RolandDieter

Amateur or Professional? Is it in the eye of the shooter or in the eye of the beholder? Maybe the best answer lies in the question the shooter is asking or how in he/she/they/them/zie/zum/what/etc. want to be perceived.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

There are some amateurs whose work is better than some professionals. Just because you earn a living at photography doesn't mean your work is better than all amateurs. Success in professional photography sometimes has more to do with business and promotion acumen than photography expertise.

BebuLamar

So far nobody in this thread say being a professional you have to be better than an amateur.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Pros make money from their profession. The rest of us are just photographers. Some of us can produce professional looking photos, some can’t.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

The person I was replying to claimed to be able to tell a professional from an amateur by looking at their work. So he must think professionals are better than amateurs.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

My definition of PROFESSIONALISM is having a high level of skill and talent, being consistent and reliable, treating your clients with respect and honesty, and operating your business ethically. If you possess these attributes are capabilities AND do this for the major percentage of your income, you are a WORKING PROFESSIONAL. If you decide to retire, close your business, or whatever, you do not lose your skills, talents knowledge. You will be a professional to the day you die and will be remembered as such after you are dead!

That is the philosophical part of the equation. Legalities? different jurisdictions have different laws as to taxation etc. In some instances, if you are incorporated, you have to officially close down (dissolve) your company and surrender the charter. As for the revenue folks, as far as I know, they don't care how you derive your income as long as you file your tax return accurately and on time.

As for professionalism again. The argument for some is if you get paid for your services you are a "professional". My admittedly cynical view is that there are lots of "hacks" out there getting paid who are no true professionals as per the aforementioned definition. The are many amateurs who do first-class work. Y'all know what you are so why worry about LABELS?

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

Once a pro, always a pro!

BebuLamar

Thanks my bad. Possibly one can detect if a photo is made for the purpose of earning money or for the photograper's own enjoyment. Better nah.

EJMcD

Quite the contrary. "I" decide what "I" consider to be professional results regardless of who shoots it. My opinion of the finished product is all that matters...to me. My definition of professional is "good" not necessarily "better".

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Judging whether something meets your standard of "professional results" is different than being able to tell if a professional or an amateur shot it.

EJMcD

You don't understand my views but you're ok I'm ok.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I think it’s a meaningless distinction. If you’re doing it for payment it’s professional. If it’s for your own edification then it’s amateur. I don’t look at whether someone calls themselves pro or amateur. I look at their body of work. Even with the “pro” distinction it depends the kind of work they do. Somebody could be the world’s foremost wedding photographer, I’m not gonna pay them to shoot the Super Bowl. Same with a great wildlife photographer, but I might like seeing his shot of a superb owl.

EJMcD

Agreed, the finished product is all that matters.

stan0301 Loc: Colorado

Yes, if you cash the check you area pro - and it can't go back

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

You are a retired professional. Well, mostly/semi-retired since you do occasional jobs.