Tom Woolworth Loc: Peoria, IL

Interesting post. Been doing this since 1977. Went to school for Police and Fire photography and expanded out to a little bit of everything thru the years.
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/thomas-woolworth.html

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

One of mine, my avatar in fact, was used on our company calendar a couple of years ago. One of our clients loved it and asked me to get him a canvas, cropped and blown up to about 20 x 40. Miller's lab charged me $180 and I charged him $400. That's more than i made selling beach real estate last month. Does that make me a pro photographer instead of a beachsand peddlar? Ha! Don't I wish!

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

did i hurt your feelings by asking this question?

why did i ask it? simply because i was wondering if there were people here that i could discuss business issues with, how did they use their end of the year funds? any client issues, tax support programs, workshops for business owners, etc.

sorry sometimes it is nice to know there is a group of peers in a large group that you can turn too. this question had nothing to do with skill as a photographer but more to do with finding out who in this large group faces the same day to day challenges and joys as I do.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

Well said Annie. His was an obnoxious post.

PAO Loc: Lewiston NY

I thought this forum was all about helping each other with photog questions and how to improve. It is starting to sound like who is the better, than who contest...

the f/stops here Loc: New Mexico

Annie, I chuckle at your term "legal Photography Business" because I are one. Actually I'm two ... I've been a professional photographer since about 1970 and my specialization is "legal" evidence or forensic photography. After graduating with degrees in civil and structural engineering, I worked for an architectural/engineering firm. One day I got called into a room to help clean up a gallon of spilled liquid. The room was a darkroom and the liquid was developer. One of the firms four partners was an avid amateur photographer and I now became his student. It wasn't long before I left engineering and began doing photography professionally. Needless to say, my first specialty was architectural. I then expanded to illustrative and then multimedia. In 1985 I was introduced to legal evidence as a specialty and it was the correct one for me. Some forms of photography are more artistic whereas others are more technical. As an engineer, guess which way my brain works. Being technically creative is a no-brainer for me. I love what I do and tend to be as busy as I want. I chuckle and continue to work because the equipment for my hobby has become so expensive. My hobby is photography!!! I travel and photograph nature and wildlife from Alaska to Costa Rica. Every year I lead tours and teach photography when I have the time. I hope this helps in your decision to become a pro or not. J. Goffe a/k/a The Bird Paparazzo

cindij Loc: New Lowell, Ontario, Canada

Reply to the F-Stops Here. Wow forensic photography that must be interesting work.

the f/stops here Loc: New Mexico

Cindy, my work is interesting and it's fun to me. It has changed in the last few years since everyone now has a digital camera and so many people (including attorneys) consider themselves experts. I get to spend a fair amount of time in court testifying that they are not!

Your bird image is cute and could be used for the last slide in a presentation saying ... "the end!"

My best, J.G.

DePratt Loc: Stantonsburg, NC

Does having a photo published qualify. :-D

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Annie, I consider myself an advanced amateur photographer; I do not have more than a few community college courses as formal training, and could not be certified as a pro if I sought a state license. However, by your definition, I am a professional because I do operate a full legal photography business.

I produce art prints (both traditional photographic images, and images I term "photo-digital art", which are photos combined with various digital painting techniques). I don't do portraits. I don't do weddings. I don't take photos of people's cats. My business is that of the art festival circuit. I travel throughout the western states selling my work.

I am set up the same as any legitimate business. I have county and local business licenses, secure out of state permits and tax IDs as needed, file taxes as a company, possess a resellers tax permit, keep records of cost of goods sold, etc. My trailer, canopy, display panels, etc are designated capital asserts for the company. As the old saying goes, if it quacks like a duck ...

Side note: Do to the amount of revenue I bring in, I have to enter any local, regional, or state photography competitions as a professional as well. So, despite my personal assessment of myself being an amateur, for a number of practical purposes I am professional.

Bubu Loc: Out of this solar system

Annie_girl, your question is perfect. Let's ignore the ill intended put downs.

And now, to the answer: I am not, but I wish I were. My dream all my life, but I became a chemist. I would like to learn from the pros.

odessa1 Loc: Eastern N.C.

I am soon launching my web page advertising my studio. It will be partime. I dont feel comfortable calling myself a pro I dont know if I will ever be that confident...so much to learn and everythings always changing(trends. Styles)all I know Im passionate about photography hopefully I when Im ready to retire I will be fulltime.

Gramps Loc: Republic of Tejas--Tomball, TX

And your point is?

newtimes Loc: Indiana

I"m full time working for a Catalogue Company, that sells Stationery, Wedding Invitations, and other bits. The catalogue side has fallen off of course over the last few years, but the web site photography goes on.

It's also fun as I have to be creative for things like the Covers of the different catalogues, making the product look good, which can be difficult, giving the stuff a feeling of atmosphere round it like a home, office, young ladies bedroom or whatever.
Other than that I am getting back in to sailing photography whic I used to do in the Caribbean (St.Lucia) but these days I'm up on Lake Michigan...........not quite the same as 82 degree waters in the caribbean.........
Yours Aye
Chris

jmsibert Loc: Colorado Springs

Annie, your definition denies me that title with a capital P. However, I was paid $20 for a lower-case 'professional' set of shots that a friend wanted me to take once, and I am currently a junior-level photographer for the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs school newspaper. They will start paying me for my photos soon.