What is a professional photographer
Jun 11, 2017 16:03:55 #
pstar wrote:
Probably will tick lots of you off . Just cuz you get paid or have thousands in pro equipment or been to school don't make you a pro . Your ability to access a situation and make the right decision to properly expose a photo is what separates amature from professional now don't cook me too hard cuz this is my opinion of a pro . And believe me after 29 years I am still learning so smile when I an voting for F
Don't dismiss spelling and communication skills. Very important.
Jun 11, 2017 16:09:52 #
crazydaddio wrote:
A) Someone who gets paid by ( a non-relative :-)
B) Photography is main source of income
C) Is registered as such...
D) Has taken course and has madskillz workflow
E) Some/all of the above
F) other criteria
Probably been debated before but it keeps coming up in my circle of pro/semi-pro/enthusiast/wannabe friends.
My answer leans toward A) or B)
B) Photography is main source of income
C) Is registered as such...
D) Has taken course and has madskillz workflow
E) Some/all of the above
F) other criteria
Probably been debated before but it keeps coming up in my circle of pro/semi-pro/enthusiast/wannabe friends.
My answer leans toward A) or B)
Yep, easy to answer: Somebody that makes a living doing it!
Jun 11, 2017 16:30:39 #
For those who are not familiar with me, let me start off by saying that I am a full-time professional photographer and have been for all of my adult life. I am 73 years old and still practicing/working. This status does not make me some sort of superior being in the photography word nor does it AUTOMATICALLY endow me with any particular higher level of talent or artistry. Nor does this station in life grant me the right or the inclination to negatively criticize anyone who does photography strictly as a means of self expression, to record family events or purely as a fun hobby. I'm fine will all of that and I do it myself when I have some spare time- the preverbal busman's holiday! Just ask my lovely wife!
I must also say, however, that I have “earned my stripes” and credentials in the profession through lots of hard work and long hours, tough mentoring and apprenticeship, formal education, dedication, consistency, and a never-ending thirst for learning and improvement. I have been fortunate enough to be able to earn my livelihood through my chosen profession but I can tell y'all that the financial success is directly proportional to the the degree of continuous hard work and effort. Especially, nowadays, in our current business environment, photography is NOT a BUSINESS for the faint of heart or for the lackadaisical individual.
Whenever this amateur/enthusiast/pro or whatever term you prefer, issue arises, on forums or conversations, there is allot of semantics, dictionary destinations and hyperbole. Yes, it may be a hackneyed and old question but nonetheless it's a valid one, perhaps more so to the newcomers to forums, the hobby or the profession. So, for what it's worth, here's my take on the matter.
One word I like to define or opine on is “PROFESSIONALISM”. To me, that means the expectations, on the part of the public, of quality, performance, competence and ethical business practices, of folks who represent themselves as PROFESSIONALS. OK, granted, that is all very idealistic and in the real world we know that in all professions, trades and jobs, there are the good, the bad and the ugly. In the health, legal and building professions there are specific licensing standards. In certain justifications, one needs to pass a “food handling” course and exam to get a job flipping burgers. In most jurisdictions in North America, there is no specific licensing requirement for or competency standards in professional photography. Membership in any of the professional associations is strictly voluntary and although some of theses organizations have codes of ethics and can award masterships to qualified members, they have no sanctioning or regulatory powers. Professional photographers are governed by the same taxation and consumer protections laws like any other retail or service business so the consumers and the photographers, legally and morally speaking, are all out there on their own. So... in a perfect world, may the buyers BEWARE and the professional photographers BEHAVE in a really PROFESSIONAL manner!
Y'all know the old joke "What do the call the doctor who finished last in his class a medical school? The answer: DOCTOR"!
Yes again, there are so-called pros who are hacks and can be outdone by any talented amateur, at least as to artistry and creativity. Truth is, however, over the long term, the hacks don't survive in today's marketplace. What with today's digital technology, the average consumer can make DECENT enough images with their cell phone devices, let alone modern DSLRs and mirror-less cameras. Why should they spend their hard-earned money on mediocre photography? When folks or businesses are in the market for fine portraiture, exceptional wedding or event coverage, solid commercial or industrial photography, they expect something of outstanding quality- something they can not replicate or do by themselves- or have Uncle Oscar do- even if he has some impressive cameras!
So...you may ask, what are the actual traits, skills or philosophies that separate the true professionals from the amateurs or casual photographers- besides the obvious technical and aesthetic savvies? Here's my stuff- the things that I teach at seminars and training sessions.
Creativity and performance on DEMAND: I'll admit it, photography is my HOBBY too! I like to travel in the countryside and make some landscape shots, shoot some cute photos of the grandchildren and fool around with all the photo-apps on my cell phone, It's nice to get creative when I am in the mood. When photography is you full-time day job you (or I) must perform regardless of your mood. Most assignments are time sensitive with production demands and deadlines. You may wake up in the morning with a headache and feel as creative as a doorknob. You may go to your studio, only to realize that you first job of the day IS photographing a chrome plated door knob- not very inspiring or glamorous- like a pretty fashion model or an interesting theatrical portrait! The customer is the guy who manufactures that doorknob and thinks it is God's gift to the hardware industry! And you gotta conjure up the creativity, the energy and the technical know-how to make that thing look like it came right out of the space age and "pop off the page"! Oh- and the client needed the image at the printers “YESTERDAY”! Yes! he, the client, per-purchased 30 grand worth of adverting in a builder's architectural journal and the art director is there too- and he has his own ideas! Now, I'm not complaining- I love the challenges and this is not a made up story and it is indicative of lots of what goes on in the industry. Professional photography is oftentimes 75% problem solving and defeating Murphy's Law. Oh- again- we do get to photograph pretty models and cool architecture and lots of good stuff- but not every day!
Sure, perhaps some amateurs can outperform the odd pro in certain circumstances put the pro does not have the convenience of time, the opportunity to re-do unsuccessful shoots or just chalk the up to “experience” or trial and error and go onto something else. The pro's reputation is sometimes only as good as his or her last successful assignment. When success is equated with “bread on the table” you are working in a different realm from that of the hobbyist and the pressures are far more pronounced so extreme patience, superior and diplomatic people skills and coping mechanisms are mandatory! The guy with the doorknob write the checks!
My first boss and mentor used to say that the the difference between a professional and an advanced amateur is that the amateur has a fairly good idea as to what his results are gonna be like whereas the pro knows exactly what is gonna be on the film before he releases the shutter. Now, I gotta tell you- that's a pretty tall order but this is what I always strive for- right up to the finished print, that is per-visualization. I feel this is an important part of professionalism and it only comes with experience, practice, continual learning and when failure does occur, intense and on the spot trouble shooting is essential. Ego must be put aside and we MUST learn from our mistakes. Of course digital technology does make things easier nowadays! Excessive editing time, due to poor file quality, is not cost or efficiency effective, so the production of consistently good raw files are essential for smooth and timely production. Tight control over exposure, contrast, lighting ratios and composition minimizes computer time.
Oftentimes at assignments there are all those other folks that I getting paid by the client or the agency. They are professional models, food stylists, makeup and hair folks, set carpenters or interior decorators. The shots have to be spot on and "under our belts" before we break down the set and sen everyone home. Reassembling such a crew is expensive and can be disastrous as to making deadlines. We just have to know exactly what we are doing. The same types of pressures exist on weddings and press assignments- there are no opportunities for re-shoots!
As if all of these technical and procedural stuff is not enough, there is the issue of business management. Even for those of you who feel that the definition of a professional photographer is strictly based on the concept that he or she gets paid for their services, GETTING PAID and all the stuff that leads up to it, besides having a great marketable product, is a science and a job in itself. No business will succeed without a solid business and marketing plan regardless how great or superior the product is! I hate to admit it, but I have seen some pretty mediocre photography, out there in the world, that has proven profitable because of a good marketing plan. It boils down to the fact that not every consumer is an aficionado of fine art or photography and will accept a half-way decent product if it ain't too expensive. It also depends on the level of competition in any given geographic area and a whole bunch of variable socioeconomic conditions. My experience is in a a fairly affluent to middle class urban environment and as I alluded to, the hacks, especially the dishonest ones, eventually fall by the wayside and the honest middle of the road folks and the really good and talented guys and gals prevail.
I hold no animosity or resentment toward part-time professionals. I just encourage them to BE PROFESSIONAL when they are out on the job. I know allot of guys and gals who do wedding photography (the weekend warriors) and do a bang up great job because they preform in a totally professional manner and take their work very seriously. I have trained allot of talented serious amateurs who eventually became full-time pros. I have learned that you can't teach “talent” you can only encourage talented people and help them develop their talents by teaching them technical skills and furnishing them with the required “tools”.
I hope this helps in answering part of the question. Kindest regards,
Ed
I must also say, however, that I have “earned my stripes” and credentials in the profession through lots of hard work and long hours, tough mentoring and apprenticeship, formal education, dedication, consistency, and a never-ending thirst for learning and improvement. I have been fortunate enough to be able to earn my livelihood through my chosen profession but I can tell y'all that the financial success is directly proportional to the the degree of continuous hard work and effort. Especially, nowadays, in our current business environment, photography is NOT a BUSINESS for the faint of heart or for the lackadaisical individual.
Whenever this amateur/enthusiast/pro or whatever term you prefer, issue arises, on forums or conversations, there is allot of semantics, dictionary destinations and hyperbole. Yes, it may be a hackneyed and old question but nonetheless it's a valid one, perhaps more so to the newcomers to forums, the hobby or the profession. So, for what it's worth, here's my take on the matter.
One word I like to define or opine on is “PROFESSIONALISM”. To me, that means the expectations, on the part of the public, of quality, performance, competence and ethical business practices, of folks who represent themselves as PROFESSIONALS. OK, granted, that is all very idealistic and in the real world we know that in all professions, trades and jobs, there are the good, the bad and the ugly. In the health, legal and building professions there are specific licensing standards. In certain justifications, one needs to pass a “food handling” course and exam to get a job flipping burgers. In most jurisdictions in North America, there is no specific licensing requirement for or competency standards in professional photography. Membership in any of the professional associations is strictly voluntary and although some of theses organizations have codes of ethics and can award masterships to qualified members, they have no sanctioning or regulatory powers. Professional photographers are governed by the same taxation and consumer protections laws like any other retail or service business so the consumers and the photographers, legally and morally speaking, are all out there on their own. So... in a perfect world, may the buyers BEWARE and the professional photographers BEHAVE in a really PROFESSIONAL manner!
Y'all know the old joke "What do the call the doctor who finished last in his class a medical school? The answer: DOCTOR"!
Yes again, there are so-called pros who are hacks and can be outdone by any talented amateur, at least as to artistry and creativity. Truth is, however, over the long term, the hacks don't survive in today's marketplace. What with today's digital technology, the average consumer can make DECENT enough images with their cell phone devices, let alone modern DSLRs and mirror-less cameras. Why should they spend their hard-earned money on mediocre photography? When folks or businesses are in the market for fine portraiture, exceptional wedding or event coverage, solid commercial or industrial photography, they expect something of outstanding quality- something they can not replicate or do by themselves- or have Uncle Oscar do- even if he has some impressive cameras!
So...you may ask, what are the actual traits, skills or philosophies that separate the true professionals from the amateurs or casual photographers- besides the obvious technical and aesthetic savvies? Here's my stuff- the things that I teach at seminars and training sessions.
Creativity and performance on DEMAND: I'll admit it, photography is my HOBBY too! I like to travel in the countryside and make some landscape shots, shoot some cute photos of the grandchildren and fool around with all the photo-apps on my cell phone, It's nice to get creative when I am in the mood. When photography is you full-time day job you (or I) must perform regardless of your mood. Most assignments are time sensitive with production demands and deadlines. You may wake up in the morning with a headache and feel as creative as a doorknob. You may go to your studio, only to realize that you first job of the day IS photographing a chrome plated door knob- not very inspiring or glamorous- like a pretty fashion model or an interesting theatrical portrait! The customer is the guy who manufactures that doorknob and thinks it is God's gift to the hardware industry! And you gotta conjure up the creativity, the energy and the technical know-how to make that thing look like it came right out of the space age and "pop off the page"! Oh- and the client needed the image at the printers “YESTERDAY”! Yes! he, the client, per-purchased 30 grand worth of adverting in a builder's architectural journal and the art director is there too- and he has his own ideas! Now, I'm not complaining- I love the challenges and this is not a made up story and it is indicative of lots of what goes on in the industry. Professional photography is oftentimes 75% problem solving and defeating Murphy's Law. Oh- again- we do get to photograph pretty models and cool architecture and lots of good stuff- but not every day!
Sure, perhaps some amateurs can outperform the odd pro in certain circumstances put the pro does not have the convenience of time, the opportunity to re-do unsuccessful shoots or just chalk the up to “experience” or trial and error and go onto something else. The pro's reputation is sometimes only as good as his or her last successful assignment. When success is equated with “bread on the table” you are working in a different realm from that of the hobbyist and the pressures are far more pronounced so extreme patience, superior and diplomatic people skills and coping mechanisms are mandatory! The guy with the doorknob write the checks!
My first boss and mentor used to say that the the difference between a professional and an advanced amateur is that the amateur has a fairly good idea as to what his results are gonna be like whereas the pro knows exactly what is gonna be on the film before he releases the shutter. Now, I gotta tell you- that's a pretty tall order but this is what I always strive for- right up to the finished print, that is per-visualization. I feel this is an important part of professionalism and it only comes with experience, practice, continual learning and when failure does occur, intense and on the spot trouble shooting is essential. Ego must be put aside and we MUST learn from our mistakes. Of course digital technology does make things easier nowadays! Excessive editing time, due to poor file quality, is not cost or efficiency effective, so the production of consistently good raw files are essential for smooth and timely production. Tight control over exposure, contrast, lighting ratios and composition minimizes computer time.
Oftentimes at assignments there are all those other folks that I getting paid by the client or the agency. They are professional models, food stylists, makeup and hair folks, set carpenters or interior decorators. The shots have to be spot on and "under our belts" before we break down the set and sen everyone home. Reassembling such a crew is expensive and can be disastrous as to making deadlines. We just have to know exactly what we are doing. The same types of pressures exist on weddings and press assignments- there are no opportunities for re-shoots!
As if all of these technical and procedural stuff is not enough, there is the issue of business management. Even for those of you who feel that the definition of a professional photographer is strictly based on the concept that he or she gets paid for their services, GETTING PAID and all the stuff that leads up to it, besides having a great marketable product, is a science and a job in itself. No business will succeed without a solid business and marketing plan regardless how great or superior the product is! I hate to admit it, but I have seen some pretty mediocre photography, out there in the world, that has proven profitable because of a good marketing plan. It boils down to the fact that not every consumer is an aficionado of fine art or photography and will accept a half-way decent product if it ain't too expensive. It also depends on the level of competition in any given geographic area and a whole bunch of variable socioeconomic conditions. My experience is in a a fairly affluent to middle class urban environment and as I alluded to, the hacks, especially the dishonest ones, eventually fall by the wayside and the honest middle of the road folks and the really good and talented guys and gals prevail.
I hold no animosity or resentment toward part-time professionals. I just encourage them to BE PROFESSIONAL when they are out on the job. I know allot of guys and gals who do wedding photography (the weekend warriors) and do a bang up great job because they preform in a totally professional manner and take their work very seriously. I have trained allot of talented serious amateurs who eventually became full-time pros. I have learned that you can't teach “talent” you can only encourage talented people and help them develop their talents by teaching them technical skills and furnishing them with the required “tools”.
I hope this helps in answering part of the question. Kindest regards,
Ed
Jun 11, 2017 16:31:52 #
Jun 11, 2017 17:01:07 #
Jun 11, 2017 17:39:12 #
pstar wrote:
Probably will tick lots of you off . Just cuz you get paid or have thousands in pro equipment or been to school don't make you a pro . Your ability to access a situation and make the right decision to properly expose a photo is what separates amature from professional now don't cook me too hard cuz this is my opinion of a pro . And believe me after 29 years I am still learning so smile when I an voting for F
You are so correct in that even those that get paid, are not good professionals, Keeping in mind that the word "Pro" is about profession not how good you are. Some doctors are not the best pros, but it is still their profession, in spite of how much education they have. Some hobbyist should go pro and earn some money with their talent and abilities.
Jun 11, 2017 17:44:56 #
Jun 11, 2017 17:50:59 #
Well said Ed.. Your comments discribe me and I hold them to be important. The difference between me and a talented photographer is that I chose many moons ago to make photography a career and profession.
I would consider your comments to be a discription of who I am as a professional. Fortunately my clients keep comming back which indicates I must be doing something right. Its been a real honor to have a full time career as a photographer. Im part talent as well as a business man.
I would consider your comments to be a discription of who I am as a professional. Fortunately my clients keep comming back which indicates I must be doing something right. Its been a real honor to have a full time career as a photographer. Im part talent as well as a business man.
Jun 11, 2017 17:52:21 #
canon Lee wrote:
Well said Ed. Your comments discribe me and I hold them to be important. The difference between me and a talented photographer is that I chose many moons ago to make photography a career and profession.
I would consider your comments to be a discription of who I am as a professional. Fortunately my clients keep comming back which indicates I must be doing something right. Its been a real honor to have a full time career as a photographer. Im part talent as well as a business man.
I would consider your comments to be a discription of who I am as a professional. Fortunately my clients keep comming back which indicates I must be doing something right. Its been a real honor to have a full time career as a photographer. Im part talent as well as a business man.
Jun 11, 2017 18:07:48 #
Lee! Thanks for your kind comments, they are appreciated. Keep up the good work.
Jun 11, 2017 18:10:51 #
Thanks for all your replies. I recognize this is an old debate. The technology, business elements, media(s), access and "determination of value" are changing so rapidly that the term professional photographer has a broad set of interpretations. 50yrs ago, you needed a lot more technical skill than today to achieve a differentiated photo. There are still photographs that can only be achieved with a deep understanding of the technology and/or hours and hours of practice. With the internet, virtually any photograph you can think of can be conjured with a quick internet search. The concepts of professionalism, earning a living, deep technical understanding and artistry seem to be recurring themes. As the business evolves and video, blogging, youtube and other media become part of the photography world, "professional photographer" seems to be a term that has mostly lost it's meaning and/or sub-sumed within a broader "imaging services" theme. The good news is that "events" will always need someone with high-grade equipment, artistic talent, incredible planning skills, discipline, the interpersonal skills of a counselor and the financial and legal skills of a business owner...and the ability to adapt to the market.... hats off to those still earning a living...and you know who you are.
Jun 11, 2017 18:16:10 #
E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Lee! Thanks for your kind comments, they are appreciated. Keep up the good work.
Jun 11, 2017 18:17:50 #
zgirl
Loc: TN
Mr. Shapiro,
You speak the words of a mentor.
I am taking the (huge, scary) step to transition from one career to another and I value your shared experience and wisdom. I have a feeling that the past 30+ years w/ a large family-owned business, government work for a few years in CA and 21 years with a large corporation will help me with the "door knobs" I WILL encounter.
I have been studying, taking courses and developing business plans for the past few years and I am in the process of putting my money where my mouth is with an LLC. My husband and friends have been a huge source of encouragement and very supportive.
I have the privilege of receiving advice from a successful pro photographer in this area and it has been so helpful.
The old adage of God giving us two ears and one mouth is so true. We should listen twice as often as we speak.
Thank you for sharing so I could listen.
You speak the words of a mentor.
I am taking the (huge, scary) step to transition from one career to another and I value your shared experience and wisdom. I have a feeling that the past 30+ years w/ a large family-owned business, government work for a few years in CA and 21 years with a large corporation will help me with the "door knobs" I WILL encounter.
I have been studying, taking courses and developing business plans for the past few years and I am in the process of putting my money where my mouth is with an LLC. My husband and friends have been a huge source of encouragement and very supportive.
I have the privilege of receiving advice from a successful pro photographer in this area and it has been so helpful.
The old adage of God giving us two ears and one mouth is so true. We should listen twice as often as we speak.
Thank you for sharing so I could listen.
Jun 11, 2017 18:43:58 #
boberic wrote:
I think that anyone who earns a living as a photographer is a pro. But that definition says nothing about the quality of the work. There is also something called a semi-pro. I don't know how to define that, becuse I don.t know what a semi-living is.
I think of semi-pro as a part time photographer. I have a friend who has a day job as a maintenance man, and shoots weddings on weekends, which he has been doing for a long time and is very good at.
Jun 11, 2017 18:53:48 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Being a pro has nothing to do with the quality of the work. It goes for all trades not only photography.
I heard that!
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