Loyalty, Quality & Value... Who needs it?

I remember graduating Ohio University, with honors, determination, dreams, & my BFA in VISUAL COMMUNICATION-with a SPECIALIZATION IN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION. I still think that is a cool, and the best way to describe what I do for a living. Some people with cameras, call themselves Photographers. Does that make everyone with a medicine cabinet, a Doctor? Or, people with a paintbrush, an Artist? Ohio University had the third best Commercial Photography school in the country behind Brooks Institute & Rochester Institute of Technology. Heck, one of my professors worked (and wrote a book) with Ansel Adams. Somewhere, I still have the book he autographed for me along with his send off about how successful I would become. I am very proud of my achievements & the level to which I have refined my ability as a Commercial Photographer; and yet frequently amazed at how little VALUE that has to some people, and how quickly LOYALTY is tossed aside for the "guy" willing to push the shutter release button for next to nothin' and continue to drive our VALUE into the dirt. Guess what "guy", you're next! Unfortunately, there is someone behind you willing to do it cheaper next time! They just haven't found him yet... but they will!