What defines a "Pro" Photographer?

[Murph]

What defines a professional photographer? Is it:

1) 100% of your income from photography?
2) Any paying gig you can get?
3) Use of "Pro" equipment?
4) Selling a photograph?
5) Attitude, marketing, and more attitude?
6) Amount of gear?
7) People pay you for THIS?
8) Or something else?

So what defines in the fourm's mind, a professional photographer? What do you have to do to get there? I see the term used pretty loosely these days, so I thought I would ask for the definition from the folks here.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by Murph

So what defines in the fourm's mind, a professional photographer?

Two words....."CAPTAIN TOM"

[jgrindal]

Originally Posted by Murph

What defines a professional photographer? Is it:

1) 100% of your income from photography?
2) Any paying gig you can get?
3) Use of "Pro" equipment?
4) Selling a photograph?
5) Attitude, marketing, and more attitude?
6) Amount of gear?
7) People pay you for THIS?
8) Or something else?

So what defines in the fourm's mind, a professional photographer? What do you have to do to get there? I see the term used pretty loosely these days, so I thought I would ask for the definition from the folks here.

Personally, I think that being a professional consists of 2 elements:

1) Quality of Work - You MUST know just what in the hell it is you're doing. You must be able to continually generate quality images that are worthy of being purchased.

2) Income - You MUST be able to generate enough income to pay your bills. Even if you are only going part-time, if photography can support you, it can be considered your profession.

My 2 cents.

[David Whatley]

"I" would define it as someone that makes over 50% of their income from photography. Or someone that devotes over 50% of their "work" hours to photography. Semi Pro or Freelance would be someone that derives under 50% of their income from photography yet makes over XX $ from photography.
There are plenty of pros on here that photography is a part time gig, and then there are the ones that sold one image for .50 cents that would like to be a pro.

[JohnT]

Is there any ONE, decided-upon definition, in writing, of "professional photographer"? How does the PPA define it? Or do they?

[CaptainTom]

and then there are the ones that sold one image for .50 cents that would like to be a pro.

In the voice of the diminutive Gary Coleman...
What's you talkin about David ?

[kenw]

you want the technical definition or the marketing definition?

they're different, you know.

technical definition: you make more than 50% of your income from photography.

marketing definition: it can mean whatever you want. be sure to use undefinable words like quality, dedication, experience, etc. Be prepared to argue about it ad nauseum and yet no matter how much you argue nor how valid your points, no one will change their mind and nothing in the world will change because of it......

[jgrindal]

Originally Posted by kenw

you want the technical definition or the marketing definition?

they're different, you know.

technical definition: you make more than 50% of your income from photography.

marketing definition: it can mean whatever you want. be sure to use undefinable words like quality, dedication, experience, etc. Be prepared to argue about it ad nauseum and yet no matter how much you argue nor how valid your points, no one will change their mind and nothing in the world will change because of it......

You're such an engineer. Always looking for 'numbers' and 'absolutes'

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by kenw

you want the technical definition or the marketing definition?

they're different, you know.

technical definition: you make more than 50% of your income from photography.

marketing definition: it can mean whatever you want. be sure to use undefinable words like quality, dedication, experience, etc. Be prepared to argue about it ad nauseum and yet no matter how much you argue nor how valid your points, no one will change their mind and nothing in the world will change because of it......

so, am I a technical pro or a marketing pro ?
I won some money playing golf once, could I be called a golf pro ?
Just because I hit the ball off line doesn't mean you can call me a hooker.
If I put the bait on your hook perfectly does that make me a master baiter ?

[jgrindal]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

If I put the bait on your hook perfectly does that make me a master baiter ?

Yes.

[zebulus]

Someone who makes money taking pictures.

It dosent mean their a good photographer, just means they make money at it.

I read somewhere the rankings of photographers...pro's were at the bottom, artists who take pictures for arts sake were at the top.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

If I put the bait on your hook perfectly does that make me a master baiter ?

that depends... can you do it ambidextriously?

[Cajungaltx]

I think a pro is someone who knows photography very well and earns income at it. The amount of income is less important to me.

If someone is a photographer, and is capable of capturing the moment... of seeing 'the light'.... and does it because their heart compels them, and doesn't ask for money.... are they 'less' because they 'earn' less.

Heck - for that matter, when has money ever really determined what label you get to ascribe to?

I think there SHOULD be standards... or some type of testing availble before you use the term 'professional' to describe your photography... a basic level of skill....

I don't care about equipment...I think there are more of those who do more with less and too many who do less, with much more...

[kenw]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

so, am I a technical pro or a marketing pro ?

I dare say you need to be both to stay that way......

if all it took was making (some) money at it, I could be called a professional:
1) model ($25 and lunch back in 77!)
2) gutter hanger ($100 a few years back)
3) computer repairman (barter, parts and the odd cash over the years)
4) sprinkler system repairman ($100 a few years ago)
5) automotive brake repairman (pro bono to $50 over the years)
6) plumber (too many times to count...)
7) electrician (code schmode....)
8) inventor (sold an idea a few years back. That was fun.)
9) bumper sticker designer/marketeer (cleared ~$2500 over the the run of that sticker..)
10) dead/disabled car driver/deliverer (summer job/ college)

.... and photographer (a few $20 prints now and then)

but I don't. For technical reasons and marketing reasons.......

and while the day job pays well, the State of Texas has certain legal requirements about the title "Professional Engineer", so I can't even claim that one!!! In that case, it doesn't necessarily increase the income but means someone can sue you...such a deal.

pass.

[CallMeAl]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Two words....."CAPTAIN TOM"

How quickly he learns!!!!