Question for everybody

[LensBaby]

What is everybodys individual definition of what a "professional" photographer is. I am curious as to what answers will come about.

[coffee]

I'm sure you will get many different answers on this one. I guess my definition would be someone that makes thier livelihood with photography.

[laura]

My first thought was someones who main income is from their photography. But I suppose anyone who earns even a small amount of money can be classed as professional.

[jerryph]

Wow, a very common and hot topic in all the photography forums... but basically, for me it means two things:

1. Someone that earns income from the act of taking pictures or the sales of their pictures.

2. More importantly, a professional to *me* is someone that has taken the time to hone their skills, achieve a higher than average level of ability with their camera (and can *consistently* produce superior and professional results becuase of their abilities and preparations), and more importantly... has taken the time to develop a VERY specific plan of attack or plan of action on what goals to set in their business... *and* implements them successfully.

For me a pro can not only take a DAMN fine picture over and over, they understand the local tax laws, have done a competitive analysis of their local market, done a BUSINESS PLAN, and know the direction that their business is going from day 1 to as far ahead as 5 years into the future.

Being a professional photographer is much more than knowing when to press the shutter button... indeed, if you talk to some of the most accomplished and successful photographers in the country, you will find that running a successful photography business (which *should* be goal #1 of any professional)... has very little to do with photography at all!

[LensBaby]

Yeah I wanted to see what the thoughts were from everybody on this. It is funny to see so many different answers, but yet some of them are the same.


This is why I ask. I am not trying to offend anybody by any means at all.

I think a professional is somebody that has studied their craft (not that they need formal training) and has become very proficient in it, and can explain their reasons of why he/she did something.


The reason I have wondered this is because I know of a local photographer that is in my area...This particular photographer has been around for 50 years. Well, they decided to sell their business, and somebody bought it that is NOT a professional by any means. Maybe semi-pro but NOT pro. They are using the same name of what used to be a reputable business, that took excellent photos.The people in the community have been using them for years, are now getting horrible quality photos. OK so to shorten my answer......just because this man makes his living by doing this does it make him a pro? In my opinion NO....he advertises himself as a pro. It is very sad when people are paying him thousands of dollars for a wedding shoot. He is almost like a math professor who can't divide. Sad.

[jerryph]

Sad indeed. That guy that sold the business basically tarnished his name irreparably, and the guy that bought it, received a good reputation without earning it.

Not to worry, unless they do something drastic, that will last about a year before he loses that advantage and no one uses them ever. The business will go down the toilet and close soon after that.

[dkippen]

Professional Photographer: When you have taken the time to study, practice and apply what you have learned about photography, then one of your photos is either published or someone is willing to pay you for a photo.