How do you define professional?

[livin4lax09]

Just an interesting topic I like discussing with other photographers. How would you define being a professional photographer? Are you a professional the minute you sell a print, or only after you've been shooting for a certain number of years? What do you think?


I have a simple definition that I feel hits the nail right on the head, but for the sake of discussion I'll leave it out until later.

[OldClicker]

To me, I pro is someone who makes a significant portion of their income from photography. It may be a second job, but it's a job rather than a hobbie. - TF

[Loupey]

The word professional typically implies that one considers photography as a business instead of a hobby. A business requires filing and paying taxes with all the associated tax filings (Schedule C, forms 4797 and 4562).

So anyone earning substantial income to warrant filing taxes for photography-related work (regardless of the percentage to one's total income) would be considered a professional IMO.

[Ballen Photo]

Originally Posted by Loupey

So anyone earning substantial income to warrant filing taxes for photography-related work (regardless of the percentage to one's total income) would be considered a professional IMO.

Also consider this, Along with the usual business mumbo jumbo, a "Professional" ie; one that gets paid for their work, must also be capable of producing professional results. In the case of a wedding photographer, the paid "Professional" must be capable of getting "professional" results every time with great consistency.
-Bruce

[Franglais]

Originally Posted by Ballen Photo

Also consider this, Along with the usual business mumbo jumbo, a "Professional" ie; one that gets paid for their work, must also be capable of producing professional results. In the case of a wedding photographer, the paid "Professional" must be capable of getting "professional" results every time with great consistency.
-Bruce

There are two words:

- The noun "Professional" which is someone who makes money from what the does
- The adjective "professional" which is a quality term meaning something well-done by someone who knows his trade.

If a person turns in sloppy results but still makes his living from it then he is remains a Professional. Unfortunately.

[draymorton]

Someone who is "a professional" earns more than 50% of his income via the given trade.

Someone who is "professional" knows his gear inside and out and knows how to use it to achieve the result he (or his client) is after with maximum accuracy and effectiveness and in the minimum amount of time.

[Loupey]

Originally Posted by Ballen Photo

...the paid "Professional" must be capable of getting "professional" results every time with great consistency.
-Bruce

Some people are much better at the business aspect as opposed to their raw photographic talent

[SmartWombat]

Whereas I know that I am lousy at the business aspect.

[Ballen Photo]

Guys, I can't really argue with your point about simply earning money through the trade, but looking back at the subject line which is actually a question that asks; How do you define professional? I take "you" to mean me, and "I" believe being a professional is directly related to the quality of work you put out. To steal a line from the Ford Motor Company; Job quality is number ONE.
-Bruce

[Grandpaw]

To me being a professional photographer really doesn't depend on how much money you make from taking pictures or how it contributes to your total income. I have seen many photographers that made a living taking pictures that I would not consider to be a professional photographer. Before I go any further I will say that I am retired and do not make much money , Yet, by my photography but hope to make my hobby a part time income as time goes on. In 1970 when I graduated from school I went to work taking pictures with a man that made a very successful living with his photographic skills.. He was a talented photographer but was not very professional how he went about taking pictures or how he handled the business. He was very good at getting great pictures but that is where his abilities stopped. So for me asking what a professional photographer or professional anything else is, in my opinion, has more to do with not only your picture taking ability but how you go about handling the customers and the entire business as a whole. Just my thoughts on the subject, Jeff

[jetrim]

I've always associated it with the textbook definition
Amateur: Works to please himself
Professional: Works to please others (paying clients)

To me, pleasing others encompasses all the knowledge of the tools and attention to detail required to please a client on a consistent basis. Without being able to do so, it *should* eliminate the amount of income derived from the activity, but then again as PT Barnum said "There's a sucker born every minute". So for me, the two prevailing schools of thought are really intertwined. A professional must be able to turn out a product/service at a level of quality that his customers are willing to pay for. This goes for any profession, not just photography. Of course, some people are willing to pay less money for lower quality while others are willing to pay more for higher quality.

[straightarm]

A professional photographer is someone who makes a living from their photography. Any muppet can sell one or two pictures, but it requires photographic skills, and in most cases entrepreneurial skills as well, to make it as a professional.

[Ballen Photo]

Originally Posted by jetrim

To me, pleasing others encompasses all the knowledge of the tools and attention to detail required to please a client on a consistent basis. Without being able to do so, it *should* eliminate the amount of income derived from the activity, but then again as PT Barnum said "There's a sucker born every minute". So for me, the two prevailing schools of thought are really intertwined. A professional must be able to turn out a product/service at a level of quality that his customers are willing to pay for. This goes for any profession, not just photography. Of course, some people are willing to pay less money for lower quality while others are willing to pay more for higher quality.

I most definitely subscribe to your train of thought here.
-Bruce

[freygr]

Originally Posted by SmartWombat

Whereas I know that I am lousy at the business aspect.

All I have to say is wilcome to the club!

And I have to agree with draymorton and OldClicker, that you make a good part of your income from photography. But Professional does not equate to great photos or art. It's giving your clients what they want!

[livin4lax09]

some good thoughts here. I'll throw in my opinion.

A professional photographer is someone who makes more money on photography than they spend.

[Axle]

A Professional Photographer is anyone who does a job in which they are paid. So if you've ever been paid to take photos, you're a pro.