bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

Maybe I say this because I am an amateur, but I prefer to think that an amateur takes photos because they want to, enjoy doing so and use it as a way to express their creativity. A true professional who makes their living taking photos does so because they have to, in order to feed their family.

I'm not saying a pro can't or doesn't enjoy taking photos on their own time or can't be creative, but I would think that shooting 3-5 weddings per week of strangers would be repetitious and get rather mundane after a while. Or eventually one squalling kid would start looking pretty much like the next squalling kid. Most often, creativity is a God given talent and certainly something to be proud of. But when shooting stuff like weddings or kids, you can only use so much creativity when the subjects and settings are always the same. And with wedding photos, people usually expect some of the images to be the ordinary, run of the mill ones like slipping the ring on the finger, kissing the bride, the whole family lined up like they're preparing for an execution, the kids throwing flower petals and so on. Sure, one must get those images because those moments are very important to the customer, but they probably get excrutiatingly boring for the photographer. And you can only get so many photos of cousin Bob drunk off his butt and hitting on the bride's sister.

That's why I proudly tell people that I am an amateur photographer. And just my opinion as well. As you know, opinions are like rear ends, everyone has one.

les_stockton Loc: Eastern Oklahoma

Neither proud nor ashamed. I don't give it much thought. I'm a photo enthusiast, and I occasionally get paid.

bhfranklin Loc: Boston Area / Cape Cod

Happy to be an amateur enthusiast, but would like to make a few bucks to buy more toys!

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

Hi bikinkawboy: I would have to say I'm very much an amature... more like a rank amature... I am learning and improving and one of these days it will all click (no pun intended) for me. Thus far I may have taken over the years maybe a half dozen photos I think are very good and most of those with a simple point and shoot camera.... I have no desire to become a professional photographer... I am neither proud or ashamed to be an amature. My only goal is to become a better photographer than I am. A better photographer today than I was yesterday and better photographer tomorrow than I am today.

Gidgette Loc: Boerne,Texas

Welcome to UHH. I am another beginning amateur and I have fun doing it.

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

Not sure that I would say that I'm proud to be an amateur. I am proud that I am the first person that some think of when they want something.

I've entertained the idea of going pro, but I just don't feel like I'm there yet.

I don't think it would ever get boring--even doing it for a living, but extended shooting takes its toll on my body. I never considered how physicial photography can be. After a few hours and 800+ shots, it is sometimes hard to get out of the bed the next morning. But I'll never stop.

Lmarc Loc: Ojojona, Honduras

What he said! :thumbup:

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

When asked if I'm a pro when people see me with my gear, I just reply 'No, I'm a serious shooter.

Carioca

I'm certainly happier being an amateur than I would be as a pro.

I enjoy it, and I'm improving my skills. If I can't do one or the other of those, that's when I'll quit.

largeformat Loc: Bend, Oregon

This is really an odd question to ask someone if they are proud to be an amateur. From what I have learned about this site since I have been a member which is not long at all compared to other's I have met on here. Is that there really is not a dividing line between being an amateur or what you would call a pro photographer on this site. I think everyone on here except for maybe a few that have big ego's are on here because they are proud if you want to use that word to be on a site with other people that are enthusiastic about sharing there images with other photographers because we have a common bond of sharing good photography.

2 Dog Don Loc: Virginia Beach VA

I just like to take prictures and I have been called many things over the years. Weren't those girls in Colombia professionals? Just asking.

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

I am proud to be an amateur. I would also be proud to be a professional. I love photography and I would love to be able to make a living at it. I would be proud of the fact that as an amateur or a professional that I strive constantly to improve myself. I think that striving to improve our abilities is something that we can all be proud of whether we consider ourselves amateurs, professionals, hobbyists, enthusists, or anything in between. I don't know if shooting weddings gets boring for professionals or not, but if it was that boring I have to feel that they might decide not to shoot weddings anymore. They may book different kinds of shoots or they may decide to go into a different line of work.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

I do know exactly what you are saying. I am an artist and for many years of doing wall murals and painting people's pets (horses, dogs, cats, parrots) to print on Christmas cards and blank note cards, I have found myself wanting to just paint what I want to instead of what someone else wants me to. (Is that a long sentence or what!?)I have retired from wall murals 4 times and am trying for the 5th. They keep calling and I'm too stupid to say no. I want so badly to just do oils on canvas and make that my retirement, but I fear they have my number!!! I understand exactly what you mean. YES, I like being an amateur "photo nut" (I can't bring myself to call what I am a photographer, YET!)

Photography By Marc Loc: Lisbon, Maine

I admit to being an amateur and would like to make some money doing some work...but I enjoy what I do...when I do it and am always learning. I've had a few pictures added to some online Forums...so I must be doing something right. The Pros do an excellent job at what they do...they have the experience and equipment and decided to go Pro. But even with my simple P&S I like photography as a serious hobby...it's relaxing...takes my some places I might never have gotten to...and I am proud of some of my work. That's what makes it fun. And being an amateur does not make what we do any less important than being a pro and doing the same thing...just my opinion and thanks for letting me share.

raden Loc: Nettleton MS

Yes, I am. I have taken my time starting with auto, then programmed mode, starting to learn depth of field and Aperture mode and one day shooting in manual and knowing what I am doing. I learned a lot the first few months just taking photos and getting used to my camera. I am having fun.