We must assert ourselves as artists, not just ‘photographers’. To simply think of yourself as only a photographer is quite demeaning towards yourself.
Visual artist as a stepping stone
The ultimate apex is to be an ‘artist’. And to be frank, you’re already an artist. Every child is born an artist, but gets this innate artistic power beaten out of them as they get older. Like Picasso said, the secret is then:
How do you remain an artist as you get older?
I think the notion of becoming a ‘visual artist’ as a good stepping stone towards the apex of ‘artist’. But to be frank, it all comes down to self-confidence.
To have the chutzpah and guts to call yourself an ‘artist’ is quite brazen and bold. Yet this is what you must do in order to develop yourself to the fullest apex.