LCD

I've been 'the photographer', the 'official photographer' and I've had my travel and lodging expenses paid for my photography in exchange. Does that qualify me as a professional? Maybe I'm professionalesque, semi-pro, or pro-lite.

JhnMhn

The word amateur means someone who does something for the love of it. I can’t think of a better reason to do something. I have seen amatuer work that exceeds all but the best pro work. Having said that, professional photographers generally just do their photography, get paid, and don’t get too fussed about the title of professional while every one else gets all tangled up in discussions like this : > }

dornie

I would say my son is a professional photograher becase he has a four year B.S. degree in Photography from a recognized and certified college. He was also hired by a hospital as a medical photographer six years prior to his graduation and recently retired from the same institution after 40 years. Of course, he did all types of photography in Emergency and operating rooms, medical research and education, preparing slides for doctors lectures, public relations, in fact anything in the field of photography. He would also be accepted into as a professional witness in his field. His wife had taugh photography in H.S. and competed in photography competition and his son was sa wedding photographer on the side, but they were not consider professionals. So, like anyother profession you would have to follow the guidlines as set down by that profession.

GeneS Loc: Glendale,AZ

It is a label people give themselves when they think they are important or better than someone else.
If they were a real professional they would be licensed.

SMPhotography Loc: Pawleys Island, SC

This is a very "broad brush" statement and one that is to a great extent simply not true. I know plenty of "amateurs" who use basic or mid range camera equipment and take fantastic photos with them. They just do it as a hobby rather than as a source of income. At any time, several of them could take the plunge and start doing it professionally, but choose not to.

And you might be surprised to see many images at a very high level taken by people who use "cheap equipment". Put a Nikon D50 in the hands of a pro and a Nikon D6 in the hands of someone who doesn't have much knowledge and experience and look at the quality of the images. The camera is just a recording tool, whether it is an entry level camera or "all the bells and whistles" professional level camera. It is the person who is BEHIND the camera that makes all the difference.

SMPhotography Loc: Pawleys Island, SC

You do realize that there really is no photographer's "license" per se as an actual document right? Not that I have ever seen both as a professional photographer and friends with hundreds of other pro's over the years. There are, however, certifications as put forth through organizations like PPA, who I have been a member of for over 30 years, and state equivalents if they exist. They do indeed add to one's credentials and are a testament to their proficiency and ability to meet certain standards set forth by the organization. Now if they are running a bona fide business, they do need a BUSINESS license and a Federal and State tax ID number for income reporting if your state has state income tax (FL does not) and for sales tax reporting.

RightOnPhotography Loc: Quebec,QC

So funny, but, sadly, although true.

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

If you are actually a professional photographer and want to remain in business for a long time going forward, you need to be a good business person as well as a good artist and technician. Whenever this topic arises on the forum there are many valid opinions, however, there is little serious discussion about real, practical and viable business management and practices. There are many talented and capable photographers that know exactly what the are doing technically and artistically but fail miserably in business. The business mortality rate is photography and many other creative fields significant.

A business is doomed from the outset if it is ventured into without a serious business plan. There are all kinds of conversations here about competing with low-ball operators, weekend warriors, and amateurs or "professionals" that undersell their work just to take work away from their competitors. They are basing their prices on their "competitors" price list, many are arbitrarily undercutting to out-price the competition or over-pricing themselves so as to to "out-prestige" them. Even if the simply price-match their competition, they will eventually fail without a precise business plan, projections and strategies. This is because a price list and fee schedule have to be based on YOUR expenses, income requirements, overhead costs and costs of sales- not those of the guy or gal down the street or on the other side of town. When you operate your own business, you are your most valuable employee and you need to be paid enough to maintain your lifestyle and generate enough income to keep you your business in a state of liquidity.

Then there are the merchandising and promotional aspects of running a business which entails creating a highly marketable and high-quality product and service, understanding the socio-economic and buying habits of the community or industry you will potentially serve, possessing skills in salesmanship, networking, public relations, advertising methods, and media, garnering referral business from satisfied customers, and more. Just having a nice website and hanging out on social media just ain't gonna cut it. If all you want to do is shoot great pictures, as a professional, you will need a partner to look after your business affairs or staff to which you can delegate these responsibilities.

There is also lots of talk about clients who want everything for nothing, always want to go in cheap, and don't know anything about good photography. The fact is, the majority of folks are good consumers, savvy buyers, and have the money to buy upscale stuff, photography included if they are suitably impressed by and have confidence in the vendor. Think of it this way- not every consumer is necessarily art and photography savvy and well informed but everyone is surrounded by good photography every day- they go to the movies, watch television, read magazines, are bombarded with advertising images and many folks will recognize good imagery when the see it.

Most importantly, a professional photographer has to be an EDUCATOR and a good communicator- he or she must be able to educate their potential clients.

All of this comprises a business plan!

So many "photographers" complain that digital photography and cell phones have killed their business or have significantly messed up the industry! I look at it differently. All of these folks running around with good cameras and handy cellphones have kept good professionals on their game. This may sound harsh but if a person representing themself as a professional can't out-perform all the hobbyists and snapshooters, perhaps the should not be in the business. After all, why should anyone spend their hard-earned money on anything they can do themselves or just have a friend with a camera do the work. Nowadays, the pro has to deliver a superior product or service or they will fail.

Dennis833 Loc: Australia

When asked, What do you do I answer " I'm a landscape photographer"

BebuLamar

1. is not needed to be a great photographer. (professional or not).
2. not all professional photographers have these.
3. irrelevant.
4. is the only criteria to determine if one is a professional.

(Note: I always recommend beginners to start with manual mode. But an experienced photographer developed his/her own way of doing things).

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You are what your exposure mode says you are.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

Good one.

domcomm Loc: Denver, CO

Making money at it is only part of being a professional. It requires professional training, and turning out professional quality work, as well. It's a combination of all three.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Having professional-grade equipment, capturing in RAW and using the P-mode are known indications of a Professional Photographer.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I'd call him a professional, no doubt.