* 

Lmao. 

I don't think you need to reword it Betzy! They were rude by what they wrote and you and every other PHOTOGRAPHER around here has every right to be annoyed with it. I am not a photographer but I have a love for photography and do plan on going to school one day. That is because I am not very good at self taught photo editing. I am not very computer savvy! I think maybe this person might have run into to many people who buy a fancy camera and turn around trying to sell a photo business. Laura and many others have shown proof that they are good a what they do. There are some around though who buy the equiptment but don't have the eye for it or don't know how to use photo editing software. So again maybe this person wasn't directing it at everyone but either way. They are plain out rude! 

holy cow the person has a picture of a naked lady with her covering her goodies...yikes. my husband would not like that of me on cpys, maybe on her site but not there... 

Wow- just seen this and the ad-made me wonder the other day when I seen it. Betzy,I agree self taught are great from what I have seen(Laura does great and you for sure!) I mean Im going to college for my photography degree and have had photos published but do not advertise Im a prof.photographer and wont until we move and get my degree.Im also more of a nature person:) -but to me some of these photos are more than needed.There is no way in HELL my hubby would allow a photo of myself to be put online for other men to drool over,since we have seen what types come on cpys. 

Oh and BTW I have read many photographers are self taught and make as much money as others with degrees.Depends on your fan/customer base and your work. But shout out to Betzy,Laura! Great Photographers! Cindy-seen her work,from what I have seen,she has an eye for great photos,places,poses. New people on cpys-not sure about. 

Lol about the new people. True true. But everyone has to start somewhere, right. Kudos to you for gettin your degree. FeomwhT I understand, you have to have a masters to even get near a publication like national geographic. I'd like to work on a photography degree as well someday. I dunno I just found the whole ad in bad taste. But that's just me. Don't they teach you ANYHING about marketing in photo school? I.e. Putting down others so blatantly is tacky? 

yeah National Geographic is picky,but you also have to be where they need a photo(alaska,hawaii)Where there are volcanos and animals free grazing.Ive looked them up the photo contest is unreal! I would love to travel and take those kind of photos. I agree though photography courses I have seen do not promote bashing of other local photographers.They actually say come up with your own ideas. And check it out online-most people say photography is self taught,and the fact some of famous photographers hardly have any school background . 

And as we have said on the underground- Its not the camera that makes you a great photographer.Its knowing how to use it and make great photos.Editing is a plus! 

Amen. Girlie. Amen. Know what else is tacky? Me calling them out on the underground. Lmao. :D but hey, I figure, I'm not advertising here or living here anymore. And I should give my fellow self taught picture takers and non tacky educated photogs a break and post it anyway. :D. I wasn't sure if I would feel better after doing it, but I think I do. 

I wouldn't put Rach Lea in the same sentence with Cindy and Laura... Just sayin' completely 100% agreed 

If I posted what i've done so far would you ladies mind giving me your honest opinion be it good or bad. I ask my husband and he says there good, but then again he wants to jump on top of me in the mornings when I have black eyeliner all over my face. so he doesn't count lol 

Would any of you know if the Canon Rebel T1I is any good? It has too many functions, I can't keep it straight! 

holy cow the person has a picture of a naked lady with her covering her goodies...yikes. my husband would not like that of me on cpys, maybe on her site but not ther omg i know what you've mean, i've took some killer "sexy" pics but I cant show anyone :( yeah National Geographic is picky,but you also have to be where they need a photo(alaska,hawaii)Where there are volcanos and animals free grazing.Ive looked them up the photo contest is unreal! I would love to travel and take those kind of photos. oh you should see my uncle works for them!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/babasteve/link title 

Laura he works for National Geographic?Wow if he does!How would you go about getting freelance/photography work? Love the ones of Korea. Looks like he has been into photography a long time.Great photos! 

I saw the ad and cannot reword it tactfully....because I became jaded when I read it... My initial thought was "glad she has a great body because her mouth and her face are a major disappointment." Sorry ladies... feeling snarky.... 

hahaha vicky 

Lmao. I love you Vicky!! Too funny. 

I saw that same ad the other day and thought that it was complete bs. I am a self taught photographer, but I am no where near as good as some of the others on here. But then again my style is more landscape and structural. and for me it is just a hobby. I have seen many crappy photographs taken by school taught photographers and yet some of the most beautiful stuff that I have seen were done by self taught. I believe you have to have the eye for it to begin with. And many of the ladies on here have that eye for it.