  A reaction model for $\gamma + p \to J/\psi + p$ photoproduction, which
exposes the $c \bar c$ content of the photon in making the transition
$\gamma\to c\bar c + \mathbb P \to J/\psi$ and couples the intermediate $c \bar
c$ system to the proton's valence quarks via Pomeron ($\mathbb P $) exchange,
is used to deliver a description of available data, viz. both differential and
total cross sections from near threshold, where data has newly been acquired,
to invariant mass $W \approx 300\,$GeV. The study suggests that it is premature
to link existing $\gamma + p \to J/\psi + p$ data with, for instance, in-proton
gluon distributions, the quantum chromodynamics trace anomaly, or pentaquark
production. Further developments in reaction theory and higher precision data
are necessary before the validity of any such connections can be assessed.
