boberic
Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander
what exactly does semi-pro mean? I have used the term myself in that I have been published in local newspapers and sold somework. But i never have used my photography to earn anywhere my total income. I consider my self a serious amateur, Is theterm accurate in my case. Or wouldi be just trying to impress people
If you make a little cash from your photos and you think you're a "semi-pro," you are. If you don't think so, you aren't. It's all semantics.
davidrb
Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel
boberic wrote:
what exactly does semi-pro mean? I have used the term myself in that I have been published in local newspapers and sold somework. But i never have used my photography to earn anywhere my total income. I consider my self a serious amateur, Is theterm accurate in my case. Or wouldi be just trying to impress people
Can a person be "semi-pregnant"? You either take money for service or you do not. What is so "semi"?
boberic wrote:
what exactly does semi-pro mean? I have used the term myself in that I have been published in local newspapers and sold somework. But i never have used my photography to earn anywhere my total income. I consider my self a serious amateur, Is theterm accurate in my case. Or wouldi be just trying to impress people
First, one needs to define what a Pro does. This has been an elusive process on this site, and many others I have seen the question raised/discussed on.
Then, once you know what a Pro actually does, or how to define it, a semi pro would be half of that.
How is it defined in sports activities, and does the term have credibility? Does one have to be schizophrenic? Half the time working as a professional in some career, and the other half just a wandering jabbering soul, with no recollection of the first half?
If you go to a pizza/beer night with a large group of friends and you declare you are coming out of the closed as a Semi-Professional Photographer, does the term add "street cred" to your status among the group?
:P
I hold the view that if you are a "professional" at anything, that is your living. If you are an amateur you do it for fun - you don't get paid at all. Semi-pro (in anything) means that you have another (probably main) occupation, and that you make some money from another activity, in this case photography.
A semi-pro is a guy that takes pictures of 18 Wheelers for money - Dave
wilsondl2 wrote:
A semi-pro is a guy that takes pictures of 18 Wheelers for money - Dave
Am I missing something here. I thought that a semi-pro is the person who drives the 18-wheelers for money part-time.
Actually, I tend to agree with Luggerbugs' reply above.
Luggerbugs gets the nod for the best post.
He barely beats out wilsondl2 tho. Lol
Your hobby generates money to help pay for the equipment and you do a good enough job that people will give you money for what your hobby produces.
Regis
Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
boberic wrote:
what exactly does semi-pro mean? I have used the term myself in that I have been published in local newspapers and sold somework. But i never have used my photography to earn anywhere my total income. I consider my self a serious amateur, Is theterm accurate in my case. Or wouldi be just trying to impress people
I consider myself a semi-pro because I sell a few of my photos and have had some published but for me it's the great enjoyment of photography that really makes it a hobby whether I make any money or not.
boberic wrote:
what exactly does semi-pro mean? I have used the term myself in that I have been published in local newspapers and sold somework. But i never have used my photography to earn anywhere my total income. I consider my self a serious amateur, Is theterm accurate in my case. Or wouldi be just trying to impress people
Semi-pro is somewhere between amateur and professional... ha ha... There is a lot of room between these two definitions. What you call yourself means nothing to me. Don't worry about finding where you fall... show your work, and let others decide. :-)
davidrb
Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel
Regis wrote:
I consider myself a semi-pro because I sell a few of my photos and have had some published but for me it's the great enjoyment of photography that really makes it a hobby whether I make any money or not.
Regis, I am not picking on you, just the topic. The REAL answer is simple to determine: ask our newly formed healthcare oversight organization-the IRS! They will be the final approving authority. If you are a "semi-pro" the will tax you accordingly. They won't really give a damn what you call yourself, just send in your money! :arrow: :arrow: :arrow:
How good are you when up against other "serious amateurs"? If you are into grading your abilities of course.
But that's what invites the comparison.
So how good are you?
Regis
Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
davidrb wrote:
Regis, I am not picking on you, just the topic. The REAL answer is simple to determine: ask our newly formed healthcare oversight organization-the IRS! They will be the final approving authority. If you are a "semi-pro" the will tax you accordingly. They won't really give a damn what you call yourself, just send in your money! :arrow: :arrow: :arrow:
I don't make enough money from my photos to worry about the IRS coming after me. They have bigger fish to fry. Ha ha.
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.