What makes you a Professional?
Mar 11, 2020 14:41:23 #
Bill_de wrote:
You know you are a professional when your Uncle Sam has his hand out for a share of the profits. 
--
--
My last years tax form will agree with that.
Mar 11, 2020 14:43:05 #
Mar 11, 2020 16:27:44 #
Richard1947 wrote:
My last years tax form will agree with that.
If the person is in the USA then yeah my definition goes with the IRS. If they think you should pay tax for then you are a professional.
Mar 11, 2020 18:34:48 #
An old question, perhaps still a good question. Problem is- do y'all want an etymological or semantic answer, as per the dictionary, thesaurus, a lexicon or a realistic common-sense definition.
For me, professionalism connotes a level of superior skill, knowledge, performance, and ethical conduct applied to one's vocation. Of course, professionals get paid but to be considered truly professional, in the optimal sense of the word, one must provide good value and superior products and services to their clients for the remuneration they receive. This should apply to all professions, trades, and service providers- in a perfect word.
In all jurisdictions in North America, there are no government standards or licensing requirements for anyone to represent themselves as a professional photographer. There are some credentials issued by established professional photographic associations and organizations- masterships and other qualifications but membership and affiliation are voluntary. Each professional photographer, therefore, is self-policing, and his or her reputation and following are dependant on their performance.
Realistically, even those professions or trades with certain qualifications and licensing can include folks that are unprofessional, incompetent and commit malpractice- they too are paid but hopefully their success will be short-lived.
If getting paid and paying taxes is the all-encompassing definition of professionalism, I've been working too hard and knocking myself out for the last 56 years! If it's all about the money, the job will be very uninspired. Professionalism, however, also includes good profitable business management so the professional can support themselves and their families, pay their employees and suppliers, and remain in business to serve their customers.
For me, professionalism connotes a level of superior skill, knowledge, performance, and ethical conduct applied to one's vocation. Of course, professionals get paid but to be considered truly professional, in the optimal sense of the word, one must provide good value and superior products and services to their clients for the remuneration they receive. This should apply to all professions, trades, and service providers- in a perfect word.
In all jurisdictions in North America, there are no government standards or licensing requirements for anyone to represent themselves as a professional photographer. There are some credentials issued by established professional photographic associations and organizations- masterships and other qualifications but membership and affiliation are voluntary. Each professional photographer, therefore, is self-policing, and his or her reputation and following are dependant on their performance.
Realistically, even those professions or trades with certain qualifications and licensing can include folks that are unprofessional, incompetent and commit malpractice- they too are paid but hopefully their success will be short-lived.
If getting paid and paying taxes is the all-encompassing definition of professionalism, I've been working too hard and knocking myself out for the last 56 years! If it's all about the money, the job will be very uninspired. Professionalism, however, also includes good profitable business management so the professional can support themselves and their families, pay their employees and suppliers, and remain in business to serve their customers.
Mar 11, 2020 19:18:25 #
So what are the people
amateur > IN-BETWEEN < professional
called?
----------------------------
BTW - We're all right:
Def# 1: following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain.
Def# 5: following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged in as a pastime.
Def# 9: expert.
Def # 13: a person who is expert at his work.
But who's nit-picking.
amateur > IN-BETWEEN < professional
called?
----------------------------
BTW - We're all right:
Def# 1: following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain.
Def# 5: following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged in as a pastime.
Def# 9: expert.
Def # 13: a person who is expert at his work.
But who's nit-picking.
Mar 11, 2020 19:43:02 #
Richard1947 wrote:
Very good post. I personally feel that a professi... (show quote)
Not all professional photographers are particularly skilled photographers. For example, the photographer at a typical licensing center. Technically, a professional photographer. But not necessarily a good or artistic one, as the job demands neither. And there are many other professional photography jobs which require only very basic, minimal skills with the camera.
Mar 11, 2020 19:43:32 #
rook2c4 wrote:
Not all professional photographers are particularly skilled photographers. For example, the photographer at a typical licensing center. Technically, a professional photographer. But not necessarily a good or artistic one, as the job demands neither. And there are many other professional photography jobs which require only very basic, minimal skills with the camera.
More like a snap-shooter.
Mar 11, 2020 19:52:53 #
Longshadow wrote:
More like a snap-shooter.
More like a snap-shooter.
A "professional snap-shooter".
Mar 11, 2020 19:55:39 #
Mar 11, 2020 20:07:35 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
If people envy your gear, that's worth something, isn't it?
Wow, he must be a professional!<perception>
Mar 11, 2020 21:05:29 #
rook2c4 wrote:
Not all professional photographers are particularly skilled photographers. For example, the photographer at a typical licensing center. Technically, a professional photographer. But not necessarily a good or artistic one, as the job demands neither. And there are many other professional photography jobs which require only very basic, minimal skills with the camera.
I seriously doubt of theses licensing facilities employ professional photographers. At motor vehicle bureaus and other such offices, photographs for driver licenses, ID cards, and other documents are made with specialized fixed cameras that are operated by the clerical staff- the specification of "photographer" is not their job description. Folks that operate the office copy machine are not necessarily lithographers or desktop publishers- the are appliance operators!
Mar 11, 2020 23:03:41 #
Stephan G wrote:
Whenever a finger is pointed, there are three that... (show quote)
School teacher here (subspecies-retired) I used to tell my students that "Professional" meant you did something for a living and got paid - period. Some pros are outstanding, some are just adequate and others not very good at all. Many really talented and practiced amateurs are as good or better than all but the absolute best pros - but they do it as a hobby because they love it, not to make a living.
Mar 12, 2020 05:37:44 #
Richard1947 wrote:
Very good post. I personally feel that a professi... (show quote)
Well done on your achievements!
While owning a smartphone doesn't make one a professional, it is also true, owning multiple DSLR bodies and lenses doesn't make one a professional either.
Mar 12, 2020 05:45:35 #
Well a professional athlete is one that gets paid, a lot of them certainly don’t act professional!
In fact I can think of a few contractors I’ve dealt with over the years (getting paid) that didn’t act “professional”.
I’m a full time police officer, I know a bunch of those that don’t act professional either.
Maybe it isn’t just about if you can get paid for it... being a professional, and acting professional aren’t necessarily the same thing I guess!
That said, Uncle Sam takes part of my photography profits, and I try to act professional with my clients too! 😎
In fact I can think of a few contractors I’ve dealt with over the years (getting paid) that didn’t act “professional”.
I’m a full time police officer, I know a bunch of those that don’t act professional either.
Maybe it isn’t just about if you can get paid for it... being a professional, and acting professional aren’t necessarily the same thing I guess!
That said, Uncle Sam takes part of my photography profits, and I try to act professional with my clients too! 😎
Mar 12, 2020 05:50:25 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.