Professional...a different perspective.

[CallMeAl]

Post Deleted...It's just not worth discussing.

[w9ctm]

health perspecitve and point of view. It really is for the market to decide whether someone provides a quality service or not. And has been mentioned in many threads before, a great camera does not necessarily make you a great photographer.

[jeffro20]

Size does matter in most cases.

[RussFrost]

I think the term is used somewhat loosely and you may have differentiate between the skill level and the monetary income.

Using a strict definition of the word "professional" then a professional photographer would be someone who made their living (profession) as a photographer, which generally requires great skill.

A person that did not earn their living taking pictures could still produce professional level results (meaning high quality), but technically they would not be a "professional" as they are not relying on those pictures for income.

I suppose it gets blurry if you do something else for living and still sell a few pictures here and there.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by RussFrost

I think the term is used somewhat loosely and you may have differentiate between the skill level and the monetary income.

Using a strict definition of the word "professional" then a professional photographer would be someone who made their living (profession) as a photographer, which generally requires great skill.

A person that did not earn their living taking pictures could still produce professional level results (meaning high quality), but technically they would not be a "professional" as they are not relying on those pictures for income.

I suppose it gets blurry if you do something else for living and still sell a few pictures here and there.

I agree with this.

I know professional photographers that have no talent.
I know amateurs that are wildly talented.
And others fall everywhere in between.

But if you don't draw your main source of income from photography, I think you have an income-generating hobby.

[w9ctm]

Thomas, I agree with your statement.

[bondarnes]

Don't tease me like that Craig. Gone in thirty seconds??

[Rson]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

I agree with this.

I know professional photographers that have no talent.
I know amateurs that are wildly talented.
And others fall everywhere in between.

But if you don't draw your main source of income from photography, I think you have an income-generating hobby.

1-up

[carrbowl]

And I collect money from taking photos, but I sure don't feel like a professional. But because the way the industry seems to be, if you collect money, you have to be called a professional. I don't like it. Why can't I just be a photographer, why do I have to be a professional photographer??

[Tom]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

And I collect money from taking photos, but I sure don't feel like a professional. But because the way the industry seems to be, if you collect money, you have to be called a professional. I don't like it. Why can't I just be a photographer, why do I have to be a professional photographer??

Just because you take money at something doesn't make you professional. It means you have earned income at that.

[carrbowl]

I fully agree Thomas...but it seems to me the industry has said if you take money, you are called a professional photographer...I think this is why it is so frustrating to people that truly are professionals and have earned the right to be called that. I should not be in the same category as them..I have lots of hours and lots of years of learning to do before I can be in that category.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

But if you don't draw your main source of income from photography, I think you have an income-generating hobby.

So if someone runs a successful photography biz that makes way above what the national average for a photography biz, but also has a very high paying job else where, they are not real a professional photographer?

[Roy]

Originally Posted by thejakestir

So if someone runs a successful photography biz that makes way above what the national average for a photography biz, but also has a very high paying job else where, they are not real a professional photographer?

Let's not get complicated here. My brain is already turning into mush.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Roy

Let's not get complicated here. My brain is already turning into mush.

Sorry, just having some fun

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by Roy

Let's not get complicated here. My brain is already turning into mush.

It has been one of those days... hasn't it? I think TPF has been WAY more busy today than most days. Specially with all the cops, and weddings, and Capt'n Tom talkin 'bout 'Le Sexy Photo'....