A discussion in another thread got me thinking.

What do you consider a Pro photographer?

Someone who receives 60-100% of their income from Photography?

Or a freelancer who frequently gets paid to take pictures?

IMO, User: StreetRacingOnline is the only "Pro" on this forum.

Discuss.

 

Professional photographer is someone that has a career as a photographer. You pay taxes on the money you make from photography, and is supports you then you are a professional.

You've been taking pictures for 5, 10, 15 years and have all the equipment know how, you are an enthusiast.

If you've done something in the past that you got paid for you don't automatically become a professional. A professional title is ongoing. My dad worked for the st pete times as a professional photographer for 5 years back when I was first born. He takes great pictures still but I don't consider him a professional photographer.

 

Not sure what the income cut of is but there are tons of professional wedding photographers who still have regular 9-5. Would you call them dual professionals or semi professionals?

If you pay taxes on your earnings from photography I would call that professional.

 

If you have a legitimate wedding photography business set up and you shoot at least 3-4 weddings a month then I would deff consider them professional.

 

In my opinion a professional is someone who will on/off get paid for their services (freelance) BUT their photos show what they are doing. Any idiot can go find a cheap bastard who will give them $20dollars and a lollipop to take photos of something for them. If your photos reflect you know what your doing and not just pointing the damn camera at something and pressing a button, then I consider it professional. If your someone who does this as a 9-5 at a studio then thats your job -- doesn't mean your a pro

 

I'd say anything over 50% of your total income would make you a professional since that more or less makes your main job photography.

100% of my income is photography.

 

^ So I guess this makes you a pro?

 

Yes sir, although I'll be completely honest with you all I keep my resume handy and apply for full time day jobs frequently. The automotive photography industry isn't what it used to be, Ive been shooting fashion lately to offset the down time.

You'll find most Professional photographers don't post work that often because we're often obligated to wait for print (3-4 months out) or we don't own the rights to the photos anymore.

 

I been working with a professional photographer for the last month shooting his documentary. He's more a fine arts photographer then anything else, he's very big in the UK area how-ever he's been here for the last 6 years in the states but being a professional photographer is someone who honestly is shooting for the industry not weddings getting paid, or shooting for small time gigs, but in fact shooting on a higher-end, I'd guess when you are making 40k-100k a year is when I could say its professional.

Everyone has there own outlook...

 

^ lol