“Professional photographers “
Mar 25, 2018 06:38:10 #
I can't agree with that. Have you ever taken a car or motorcycle to a shop that advertised itself as 'professional' and then received shoddy work? If you did would you consider them professional? How about an airline pilot that almost kills you with pilot errors? Being a pro suggests a level of accomplishment that gives one ease of mind....at least by my way of thinking.
Mar 25, 2018 07:40:43 #
My 2 cents:
A "professional" photographer represents a combination of undefined skills and income generation. These are the same for any "profession" that doesn't have defined standards and credentials and is typical of creative activities. Certain "professions" such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants, etc. have specific educational and experience requirements established by regulatory authorities and the "professions" themselves. Creative activities, photographers, writers, actors, musicians, etc. do not have those same requirements.
It becomes a matter of honest self-determination and acceptance in your area of expertise. Personally, I have sold photographs and been paid for playing the guitar in a band but I don't think of myself as a "professional" in either field although the people who've paid (payed ?) me may see it differently.
A "professional" photographer represents a combination of undefined skills and income generation. These are the same for any "profession" that doesn't have defined standards and credentials and is typical of creative activities. Certain "professions" such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants, etc. have specific educational and experience requirements established by regulatory authorities and the "professions" themselves. Creative activities, photographers, writers, actors, musicians, etc. do not have those same requirements.
It becomes a matter of honest self-determination and acceptance in your area of expertise. Personally, I have sold photographs and been paid for playing the guitar in a band but I don't think of myself as a "professional" in either field although the people who've paid (payed ?) me may see it differently.
Mar 25, 2018 07:48:19 #
garygrafic
Loc: South Florida
In addition to the money aspect, an amateur shoots only when inspired, the pro has to shoot with a headache, heartburn, or hangover.
Mar 25, 2018 08:15:56 #
Professionals do it for a living, and may also do it as their hobby. I'm a natural at photography, innately knowing composition, timing, and lighting without ever studying it, but I'm no business person. I chose another way to make money, but have been shooting decent photos since the age of 9.
Mar 25, 2018 08:21:22 #
rdubreuil
Loc: Dummer, NH USA
abraham.losa wrote:
Hello everyone,I’m just curious of what members in here have in mind when it comes to define a pro photographer or an amateur,because I’ve seen pictures taken by amateur people far better than some pro photographers,please ,,,I’m not point finger or something like that,I’m just curious on what a photographer need to be or have,to call themselve “pro”
Greetings to everyone!!!!!!👍🏻
Greetings to everyone!!!!!!👍🏻
A steady paycheck derived solely from photography.
Mar 25, 2018 08:26:30 #
abraham.losa wrote:
Hello everyone,I’m just curious of what members in here have in mind when it comes to define a pro photographer or an amateur,because I’ve seen pictures taken by amateur people far better than some pro photographers,please ,,,I’m not point finger or something like
Greetings to everyone!!!!!!👍🏻
Greetings to everyone!!!!!!👍🏻
I’ve been shooting for 35 years and have always thought of people who took the ‘plunge’ and left their day job or the career they were in to put food on the table...behind to become a full time photographer would define being a professional. But that might be too simplistic. After retiring from a career in Construction sales I have contracted with numerous builders to take pictures of their completed projects and have a business card and my accountant says this is a ‘business’ so does that make me a professional? Mmmm... I’m much prouder of the wildlife photos from our numerous African safaris displayed in our home in Pennsylvania as well as our winter home in Florida, which people who are not photographers declare are Nat Geo quality...I’m not sure I’m a professional at all but I enjoy what I’m doing and I suppose the question about whether or not I’m a professional will continue to linger.
Mar 25, 2018 08:29:03 #
abraham.losa wrote:
Hello everyone,I’m just curious of what members in here have in mind when it comes to define a pro photographer or an amateur,because I’ve seen pictures taken by amateur people far better than some pro photographers,please ,,,I’m not point finger or something like that,I’m just curious on what a photographer need to be or have,to call themselve “pro”
Greetings to everyone!!!!!!👍🏻
Greetings to everyone!!!!!!👍🏻
According to several contest rules, if one has been paid for his work, he’s a professional. If he hasn’t, he’s not. That’s a pretty strict interpretation, in my opinion, and really has nothing to do with photographic competency, but rules are rules.
Mar 25, 2018 08:32:27 #
lesdmd wrote:
Professional usually denotes a degree of competence and quality but mainly means that there is a sale of product.
Think "PROFESSIONAL" politician, their competence is questionable and the product they sell is them.
Mar 25, 2018 08:48:11 #
Longshadow wrote:
To me a "Pro" is in the photography business as primary income.
Pros do not necessarily create images that everyone likes, they have their own niche and style.
I've seen some fantastic images created by "non-pros", as well as "eh" images created by pros.
What is perceived as a great image is done so by the viewer.
Pros do not necessarily create images that everyone likes, they have their own niche and style.
I've seen some fantastic images created by "non-pros", as well as "eh" images created by pros.
What is perceived as a great image is done so by the viewer.
=============
Yep!
As with any art form - Being that it is art - the "art" is in the eye of the person viewing such.
It is subjective. What one likes - another despises. And the creator of the art form MUST have a "thick skin".
I make photographs and photographic art for ME. If someone else likes it and buys it, even just one other person, All the Better.
"If You Like My Art ===== Wheres the check?"
A Professional Photographer derives his Main Income from sales of his, or her, work on capturing images with the use of a camera and editing abilities.
-0-
Mar 25, 2018 08:56:27 #
While we would like the sobriquet of 'Professional' to imply some degree of quality of work, unfortunately it does not. Many words are misunderstood in that manner. Words like 'scholar' does not mean someone with advanced knowledge in a subject. It merely means someone who goes to school. And ignorant does not imply someone of limited intelligence; just some who does not know some specific fact.
In the final analysis, being a professional in any endeavor simply means that you charge a fee for your services and it is paid. (A professional of 50+ years)
In the final analysis, being a professional in any endeavor simply means that you charge a fee for your services and it is paid. (A professional of 50+ years)
Mar 25, 2018 08:56:30 #
A professional photographer is someone that makes at least 50% of his living with photography. The expertise of the photographer talks about his or her experience but it is not the correct definition of a professional.
As I said, if most of your living depends on the money earned with photography you are classified as a professional photographer.
A hobbyist regardless of his or her expertise does not make a living with photography.
As I said, if most of your living depends on the money earned with photography you are classified as a professional photographer.
A hobbyist regardless of his or her expertise does not make a living with photography.
Mar 25, 2018 09:00:59 #
abraham.losa wrote:
Hello everyone,I’m just curious of what members in here have in mind when it comes to define a pro photographer or an amateur,because I’ve seen pictures taken by amateur people far better than some pro photographers,please ,,,I’m not point finger or something like that,I’m just curious on what a photographer need to be or have,to call themselve “pro”
Greetings to everyone!!!!!!👍🏻
Greetings to everyone!!!!!!👍🏻
I am a member of the Professional Photographers of Canada and working on a portfolio that will qualify me for accreditation. In my opinion, “professional” means consistency of high quality images. Although many amateurs can produce excellent work, in my experience (including myself) is that without a deep understanding of the art and science of photography, the “hit rate” of amateurs is less. My own hit rate is not high enough to gain accreditation, but I am getting better.... and closer.....
Mar 25, 2018 09:05:08 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
You could get many different opinions on this one.
I have made money selling photos, I have been paid to do shoots, I have been paid for photo journalism, I have never made a real living at it ... more of a case of trying to pay for a serious hobby.
I don't consider myself to be a "PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER" but I don't really consider myself an a amateur either.
Perhaps a third class of "SEMI PRO" should be considered for many of us.
I have made money selling photos, I have been paid to do shoots, I have been paid for photo journalism, I have never made a real living at it ... more of a case of trying to pay for a serious hobby.
I don't consider myself to be a "PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER" but I don't really consider myself an a amateur either.
Perhaps a third class of "SEMI PRO" should be considered for many of us.
Mar 25, 2018 09:17:25 #
BHC wrote:
Based on these definitions, what do you call someone who makes 51-99% of his/her income from photography?
By those definitions, I would think "Semi-Pro" would be between "Pro" and "Amateur".
I would define "professional photographer" simply as someone who got paid for their photos. Even if you only get paid for one photo, you are (or at least, were) a professional.
Leave the percentages for those trying to define if they are a "Full-Time or Part-Time professional photographer"
Mar 25, 2018 09:20:10 #
LWW wrote:
You could get many different opinions on this one.
I have made money selling photos, I have been paid to do shoots, I have been paid for photo journalism, I have never made a real living at it ... more of a case of trying to pay for a serious hobby.
I don't consider myself to be a "PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER" but I don't really consider myself an a amateur either.
Perhaps a third class of "SEMI PRO" should be considered for many of us.
I have made money selling photos, I have been paid to do shoots, I have been paid for photo journalism, I have never made a real living at it ... more of a case of trying to pay for a serious hobby.
I don't consider myself to be a "PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER" but I don't really consider myself an a amateur either.
Perhaps a third class of "SEMI PRO" should be considered for many of us.
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