A couple of days ago, FTVLive told you the story about KOTV News Photographer Jerome Akintunde, who gave up his shoes to a man that needed them while doing a live shot.

We shared a Facebook post from KOTV Reporter Reagan Ledbetter in which he refers to Akintunde, as “My Photographer.”

Yesterday, we got this email:

“It is very good of you to let people know what the photographer did, but please know that photojournalists bristle at the term “my” photographer. It should be “our.” He is no more “your” photographer” than you are “his” reporter. I am a photojournalist with 37 years’ newspaper experience and I now freelance. I bristled when “our” editor referred to me as “my” Director of Photography. We were all part of a team, as are all the reporters and photographers at “your” station.”

I agree with this and have since I was a News Photographer back years ago.

In fact, it got to the point that when we went out on a story, as we walked up to the person we were interviewing before the Reporter could open his mouth, I would often say, “Hi I’m Scott Jones and this is MY Reporter Gene Young.”

Later when I became a Reporter, I always introduced the Photog working with me that day as, “fellow Journalist.”

I know it’s a little thing, but I have always hated the term “My Photographer” and judging by this email, I’m not the only one.

By the way, in Today’s TV news, often YOU’RE the Photographer and the Reporter and the Editor and the only person on the story.

Just a sign of the times….

Also, when you have a Photographer like Jerome Akintunde that gives up his shoes on a freezing day, he’s not YOUR Photographer…..He’s the MAN!

Just saying….