Pretending? You call taking 50 photos formally rated by a third party service 96% or higher pretending? You call working on camera technology for Apple (and taking home 1/3 of a million this year) pretending? You call reporting modeling expenses to the IRS pretending? Why don't you pretend to get laid once in a while, Wang Chung?
Damn dude! Lighten up Francis.
I wasn't slamming you in the least. I'm merely pointing out that dudes do things not because we really want to do those things, but we think/hope doing those things will get us laid.
I even mentioned all the goofy stuff I've done (forgot to mention a couple of ballroom dancing classes I took) to meet girls (successfully). Do you think I EVER would have taken a yoga class if I thought it was going to be full of dudes?
No, I would not.
And YOU would stop being a "photographer" in a couple of nanoseconds of you could ONLY take pictures of trees.
And since you are asking others of PROOF of their "online boasts," do you have any PROOF that ANYTHING you've done as a "photographer" has ever turned a profit?
In a sense, you're not much different than "musicians" who carry their guitars around (and get laid) without every having SOLD any music.
Again, I'M NOT SLAMMING YOU, so take a deep breath and see the big picture here.
I'm merely pointing out that dudes taking pole dancing classes MAY BE DOING SO so they can get laid. Just like YOU are a photographer so YOU can get laid (or fall in love).
Get it?
(BTW, do all these girls who've pictures you've taken as a photographer know that you keep posting them on a men's forum to support your boasts about your lady slaying skills?)