What makes you a Professional?
Mar 11, 2020 13:16:20 #
….. wrote:
...along with the professional handling (customer service) that a client gets when they deal with a pro continues to be diminished, ...
Whenever a finger is pointed, there are three that point back. The proverbial inadvertent truth.
Whatever Walmart does, or not, has very little effect on the public view of a professional photographer (and everybody else who deem themselves as "professional"). "Professional" does have the cognitive connotation of "makes money”.
The market is a very fluid place, regardless of product provided. Anything can come by and change some parameter. To expect something based on some perception and to demand a particular response is ludicrous, at best. It never worked.
Is “professional” an added bumper sticker or is it an aptitude? When I repped, I followed the three tenets of being successful in sales. 1. Provide the best product. 2. Provide the best price. 3. Provide the best service. Nothing to do with public view.
How do you perceive your relationship to your client?
Mar 11, 2020 13:18:57 #
The only sure way to make money in photography is to sell your equipment.
Mar 11, 2020 13:21:05 #
Mar 11, 2020 13:23:29 #
alliebess
Loc: suburban Philadelphia
Longshadow wrote:
Professional -> Really good at it. 
And with the ability to convince others that this is true.
Mar 11, 2020 13:24:11 #
alliebess wrote:
And with the ability to convince others that this is true.
Mar 11, 2020 13:25:07 #
You know you are a professional when your Uncle Sam has his hand out for a share of the profits.
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Mar 11, 2020 13:27:24 #
Very good post. I personally feel that a professional photographer means you have an acquired knowledge of photography and photographic abilities. I believe you also need to be able to make money with your artistic abilities behind the camera. Having published my work, sold my work in a variety of art galleries, and to personal clients, I feel like I have earned the title of professional photographer. I don’t think owning a smart phone makes you a professional photographer, but again some professionals may disagree.
Mar 11, 2020 13:55:37 #
Richard1947 wrote:
Very good post. I personally feel that a professi... (show quote)
I would disagree. To me a professional is one who earns money doing it (I am not sure the definition of either simply earning some money or earn a living) but that's all. I don't think one has to have the skill or can produce quality work to be considered professional.
Mar 11, 2020 14:05:55 #
There are many people who are excellent photographers, but photography is not their primary profession.
Does that make them not a professional?
Does that make them not a professional?
Mar 11, 2020 14:30:14 #
Longshadow wrote:
There are many people who are excellent photographers, but photography is not their primary profession.
Does that make them not a professional?
Does that make them not a professional?
Sure they are not professional. Perhaps professional in other fields but not photography if they don't earn money doing photography.
Amateurs do not mean they are not good enough to be professional it just means they don't make money doing it (rather spend money to do it)
Mar 11, 2020 14:32:54 #
Mar 11, 2020 14:34:25 #
Stephan G wrote:
It's not a sure way. Actually it more likely a way to lose money. But if you do make money selling your equipment then you are certainly a professional. Professional Ebay seller.
Mar 11, 2020 14:37:35 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I would disagree. To me a professional is one who earns money doing it (I am not sure the definition of either simply earning some money or earn a living) but that's all. I don't think one has to have the skill or can produce quality work to be considered professional.
Interesting. How would you define a professional?
Mar 11, 2020 14:38:06 #
BebuLamar wrote:
It's not a sure way. Actually it more likely a way to lose money. But if you do make money selling your equipment then you are certainly a professional. Professional Ebay seller.
LOL
Mar 11, 2020 14:39:10 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Sure they are not professional. Perhaps professional in other fields but not photography if they don't earn money doing photography.
Amateurs do not mean they are not good enough to be professional it just means they don't make money doing it (rather spend money to do it)
Amateurs do not mean they are not good enough to be professional it just means they don't make money doing it (rather spend money to do it)
Good point.
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