Pro photographer designation (Page 2): There are a lot of good answers here. It seems like you were asking if it is *worth the money* to get a certification. The general rule is:...

Low Budget Dave

There are a lot of good answers here. It seems like you were asking if it is *worth the money* to get a certification. The general rule is: "Don't spend money on anything that doesn't make more money than you spent on it."

If the designation comes with a built-in way to help market yourself, then maybe yes. If it is just a sticker that you can add to marketing that you have to do on your own, then maybe just keep that money and call it "profit".

The same rule can be applied to almost everything about your business. If you are looking at new equipment, for example, will it make MORE money than the equipment cost, or LESS money than the equipment cost? (And even if it helps you make money, will you have made the money anyway?)

I met a photographer once who had some nice lighting gear. My guess is that he carried around about $2000 in studio strobes, reflectors and so on. His cameras, on the other hand, were older models that you could pick up for about $100.

His reasoning was simple: He only bought equipment that increased his net profit.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The quality of one's photographs is the credential they need.

All one has to do is go to https://youarenotaphotographer.com/ to see the quality of photographs produced by so called photographers. As they state on the site, "You can't buy talent."

There are a lot of fauxtographers out there.
--Bob

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?

aellman Loc: Boston MA

pmorin wrote:

If you provide a service or product for a fee you are a professional.

In fact, anyone can call themselves a "professional," regardless of their knowledge, experience, or demonstrated ability.

I think I'll have business cards made up reading "Alan Richards, Professional Photographer." Then I can add "Weddings and Portraits: Adults, Family Groups, Children, and Pets; Social Events, astrophotography, drone aerial photography, and underwater photography. "If I don't do it, you don't need it." Who's going to argue?

That's why there are at least a couple of cautionary expressions:
"Buyer beware" and "Buyer's remorse."

Best friends. Newton, MA. 2018. Sony a350. Kit lens.

(Download)

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

According to the competition rules of the Indiana State Fair photography contest (with which I vehemently disagree), anyone who has ever accepted payment for any photograph is deemed to be a professional.

marycar53 Loc: Tuscumbia Al

I'm self taught and volunteer at a lot of the festival events in the Muscle Shoals AL area. That's basically how I learned by taking a lot of shots, and asking photographers that I liked their work about settings they used in certain situations. While doing this, I worked full time in a medical center laboratory before retiring after 42 yrs.
Recently I had entered a Heritage area photography contest and won several categories. The next year they divided it into an amateur and professional category and said that I had to go into the professional group because I had been published. I was blogging for GRIT Magazine at the time, but it wasn't a paid position.
Another guy who had previously worked at a newspaper had Journalism/photography degree was allowed to be in the amateur division.

Dannj

PixelStan77 wrote:

My understanding to be considered a "Pro" you need to earn over 50 percent of your income from photographs you create.

Interesting. Does that apply to writers, artists, actors, etc. as well?

Dannj

Vietnam Vet wrote:

You need a city business license and a certificate to collect sales tax from the state department of revenue.

Doesn’t that apply to all businesses?

14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

Greer wrote:

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.

I ruined a good (hobby), took it to the next level ( pro ). Built a studio, bought much equipment, worked at it for 25 years. Retired from the business and am now taking back my ( Hobby). I belong to 2 photo clubs and shoot for my own pleasure. For me, "Yes you can go back".

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Low Budget Dave wrote:

There are a lot of good answers here. It seems li... (show quote)

PPA says pay dues and you are a pro.

fotoman150

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 have always thought that if you charge money for your work, have a website, have a separate phone number for your business, register a name and sole proprietorship or other entity, and pay taxes on your business that makes you a professional.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

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?

Join the PPA and the local affiliate of the PPA and work toward a CPP designation.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Greer wrote:

.... And I don’t think once you go pro, you can ever return to the ranks of amateur. JMHO.

I disagree.

I was once a professional photographer. I retired from that business in 1957 when I graduated from High School. I am now definitely an amateur. (In all senses of the word).

distill Loc: Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire UK

A pro gets paid for services rendered

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

rmalarz wrote:

The quality of one's photographs is the credential they need.

All one has to do is go to https://youarenotaphotographer.com/ to see the quality of photographs produced by so called photographers. As they state on the site, "You can't buy talent."

There are a lot of fauxtographers out there.
--Bob

For sure. If I represented myself as a professional photographer I’d be subjecting myself to accusations of fraud.

Stan

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

How about me? I'm a part time pro. I'm retired (88) shoot for a newspaper and regularly see pictures thru a store and direct.