Photographer: As an amature photographer, sometimes I feel like I am looked down upon by "pro" photographers just because I have yet taken the leap to try and make photography my...

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

As an amature photographer, sometimes I feel like I am looked down upon by "pro" photographers just because I have yet taken the leap to try and make photography my career. I love taking photos and I fear that if I make it my job that I will no longer enjoy doing it. I dont think that you have to make money to be a photographer, photography is a hobby that many people enjoy. Yes I have displayed in art galleries and yes I have on occasion done shoots for money but I still dont consider myself pro, but I do consider myself a photographer. One photographer I know(yes it is his job) said something today that kind of bothered me.He didnt say it directly to me but about a fellow photographer that he met. He knew nothing about this woman, just that in hi words, she claimed to be a photographer. How can someone judge another person with even seeing their body of work or knowing next to nothing about them.
Okay I will step off my soap box now.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

The difference between a pro photographer and a large pizza?

One can feed a family of four.

I enjoy photography as a hobby, not a job, I have plenty of those already.
And being a pro does not mean that they are any better than anybody else. It just means that 51% of there income comes from the camera.
Its like some "master electricians" I know. Can't change batteries in a flashlight but "they are Mssters"
It only means they have paid some money to the state or county.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

sandheinrichc wrote:

As an amature photographer, sometimes I feel like ... (show quote)

The hell with what others think. Don't let others control how you feel about yourself. People who look down/talk down to others usually have low self esteem and do that in an effort to make themselves feel better about themselves. The best thing to do is distance yourself as much as possible from people like that.

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

Thank you, for the comment. It was just one of those comments that kind of put me in a mood,thank you for putting me in a better frame of mind, I needed it. I am going out and shooting a small wedding later on this afternoon.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Mac wrote:

The hell with what others think. Don't let others control how you feel about yourself. People who look down/talk down to others usually have low self esteem and do that in an effort to make themselves feel better about themselves. The best thing to do is distance yourself as much as possible from people like that.

Good answer. :thumbup:

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

sandheinrichc wrote:

As an amature photographer, sometimes I feel like ... (show quote)

From what I see from a lot of "Pro Photogs", there are hundreds of 'non-Pro' photographers on UHH that can do a much better job!!

My take on the issue is that some of the "Best" photographers are the "Hobbyist" type that truly LOVE what they do. SOME of the Pro's would also fit this category, but too many of them are not. The difference is the pro has the knowledge of where and how to market the results.

I respect the work of more Hobbyist category than Pro category photogs.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I know a lot of professional photographers. I have never heard a pro say anything untoward to me or any other amateur. As a matter of fact, all the pros I know have been extremely understanding, helpful and kind. You must have run across a normal run-of-the-mill jerk who would say anything to anyone to make him/herself feel better about not being a better photographer.

sandheinrichc wrote:

As an amature photographer, sometimes I feel like ... (show quote)

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

These are insightful comments and I agree with them all. What I'd like to her are comments from some pros. Many here (Like Captain C and many others) are pretty supportive of and helpful to hobbyists, so I think us "non-pros" might have a pretty good home here.

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

DavidPine wrote:

I know a lot of professional photographers. I have never heard a pro say anything untoward to me or any other amateur. As a matter of fact, all the pros I know have been extremely understanding, helpful and kind. You must have run across a normal run-of-the-mill jerk who would say anything to anyone to make him/herself feel better about not being a better photographer.

The sad part is that I know this gentleman and his wife, I meet them before they where professionals and over time it has gone to his head, he also always seems to be complaining about never getting days off.

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

doduce wrote:

These are insightful comments and I agree with them all. What I'd like to her are comments from some pros. Many here (Like Captain C and many others) are pretty supportive of and helpful to hobbyists, so I think us "non-pros" might have a pretty good home here.

I have found here that most of the pros that fequent here are pretty nice, but out in the world I have found way more that are not, I have met some pretty rude and full of them photographers. I mean I get that you know that you are good, but come on.

tramsey Loc: Texas

sandheinrichc wrote:

As an amature photographer, sometimes I feel like ... (show quote)

This 'professional photographer' isn't much even as a human being. He probably has expensive gear and has paid for a certificate or license and that makes him a professional. I would distance myself from this person and have as little to do with the person as possible. There are many pros on this forum that are really great people. Capt C jumps to mind and about four others that I can't think of right now but I recognize their avatars. These people are really decent and helpful. Don't let one dufus mess with you. If you have been asked to do a wedding, your photography must be recognized as professional by the people who really count, the customer. Good Luck on your shoot. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

S, what does being a pro photog even mean? Yes, it's been discussed here many times, and the pros seem to come out of the wood work.
Why won't they ever show you a photo?
Untill I can taste their pudding and see how they walk, I discount anybody that tells me they are pros. I very, very, very rarely run into one.
Having a camera in your hand and talking loud doesn't make them pros.
Ask instead to see their portfolio.
A pro NOT carrying their portfolio won't find work. And it had better impress you! :lol:
We all have to learn to walk.
SS

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

doduce wrote:

These are insightful comments and I agree with them all. What I'd like to her are comments from some pros. Many here (Like Captain C and many others) are pretty supportive of and helpful to hobbyists, so I think us "non-pros" might have a pretty good home here.

My take on it after 40 years as a full-time pro:
I have to shoot to please others for a living.
I am paid to inject my own creativity into what I do, but it's not something I do FOR myself other than a job.
That being said, the satisfaction of doing a job well helps and getting to work on projects with other creative people is always a bonus.
Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy what I do!
I do, however, shoot personal projects to keep me sane, or something resembling sanity.

Amateurs get to shoot what they want, when they want and how they want.
In some ways, I am jealous of amateurs- they don't have the pressure to produce other than to please themselves.
Some are well-off enough to afford the good equipment.
There are some great amateurs on this site who can outshoot a lot of professionals, including myself.

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

SharpShooter wrote:

S, what does being a pro photog even mean? Yes, i... (show quote)

I am not a pro but I carry a portfolio, either a phyical one or one the one I keep on my kindel fire.
Sharp Shooter I always enjoy hearing what you have to say, you are always very insightful.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

The word "amateur" comes from the Latin root "to love." There are serious amateur photographers whose photography skills are the equal of most pros. And there are pros, even successful ones, whose skills leave something to be desired. Pros with great business skills, especially self-promotion, can get away without being great photographers by finding clients who don't know the difference between great photography and mediocre photography. Amateurs have the advantage of not having to please anyone but themselves.