DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

In 30 years of farming I made a profit in all but 5 years.

But there's a big difference between making a profit and making a living. Last I heard, 80% of the family farms in the USA needed off-farm employment to make ends meet.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

The Question is...... Is being a Pro Photographer getting paid, and if you no longer are freelancing or a hired pro - is a person at that point, now an Amateur again?

If you use a lens longer than 8 inches, you are a professional....joking aside...

If you do photography to pay the bills and eat, you are a pro photographer, if you are doing it on a regular, full time basis. If you stop doing that and are now making a living doing something else, you can say "former pro photographer". I think we often mix up "pro" to mean the type and quality of pictures we take, the equipment we use, versus doing that and making money to survive on. We can be "pro level" photo enthusiasts if we take great pictures, have expensive equipment, big lenses, but are not depending on that activity to eat and pay bills. One time I was taking bird pics with my D7200 and Tamron 150-600 lens (big lens with the hood on) and someone asked me "Are you a pro photographer?" I said "no just an enthusiast". If you are a professional and stop doing it I would put on my resume or CV - "former pro photographer" or "retired pro photographer". Although you could say it I would avoid the term "amateur".

JBRIII

Some quick thoughts:
Some professions actually have qualification processes which you pass to be called a professional as verified by X. I remember one starting a process to do this many years ago. Think it was for engineers.
Some software has different prices for Amateur versus business use. Mathematica for example. Differences can be quit significant. So calling yourself a Pro could cost one thousands if caught. Remember a story about a ski shop called "Loony Tunes" owner told someone while talking on lift, they were from the cartoon company, had to change name due to copyright. Finally, IRS clamped down on computer deductions years ago, good way to get audited.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I was on a business trip with a friend enjoying a late-night drink at a hotel bar when a lovely lady sat at the bar next to us. I whispered to my friend "I would like to meet her." He whispered back, "You better not, she's a professional...!" 😁

dbjazz Loc: Long Island, NY

Does it matter?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Generally speaking, if you make the majority of your money from one occupation, your a professional at that occupation.

User ID

Since the question is "amatuer-professional", photo contests are cogent. In much of routine professional work and likewise in contests, the competent execution of estabished cliches is the essence of success.

For contests, that is easy enough to see. Much of professional photography needs to deliver quickly digestable packets of communication. That spells "cliches". Its a stock in trade. (See attached below.)

So there is a major parallel between contests and paid work, even though contests are very easily disparaged while paid work is generally viewed with greater respect. IOW, theres a lot less difference than is usually acknowledged.

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Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

What difference does it make if you are a "PRO" or "Amature" ? Your doing the same thing and getting paid.
Maybe we need a term "Amapro"

pdsdville Loc: Midlothian, Tx

Once a pro always a pro.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

A professional photographer, irrespective of his or her expertise is considered a "professional" if making money from photography. As has been already said, a true professional will always be a professional retired or not.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

What's in a name?

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” William Shakespeare uses this line in his play Romeo and Juliet to convey that the naming of things is irrelevant.

Who cares?

EJMcD

Amatuer-Professional?...let me see their work, I'll be the judge.

User ID

Only everything.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

The Question is...... Is being a Pro Photographer getting paid, and if you no longer are freelancing or a hired pro - is a person at that point, now an Amateur again? [/quote]

what shows up on your tax year W2 or 1099?