Slightly OT - how do YOU define a "professional" photographer?

With 2009 coming up, I've been thinking about New Year's resolutions and longer term goals. Somewhere in the back of my mind I have the vague goal to someday "become a professional photographer." I have a pretty good idea what that means to me...I wonder what it means to you?

For those of you who are in the professional category - how do you define it? When did you know you were a professional?

For those of you, like me, who aspire to being considered a professional - what is the "gap" for you between where you are and where you want to be? Is it more time in the field? Better equipment? Better skills? Ability to make more $$ at your hobby?

I'm curious to the different opinions (or even a general consensus if there is one...)

The lines are open...caller you're on the air...

I think how you define it may be more important than how any of us define it! (I know---really helpful! ). Some say a "professional photographer" is:

1.) a photographer who conducts his/her affairs professionally
2.) a photographer who gets >50% of their income from photography
3.) a photographer who has excellent photographs
4.) a photographer who does photography full time
5.) fill in the blank

Not trying to be glib, its just that everyone's definition of "professional photographer" will be different. If you want to be perceived as a "professional", then conduct your business in a professional manner. Register your business, get a website, get business cards, get letterhead, get a merchant account, draft up legal forms (property release, model release, assignment/licensing terms and contracts, etc.), live and work by a code of ethics.

Of course you could always call yourself "semi-pro" or "serious amateur" but then how do you define those?

I am not really sure what a pro is. But i will share with you something told to me by my mentor Bill Edwards. He used to tell me that the best way to become rich as a photographer was to marry rich.

RichieV

Another photographer once told me that, given a choice, he'd rather see his name on the "Pay to the order of" line than as a photo credit. Words to live by.

I make my living as a photographer, but I can't honestly say when I went from being a hobbiest to being a pro. I think it has a lot to do with simply making money at photography. To me, that's what "turning pro" means. The amount of money, or what percentage of your income is derived from photography, is a moving target, dependent on the person the term is being applied to. I guess one way to measure it is, if someone you didn't know came up to you and asked what you did for a living, could you describe yourself as a photographer in that context? The level of honesty would depend a lot on how good-looking she was, and how single you were willing to tell her you were.

Ah yes, and along the lines of what RichieV says, here's how to make a million dollars in photography. First, you start with two million dollars...

How to make a million dollars in photography. First, you start with two million dollars...

I'm already working on my 2nd million! (I gave up on the 1st.)

I agree with Phillip, it really depends on what you want the definition to be. I know a lot of 'Pro' photographers on this forum and few of them make their living from photography. Those whose full time profession is photography, I applaud and somewhat envy. But I know it's not a fast lane to riches, at least for most.

For me, I think 'Professional' is an attitude or approach. It's could be related to the commitment and investment in 'pro' level gear and tools. But it's more importantly deciding to take your craft seriously enough to move yourself past the amateur/hobby stage and strive to produce results worthy of recognition. Selling something can give you that 'professional' stamp of approval, but there are plenty of talented, professional photographers who haven't sold anything - yet.

I also agree with Todd, what do you say when asked what you d? These days, I normally say, "I'm a photographer" then I tell them that I'm also a software engineer. I'm hoping, and working, for the day that the latter statement is the only one I use. I agree that making a living or steady income from photography qualifies someone as a 'Pro'. I also think there is room in the definition for those who approach photography with a professional attitude and dedication.

Good luck with your quest!

I put myself in the "semi-pro" category. I make money on photography, but I don't spend enough time at it to make myself "rich" by it ($2 million and/or rich wife notwithstanding...).

For many contests, "pro" is either a percentage of your total income, or some fixed dollar amount per year - usually $5000-8000. By those standards, I'm not a pro. But I've had a paying contract, have credits, and have sold art from my photos...

So, punk. Do you feel like a pro? Do you?

If you spend 8x more time managing the business than actually shooting, you're probably a pro. Whether or not you're a successful pro is another story...

Seriously, the term "pro" encompasses a very broad range of photographers. I don't think there is one definition for the term. I'd consider someone a pro if they have a strategy, a thoughtful plan, strong focus, well-defined goals and the ability to execute. And then successfully execute. I think generating significant income will validate whether or not you're a pro, but isn't part of the definition.

And I think that's the biggest gap for anyone wanting to go from hobbyist to 'pro' - the business acumen. That and the ability to consistently produce high quality images that are in demand. Although I appreciate the sentiment that being a pro is partly state-of-mind, that's an internally derived definition. The market will only consider you a pro when you can deliver what the market wants.

I think once you get a business card, you're pretty much officially pro.

Your own, or someone else's?

These days, I normally say, "I'm a photographer" then I tell them that I'm also a software engineer.

I'm with Kalin on this one. Even before I ever bought a camera I'd tell people I am a photographer (instead of admitting that I'm also a lawyer).

Then again, depending on my audience, I have also claimed to be a shepherd, a meter reader, and a professional masseur!

When im out shooting i get lots of people who ask if i am a "professional photographer". Im definitely not one by the usual definition, i dont even pay completely for my hobby! But i hate to say, "no im an amateur" because labeling yourself an "amateur" is one way of undervaluing your work, its almost like calling yourself a "novice". So i usualy claim to be semi-pro! Photography is weird in that way. I rarely get that sort of question from audiences with respect to music, and as a musician i have a ton more experience and skill than as a photographer! For most other pursuits, it's OK to lable oneself an "expert" or even "pro" based on ones ability and experience, but this doesnt seem to generally be the case with photography.

Stan, I take those, "are you a pro?" questions in a totaly differenct context.
I feel people are just interested if photography is my full time profession, so it is easy to answer "no".
Full time nature/landscape photographers are a rare find in the wild.

I just finished reading Tom Tills new book on "Landscape Photography". He has a chapter
on how to make a success at the business. It might be helpful to you. I recommend the
book. At the present it is only available thru his gallery. He made good use of a teaching
job to have income while he built his business. He now has 75,000 4x5's in his file. That
is one tremendous amount of carrying a heavy pack. That is truly a professional.

I'm often asked if I'm a "Pro" photographer. My standard reply is that I'm a freelance photographer working for myself creating work for sale as fineart prints and also for use in magazines, travel guides, calendars, websites, etc... I will also add that I teach and have contributed to several environmental organizations that work on projects I support.

John Shaw says in his workshops: "repeat after me, I am a pro photographer". Then he says: "OK, you are all pro photographers." That's really about it. I don't think that we need to get into the whole FT/PT/semi-pro business. We all understand that it's a very hard business and much easier to make money outside of photography. The competition gets ratcheted up a notch every year and more photographers will be happy to have a credit over a fair payment for their work. Regardless of how we classify ourselves, it is imperative that we price our work professionally so others are compensated fairly. We must also hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards by staying on trails where appropriate (particularly heavy use areas) and shooting wildlife in an ethical way - not bumping winter raptors, or baiting mammals - remembering no picture is more valuable than the subject.

While the field is very crowded, I think there's room for photogs who consider alternative routes to success. In this forum, we have fine art masters, graphic arts geniuses, backcountry explorers, conservationists, writers, teachers, and more. Take a good inventory of your skill set and blaze a new trail!

John Shaw says in his workshops: "repeat after me, I am a pro photographer". Then he says: "OK, you are all pro photographers." That's really about it.

Don't forget to click the heels of your ruby slippers three times while making that wish.

There's no place like NPN...there's no place like NPN...there's no place like NPN!

This subject was discussed last year I believe on the General Forum. Might want to look it up .

Someone who photographs professionals???

Great comments! Thinking about improving my skills usually leads me to focusing on upgrading equipment rather than on my skills. Reminds me of this old joke:

An amateur photographer was invited to dinner with friends, and he took along a few pictures to show to them. The hostess looked at the photos and commented, "These are very good! You must have a good camera."

The photographer didn't make any comment, but as he was leaving to go home, he said, "That was a really delicious meal! You must have some very good pots."

Not so much a joke as I have had people actually say this to my face!

Coming late to the thread as usual so I'm probably typing into thin air, but... I once read these pertinent observations in a Del's Camera print ad:

Q: How many professional photographers does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: Ten; one to change the lightbulb and nine to look on, shrug their shoulders, and say, "I could have done that!"

Q: How many amateur photographers does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: Just one, because his camera has an automatic lightbulb changing function.

Here's another qualifying test, from the District of Columbia Park Police: if you are shooting from a tripod you are a pro. (They require, or once did, a steep fee for pro photographers to shoot public buildings in DC, and shooting from a tripod de facto made you a pro!)