Pro / not a pro

[aam1234]

Noticed some numbers people mention here that might make noobs/amateurs scratch their heads. For example, some people might say they've taken say, 10,000 pics in a month. Or they've owned so many lenes. When one hears that one can't help but think if that person is a pro or not. And that's the purpose of this poll.

Kindly notice that a pro doesn't mean that the person derive all his/her income from photography. If you get some income from your camera & equipment then consider yourself a pro (for the purpose of this poll).

[CoolToolGuy]

I used to get some income from it, but now I do it all for myself. I do projects gratis to help my kids' school plays and such.

Have Fun,

[Jon]

Same here. I may start working toward a sideline as I approach retirement, to keep my toys coming in though.

[timmyquest]

I get paid for my photographs...

[steven]

Had some offers for pay but I like it too much to be a paid slave:)

[flyfisher]

I do a couple of weddinge a year and a little leauge fo pay but it's just to buy the toys.

[ssim]

Making a few bucks here and there doesn't qualify me as a pro. I do it for the love of it. If I get to bang away on the shutter and someone wants to pay me for it, I'm a happy camper.

[Ogrt48]

Well I have sold a few 4x6's to friends for cost at $0.19 each, I'm so pro :D

[Citizensmith]

I make occasional money doing portraits and weddings but I go just by word of mouth, no advertising. I also do photography classes for a local non profit. At my job I do get used as a photographer but that accounts for maybe 5% of my time. Photography is not really an income source though so I wouldn't consider myself a professional.

[Raj]

Just a beginner ...

[Turbowolf]

Retired Pro ... trained as a Crime Scene and Arson Investigation Photographer. Now all I shoot is wildlife, burned out doing 'public service' photo work. At least I was able to take a class from the FBI before I hung up my badge.

[Conk]

I suppose you can say I'm pro. I wouldn't say I'm a seasoned pro. I'm a registered business with a studio. I shoot as a pet photographer that brings in a small income but only because I don't pursue it full time. I am the photographer for the Cat Fanciers of British Columbia. I think that what I've been able to do is find a niche as my business name is that of the town I live in. For example: Cloverdale Photography. Instead of using my personal name as a title.

[blinking8s]

i wish i got paid more for my photographs

and officially, i would say i am "becoming" a professional

i work with pro's, i get hired by pro's...hehe...but yeah...when Im done with school I'll think about the term "pro" a little more...for now I like to drink beer and skip class too much

[rebel61021]

I hope some day to take a picture that somebody else would like to buy.

[Maureen Souza]

I do freebies for my family and get paid by everyone else! I am also mostly word of mouth but I live in a small community.

[Persian-Rice]

I am a "becoming/almost there" pro as well.
I am an "Official" photographer of a rep hockey organization. I have also been invited to shoot a charity hockey game tomorrow with some real big names(Cujo,Belfour,Yzerman,Lindros, Vanderjagt of the Colts, Steve Thomas, Dougie Gilmore, Gary Robers, Gilbert Dionne etc etc...) I'm pretty excited, it's my first shot at pros/celebrities. Oh and I am a photography major at Ryerson Polytechnic U. school of photography, but I am transferring to Sheridan C.(one of the best photography schools in North America) as of next September.

So I consider myself a rookie pro.

[RockSlut]

I've had a few paid gigs under my belt now, and I sure plan to have more :)

[aam1234]

Vanderjagt of the Colts

Isn't he the kicker for the Colts. And is he into photography.

[Andy_T]

No, I'm not a pro....
I earn my money in a decent way.
I think that it is even illegal in most countries.

Best regards,
Andy

[sGu]

People pay me to take photos for them, but i don't live off it, not yet at least, so I guess "semi-pro" is more suitable for me

[aam1234]

I think that it is even illegal in most countries.

Can you elaborate on that Andy. Thanks

[etaf]

i used to do pro work and was moving in that direction slowly - but now I only do odd jobs for friends & Family

[Persian-Rice]

aam1234, no he is playing in the charity tournament. Is he into photography? I dont know, ill ask him.........But hese Canadian, which explains why he knows how to play hockey.........Which reminds me, I need to get ready to go soon.

[dewmuw]

I've been paid for photographs - but that doesn't make me a pro.

I know people who make their living from photography, but in my mind that doesn't make them a pro either. Being a cruddy quality wedding photographer may enable you to say you are a pro - but I personally don't think it is right to do so.

In my mind pro's are experts - not just people who make a living at it.

Keanu Reeves is a professional actor - doesn't mean he is any good! :)

[Persian-Rice]

Keanu Reeves is a professional actor - doesn't mean he is any good! :)

Woah! hahahahahahaha

[aam1234]

Keanu Reeves is a professional actor - doesn't mean he is any good! :)

Good one :lol: :lol: or the other guy, what's him name...he is into martial arts and he is from Belgium....something Vandam.

PR, thanks. I thought he will be taking photos.

[dewmuw]

I hope there are no Keanu fans out there! :)


Jean Claude Vandamme! How that guy has never won an Oscar.......

[aam1234]

Jean Claude Vandamme! How that guy has never won an Oscar.......

Ha ha, another good one. Notice how many words he says in a whole movie, maybe a dozen.

[dewmuw]

Ha ha, another good one. Notice how many words he says in a whole movie, maybe a dozen.

He is known as 'The Muscles from Brussels" enough said. Although come to think of it I can't think of any town that rhymes with Thespian or Actor! :)

[Wazza]

Pro? No.
Never sold an image, only given them to friends/family at the cost of the print.

Perhaps if in the past few weeks, I got paid for everytime someone on the street asked me if I was a pro, I could almost be a millionaire by now. Last time I was asked was in fact last night, whilst shooting a sunset at a beach. And generally get told my camera is very big and bulky (20D+17-40+Lens Hood+Tripod), I guess it does look big to the "real" photographers using their smaller digital cameras. Remember smaller is better. And will take better pictures, and can do 40 shots per memory card.. More than any film ever did. *sarcasm*. I just love saying I can shoot several hundred...
:p

[Moppie]

Can you elaborate on that Andy. Thanks


Pro is also slang for another proffesion, one that has very little to do with photography, unless your looking for an expensive model with "extra" services included :lol:

[aam1234]

:lol: :lol: :lol: got it now.

[thomascanty]

While I have brought in a few hundred dollars with this hobby... er, I mean obsession, I don't think I could consider myself a pro. Not until it has earned me enough to pay for at least 10% of what it has cost me, anyway, and I don't expect that to happen any time soon... :D :mrgreen:

[froman98]

Keanu Reeves is a professional actor - doesn't mean he is any good! :)

Whenever I hear Keanu Reeves' name, all I can think of is:

"I know Kung Fu"

[Bluelens]

Not a pro, but I do end up shooting pictures for a small non-profit magazine that I am a co-owner of. when necessary.