Pro photographer designation
Jul 14, 2020 21:44:11 #
Hamltnblue
Loc: Springfield PA
Hello
I’m sure this has been discussed a few hundred times here but I have to ask.
In a recent Grad photographer thread someone posted a link that included the ability for pro photographers to sign up for work.
Are there credentials that establish a photographer as a pro? Maybe a certification process?
On the other hand is it as simple as obtaining a tax ID for a photog business?
I’m sure this has been discussed a few hundred times here but I have to ask.
In a recent Grad photographer thread someone posted a link that included the ability for pro photographers to sign up for work.
Are there credentials that establish a photographer as a pro? Maybe a certification process?
On the other hand is it as simple as obtaining a tax ID for a photog business?
Jul 14, 2020 22:05:39 #
Hamltnblue wrote:
Hello
I’m sure this has been discussed a few hundred times here but I have to ask.
In a recent Grad photographer thread someone posted a link that included the ability for pro photographers to sign up for work.
Are there credentials that establish a photographer as a pro? Maybe a certification process?
On the other hand is it as simple as obtaining a tax ID for a photog business?
I’m sure this has been discussed a few hundred times here but I have to ask.
In a recent Grad photographer thread someone posted a link that included the ability for pro photographers to sign up for work.
Are there credentials that establish a photographer as a pro? Maybe a certification process?
On the other hand is it as simple as obtaining a tax ID for a photog business?
If you provide a service or product for a fee you are a professional.
Jul 14, 2020 22:07:45 #
Hamltnblue wrote:
Hello
I’m sure this has been discussed a few hundred times here but I have to ask.
In a recent Grad photographer thread someone posted a link that included the ability for pro photographers to sign up for work.
Are there credentials that establish a photographer as a pro? Maybe a certification process?
On the other hand is it as simple as obtaining a tax ID for a photog business?
I’m sure this has been discussed a few hundred times here but I have to ask.
In a recent Grad photographer thread someone posted a link that included the ability for pro photographers to sign up for work.
Are there credentials that establish a photographer as a pro? Maybe a certification process?
On the other hand is it as simple as obtaining a tax ID for a photog business?
I don’t know the correct answer but as far as I’m concerned, if I ever charged money for my work, that would constitute a professional business opportunity. Never having charged money means I remain an amateur. And I don’t think once you go pro, you can ever return to the ranks of amateur. JMHO.
Jul 14, 2020 22:08:34 #
There are professional ethics of doing, saying, and acting in your chosen profession.
Jul 14, 2020 22:09:31 #
Hamltnblue wrote:
Hello
I’m sure this has been discussed a few hundred times here but I have to ask.
In a recent Grad photographer thread someone posted a link that included the ability for pro photographers to sign up for work.
Are there credentials that establish a photographer as a pro? Maybe a certification process?
On the other hand is it as simple as obtaining a tax ID for a photog business?
I’m sure this has been discussed a few hundred times here but I have to ask.
In a recent Grad photographer thread someone posted a link that included the ability for pro photographers to sign up for work.
Are there credentials that establish a photographer as a pro? Maybe a certification process?
On the other hand is it as simple as obtaining a tax ID for a photog business?
My understanding to be considered a "Pro" you need to earn over 50 percent of your income from photographs you create.
Jul 14, 2020 22:17:00 #
Fotoartist wrote:
There are professional ethics of doing, saying, and acting in your chosen profession.
True, but even a criminal could be a professional.
Jul 14, 2020 22:33:48 #
According to some of the venues around me, if you have a camera with a detachable lens, you are considered a professional.
Jul 14, 2020 22:34:49 #
Since I'm strictly an amateur and novice "photographer", if I can even call myself that, I will use my drumming as an example.
As mentioned above, I would say if a significant portion of your income is derived from a service that would constitute that title. I have been playing drums and performing for money for over 30 years, but the money I make doesn't even make up 10% of my income. Am I a very adept and experienced musician, heck yeah. Am I a professional musician, even as all of performances (2-6 per month) are paid? In my opinion no, I consider it a paying hobby, because it is not my primary income.
As mentioned above, I would say if a significant portion of your income is derived from a service that would constitute that title. I have been playing drums and performing for money for over 30 years, but the money I make doesn't even make up 10% of my income. Am I a very adept and experienced musician, heck yeah. Am I a professional musician, even as all of performances (2-6 per month) are paid? In my opinion no, I consider it a paying hobby, because it is not my primary income.
Jul 14, 2020 22:43:32 #
You need a city business license and a certificate to collect sales tax from the state department of revenue.
Jul 14, 2020 23:10:15 #
If you have taxable income from your photography the IRS considers you a "pro".
Realistically, if you need to have another job to pay your bill's? Then you are not yet a pro.
The world is FULL of wanna-be "pro" photographers who only shoot evenings and weekends because they have their "real job" to keep up with during regular hours!
Realistically, if you need to have another job to pay your bill's? Then you are not yet a pro.
The world is FULL of wanna-be "pro" photographers who only shoot evenings and weekends because they have their "real job" to keep up with during regular hours!
Jul 14, 2020 23:57:02 #
MT Shooter wrote:
If you have taxable income from your photography the IRS considers you a "pro".
Realistically, if you need to have another job to pay your bill's? Then you are not yet a pro.
The world is FULL of wanna-be "pro" photographers who only shoot evenings and weekends because they have their "real job" to keep up with during regular hours!
Realistically, if you need to have another job to pay your bill's? Then you are not yet a pro.
The world is FULL of wanna-be "pro" photographers who only shoot evenings and weekends because they have their "real job" to keep up with during regular hours!
And it all seems they have D3300s or T3is with a kit lens and shoot weddings for less than $500. Craigslist is full of them. You get what you pay for...
Jul 15, 2020 00:16:12 #
TriX wrote:
And it all seems they have D3300s or T3is with a kit lens and shoot weddings for less than $500. Craigslist is full of them. You get what you pay for...
You know you are getting what you pay for when they show up at the shoot in their McDonalds uniform!!!🤣🤣🤣
Jul 15, 2020 06:00:30 #
pmorin wrote:
True, but even a criminal could be a professional.
They are all that...
Jul 15, 2020 06:31:07 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Hamltnblue wrote:
Hello
I’m sure this has been discussed a few hundred times here but I have to ask.
In a recent Grad photographer thread someone posted a link that included the ability for pro photographers to sign up for work.
Are there credentials that establish a photographer as a pro? Maybe a certification process?
On the other hand is it as simple as obtaining a tax ID for a photog business?
I’m sure this has been discussed a few hundred times here but I have to ask.
In a recent Grad photographer thread someone posted a link that included the ability for pro photographers to sign up for work.
Are there credentials that establish a photographer as a pro? Maybe a certification process?
On the other hand is it as simple as obtaining a tax ID for a photog business?
When you make more than 50% of your income from photography, you are a professional photographer. When you make less than 50% of your income from photography you are an amateur.
Jul 15, 2020 07:24:28 #
Hamltnblue wrote:
Hello
I’m sure this has been discussed a few hundred times here but I have to ask.
In a recent Grad photographer thread someone posted a link that included the ability for pro photographers to sign up for work.
Are there credentials that establish a photographer as a pro? Maybe a certification process?
On the other hand is it as simple as obtaining a tax ID for a photog business?
I’m sure this has been discussed a few hundred times here but I have to ask.
In a recent Grad photographer thread someone posted a link that included the ability for pro photographers to sign up for work.
Are there credentials that establish a photographer as a pro? Maybe a certification process?
On the other hand is it as simple as obtaining a tax ID for a photog business?
Anyone can get a tax ID for a business. States love to collect revenue. To gain access to many venues and/or clients, you generally need press credentials or portfolios, and that can range from simply having an online blog to being able to produce a portfolio of recent work or at the very least a tear sheet tailored to the content you are expecting to shoot.
Professional Photographers of America has been attempting to promote itself as an organization that has a bona fide certification process, and has quality standards that must be met in order to achieve certification. To my konwledge this is a universally known or accepted criteria for getting work, and putting a bunch of initials of cert levels after your name has rarely provided a rationale for hiring a photographer. Most clients will hire based on reputation and examination of past work.
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