I love this debate, it's refreshing to see a good discussion without all the normal to-ing and fro-ing, usually with anger bubbling just below the surface (or boiling over in many cases!).
I 'learned the craft' of photography a good few years ago. I started to get bored, jumping around different genre's hoping to settle on one that would satisfy my craving. I've always appreciated art forms, been jealous of those with artistic talent, usually musicians but often quite varied forms. Wished I could immerse myself and gain the pleasure these artists did from at least one artistic area. I haven't 'studied' art, not read into it, not spent hours sifting through artists statements/books/interviews etc etc. However, I've always been drawn to it. Always managed to 'connect' emotionally with work I've enjoyed. I've known I've gone deeper than simply 'listening' or 'looking'.
So, a few years ago I decided to use photography as my medium to try to connect with my emotions about things. I think I'm a passionate and emotional soul so decided I'd try to use taking pictures as my canvas, my block of wood, my guitar... I now produce work that attempts to become a 'body' of work rather than one picture (the stuff I shoot for me that is- sadly not my commercial stuff necessarily). I don't think of myself as an artist, I actually don't really think I'm very good particularly but I do now think very carefully about what I'm shooting and most importantly - why. I imagine that one day my work will be exhibited and try to shoot with that as the end game. I'm not stupid, I know that the likelihood of that ever happening is lower than 1%, however, it gives me a purpose. A reason to shoot and it's transformed both my photography and my well being. I enjoy working on my project.
Previously I wanted support and acceptance from my peers, now I honestly don't care what people think of my shots. Occasionally, if I'm uncertain about an image, I might ask a few trusted friends what they think and I'll listen (providing they understand the concept) but overall, I don't really worry what anyone thinks. I don't think that's arrogance or ignorance, it's just more certainty in me that I've managed to get what I was after (well, nearly, I'm never satisfied totally obviously!).
My point is, call it what you like, (art, snaps, photographs whatever) as I'm quite ignorant artistically, taking pictures with a purpose, with an intent to try to create a 'feeling' or make a statement (however big or small) has transformed both my enjoyment of photography and my skills. I now find myself enjoying the thought process, the planning and the execution pre and post. I have a purpose and a reason to shoot what I do. Of course it's totally personal and very insular but I now get frustrated with my lack of resources (finance and locations etc) rather than always searching for a technical outlet and 'likes' of my images that really didn't excite me when I took or worked on them in the first place.
Others may not consider my work art but again, I don't mind, I'm not sure I'd even call them artistic, but they are me, what I want to say and do now. They aren't 'clever' I don't think, the photography won't blow anyone away but to me they 'work'. I'm proud of them and surely thats all that matters isn't it? Nobody else could take the shots I have because nobody else is me and I like that...