Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Interesting reply. Thanks.
Sometimes the pro.s charge a premium that makes them look a lot more 'pro' than they really are. Their customers think they are getting more for their money, just because that particular pro, charges more.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

I should also have mentioned that I have also seen professional photographers that are worth every single cent they are paid as well, and whose quality shines above any pack.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

In the "old" days a 'professional' was one who had been educated in his profession, not 'trained'. In photography that would mean the Brooks Institute, or, for Canadians, Ryerson Institute. NYIP gives certificates in "Professional Photography" (I have one) but in no way does that mean I am a professional. The meaning of "professional" has been completely watered down until it is meaningless. Firemen, policemen and janitors are now 'professionals'. All it means now is that they earn money at it. I mean, for Pete's sake you can buy a 'professional' vacuum cleaner, or buy a 'professional' wrench. I have sold a few prints at a nice profit but they were to people who saw them on my wall and asked it they could get copies. I have shot two weddings (never again) for family members as wedding gifts. I would never consider putting myself in the 'professional' straight jacket. I shoot what I want, when I want, where I want and the way I want. Just remember that practitioners of the 'world's oldest profession' are professionals too.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

That's the exact reason for my reply. The local pro. is the one who pointed out that another pro. charges sooooo much more. He wasn't complaining, just pointing out that the other one charges about four times as much for a setting. Nothing wrong with that, except that the cheaper one is maybe four times better at his craft.
Sometimes if you can't sell something, raise your price.
It's the American way. People think they're getting more for their money so they go with the more expensive......
I'm an enthusiast that could make a dollar taking pictures, maybe, but I agree with a previous reply that said, "it would take (most of) the fun out of it." Or something to that effect.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

'world's oldest profession' ?? Sheep herders??
I too, got suckered into doing a wedding for a close relative. Never again. I like the saying by another poster that said "the best thing you can suggest is for the 'Happy Couple' to hire a pro. Words of wisdom.

mechengvic Loc: SoCalo

How many of us would have no problem lugging 60 pounds of gear into a football stadium, standing around for 4 hours spraying and praying, getting knocked over by a millionaire 23 year old famous running back, ending up with exactly 2 good shots and making 1000$ a day...Pro/Shmo!!!

Where do I sign up?!?!? 😀

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

There is a bit of snobbishness among the crowd that derives income from their use of a camera. Truth be told - there are many - what I term fauxtographers - that make good incomes this way, but I would hardly call their wedding and even work more than taking snapshots with really expensive cameras. And I know many truly creative photographer/artists that can shoot rings around these bozos. So I am in your camp.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

Many pros would look upon 'amateurs' as their customers and their future. Criticism should be constructive and polite, or not made at all.

There is a lot of comment about 'amateurs' among pros, much of it concerned with the lack of understanding exhibited by an amateur interfering with a pro in pursuit of 'the shot' while the pro is trying to earn his living. Some wedding and event situations spring to mind.

There is also a reverse prejudice among non professional photographers with the sometime consensus that amateurs can produce results as good/better than pros. Amateurs can in some cases. The pro will be focussed generally on a specific field in which excellence is expected. In other fields that pro is just an amateur. I would perhaps not expect a pro wedding photographer to turn out better at wildlife work than a skilled amateur.

The pro is also being paid to get a result; the required result may not necessarily be an artistic perfectly composed shot. It is the shot that gets him paid. Reportage photography springs to mind.

We see a lot of amateurs at workshops. Many of them are competent and skilled, many of them are not. The pro job is to help the more skilled hone their knowledge, and to help the less skilled to achieve basic competence. We specifically do not make derisive comments even among ourselves. Even when we are faced with someone who believes their skills are somewhat in excess of their actual competence.

kolmogorov

Mac, I also enjoyed your answer. I have only been checking this site out for a few weeks, but am very impressed by the friendliness of almost everybody on here, as well as the genuine desire to help people at all skill levels. I would have responded to you directly, but this is much easier, and I figured that a general compliment to everybody couldn't hurt. The people on here are good people, and would be the first group that I would contact if I were ever to have a question, although that is not likely. A little point-and-shoot, plus my phone, now satisfy my photography needs. And my old Nikon was a lot to carry around. Thanks, everybody!

katbandit Loc: new york city

i like being called a photographer..doesn't matter if i am not considered a "pro"..like you i make a few dollars here and there with my skills..i used to be a pro when i was working for a studio and shooting weddings etc..that's when i got burnt out and sold all my gear at the time and decided not to ever shoot professionally again…now i do it more as a recreation ..i still have all my pro skills..but it's no longer my main income…the best part is that i enjoy it again..but amateur is not the right word to describe someone who excels in what they do…after all there are many talented people who have to work other jobs to feed their family ..not everyone can possibly make money at what they do best…look at the celebrities out there …many are famous but still have very little talent..
enjoy the fact that you love what you do and don't put a label on it…

Baz Loc: Peterborough UK

Got it in One !! The issue is not about pro / non pro, but about the person making the comment. When someone values your worth by if you are a pro or not, what is their value in life. Just smile and move on, show that you are a pro in where it matters - in life.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Photography is no different than any other trade. We have the same spectrum of tact or lack of tact, in Medicine, plumbing, police, etc. etc. Seems to me, it those people that have a problem and not you. don't let those ego maniacal dweebs bother you. On! On!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Generally speaking, people aren't very nice. Given the opportunity, they will attempt to rise by stepping on others. Just do what you want to do and try to ignore other people and what they say.

Atomicmechanic Loc: Corinth New York

Back in the day when being a pro photographer was my main income, I photographed a wedding every weekend, did school proms, portraits, and studio work. Never once did I belittle anyone else that had a camera. If someone at a wedding asked me a question about improving their work, I was always glad to give them a helping hand. No one knows everything, including me, and I'll be the first one who is still eager to learn, and that's at age 60. I am my own worst critic when it comes to my work, and I've seen a lot of snap shot work from so called pros. My advice to anyone is to pick up a camera, learn what all of the setting do, and take pictures. With the digital age it's now instant proof of your work, and you can make adjustments or recompose as needed. That being said, don't rely on digital enhancements on your computer, but rather take the best picture you are capable of and enjoy your work. Good luck and keep shooting, pictures, that is.

anotherview Loc: California

Well said.

I might add: Some photographers do photography for its own sake, while others do it primarily for money and notice -- quest versus job.