Being Professional
Feb 28, 2012 10:12:48 #
CaptainC wrote:
Damn proud to be a 1%-er.
Nikonian72 wrote:
99% of the people mentioned above have "day jobs". Owning the equipment, or even having the proper head knowledge, does not a professional make.
99% of the people mentioned above have "day jobs". Owning the equipment, or even having the proper head knowledge, does not a professional make.
Damn proud to be a 1%-er.
Cliff,
Glad I was not sipping my coffee, great line and a good laugh.
George
Feb 28, 2012 10:14:15 #
C. David wrote:
I take pix for fun. When someone pays me for the images I capture it's a bonus. If anyone asks me to go to a function to take pix for them, and pay me for having fun,it's a double bonus: They've seen my pix before and want me to capture the event. Pro? Who knows. Money has nothing to do with it.I'm sure we all take pix for one reason..to see people smile. :-D :-D
Well said
Feb 28, 2012 10:16:31 #
To add to the discussion.
What about a photographer who consistantly produces professional quality work but doesn't have their work up for sale?
What about a photographer who consistantly produces professional quality work but doesn't have their work up for sale?
Feb 28, 2012 10:20:29 #
Brucej67 wrote:
I have been selling pictures I took since 1965; ho... (show quote)
Bruce,
And because of that schooling you learned more about photography than most. I also started selling my photos all the way back to 59, my first sold photo was a Ocean White Tip Shark. My parents moved and all my early photos were in a box that got lost when they moved to Florida. There are amateurs on this site that rival some of the best pros I have seen. I make my living selling my photos, big deal, I bet there are many on here that would be able to do the same, Pro is nice but then again just a title. Acting like one is more important.
George
Feb 28, 2012 10:27:26 #
Roger Hicks wrote:
Even with an egregious example like this, it's not 100% the photographer's fault. The person who hired him presumably did no research at all, and also failed to communicate with the photographer.
Cheers,
R.
Georgia Peddler wrote:
Finally, someone sternly suggested to him what would be really appreciated, etc. and he was "offended" and left.
Even with an egregious example like this, it's not 100% the photographer's fault. The person who hired him presumably did no research at all, and also failed to communicate with the photographer.
Cheers,
R.
Roger,
I agree to a point, I often shoot Black Tie events in the Waldorf or other high end Hotels in NYC. Black Tie even includes me, I have more than one dinner jacket. I do not absolve the photographer, he sounds like he did not do his homework. He got offended because someone made a suggestion, ah I feel sorry for him. This person should have never been hired in the first place, and yes I do blame that person for doing so.
George
Feb 28, 2012 10:43:44 #
simplypictures wrote:
quote=C. David I take pix for fun. When someone p... (show quote)
Getting paid is the bonus. Having people ask you, or call you to take pix is all nice and good. It inflates the ego, and most people want to feel important. I just want to take pix. Memories are all we're capturing. I believe that's what it's all about. Memories.
Feb 28, 2012 10:51:10 #
photoshopmikey wrote:
I guess it depends on how old you are. I was riding the train last week, and two guys were taking pictures with an iphone with some weird looking eye piece attached to it, they were in awe of the shots they had taken trough the window. One said O.M.G. these are Freakin awesome, I am going to city hall and see if i can get a permit to go pro.I said to myself man am i getting old.
Well, we all knew this would happen. Now idiots from all over will think they're pro's. I give up.
Feb 28, 2012 10:53:59 #
George, I totally agree with your point of view "Pro is nice but then again just a title. Acting like one is more important". I would also add that one of the items that make a photographer a pro is consistently providing his clients with quality photography that his clients are pleased with.
George H wrote:
quote=Brucej67 I have been selling pictures I too... (show quote)
Feb 28, 2012 11:07:39 #
Judddude
Loc: Missouri
It seems that lately, some people think that buying a used Rebel off of craigslist, then buying Photoshop Elements at Walmart and selling a pic for $2.00 makes them a professional.
Feb 28, 2012 11:12:34 #
gregoryalanmccorkle
Loc: Seattle, Washington
Pepper wrote:
The problem is that because no license in required anyone can label himself a professional. No checks and balances lead to a good many problems and issues as you can consistently read on this forum. I dont have the answer but its pretty much a buyer beware field. I do think its too bad that the real professionals dont have any way to protect or control their profession.
I would say a business license is required. That would by default work as you'd have to show a substantial profit after a few years to satisfy the IRS.
Feb 28, 2012 11:19:30 #
gregoryalanmccorkle
Loc: Seattle, Washington
Jer wrote:
To add to the discussion.
What about a photographer who consistantly produces professional quality work but doesn't have their work up for sale?
What about a photographer who consistantly produces professional quality work but doesn't have their work up for sale?
In any avocation being a pro means you make your living at it.
Feb 28, 2012 12:05:47 #
Roger Hicks
Loc: Aquitaine
Jer wrote:
To add to the discussion.
What about a photographer who consistantly produces professional quality work but doesn't have their work up for sale?
What about a photographer who consistantly produces professional quality work but doesn't have their work up for sale?
Well, really, what about 'em? Many amateurs are indeed better than many professionals, but that's a question of skill, not being a professional. In my book, 'professional photographer' means you get paid for it. Even then, "doing a little professional photography" while doing something else for a day job is not the same as being a professional photographer, even though you need to act professionally.
Ultimately, who cares? Anyone can label themselves anything they want. There are famously plenty of people who think they're Napoleon. Are they Napoleon? No.
Cheers,
R.
Feb 28, 2012 12:06:44 #
Regardless what your definition of a pro is, I generally don't appeal to authority. The proof is in the pudding, as it were.
I recently had major surgery. Before deciding on a surgeon, I asked a few simple questions. Two of them were, "how often have you done this type of surgery" and "of those surgeries, how many of your patients are alive and well today". Frankly, I don't really care how many degrees they have on the wall. Practice still makes perfect, in my opinion.
There is a reason it's called practicing medicine? Getting a medical degree is only the start. I think photography is similar. Show me your work, and then I will decide if I'm ready to hand you my money. Calling yourself a pro means nothing to me.
I recently had major surgery. Before deciding on a surgeon, I asked a few simple questions. Two of them were, "how often have you done this type of surgery" and "of those surgeries, how many of your patients are alive and well today". Frankly, I don't really care how many degrees they have on the wall. Practice still makes perfect, in my opinion.
There is a reason it's called practicing medicine? Getting a medical degree is only the start. I think photography is similar. Show me your work, and then I will decide if I'm ready to hand you my money. Calling yourself a pro means nothing to me.
Feb 28, 2012 12:09:19 #
Roger Hicks
Loc: Aquitaine
gregoryalanmccorkle wrote:
I would say a business license is required. That would by default work as you'd have to show a substantial profit after a few years to satisfy the IRS.
Not really. Photojournalists don't need 'em. Or wildlife photographers. Or...
And no, it doesn't have to be a 'substantial' profit. Just about any profit will do, as long as you clearly aren't subsidizing a hobby under the pretense that it's a business.
At least, all this is true of any jurisdiction I know about.
Cheers,
R.
Feb 28, 2012 12:11:24 #
Roger Hicks
Loc: Aquitaine
mdorn wrote:
Show me your work, and then I will decide if I'm ready to hand you my money. Calling yourself a pro means nothing to me.
Exactly. But I'd add "and it's likely we'll all be happier if we get on with one another." Anyone who's got a big chip on their shoulder about being A Pro is probably someone I don't want to deal with.
Cheers,
R.
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