what does 'professionalism' mean to you?

[harroz]

Just wondering- everybody has their own ideas of what professionalism is, so lets hear it, what is it that shows you're a professional? is it the clothes you wear?, the way you are with a client?, the way you shoot?

For me I think it is probably my image quality, my business system, my persona, my experience that gives me the ability to come up with ideas to help my clients get what they want.

I'm sure there is more...

anyway, what say you?

[form]

Passing gas in front of the B&G and blaming it on the bride.

[harroz]

pity I'm already married or I'd hire ya!

Passing gas in front of the B&G and blaming it on the bride.

[sapearl]

A few things that come to mind, not necessarily in this order:

1). Consistent, high quality repeatable results,
2.) Grace under fire,
3.) A cool head in stressful situations,
4.) Sensitivity to the client's wishes and needs,
5.) Ability to anticipate the action and be in the right time at the right place,
6.) Ability to provide a range of services in a timely fashion,
7.) Able to continue to perform even in the face of equipment failure,
8.) A sensitivity to treating the client/surroundings in a respectful manner,
9.) Ability to take the "high road" in the face of client criticism and/or abuse.

[sapearl]

Doesn't this really fall under the category of "bodily ventriloquism?" Otherwise known as the ability to ASSign one's own fart to another?;)

Passing gas in front of the B&G and blaming it on the bride.

[danir.photography]

Going to work when your sick
Going to work when you hate it
Calling people back... quickly
Following through, honoring your commitments
Taking pride in your appearance
Taking pride in your work
Courtesy always to everyone and never letting a person suspect that you hate their guts

[form]

Professionalism has cultural and subjective variations: Some professionals who are really, really good at what they do, dress like slobs and have foul manners. Others are incompetent, but they dress extremely well and behave very courteously. Which one would you rather have handle your wedding? That depends on how important the finished product is to you. Just how important is professionalism, after all?

If I had a choice to become one of those two (but nothing in between), I would choose to be competent - and if I had to choose which one to hire, I would hire the competent person.

Most of us are between those extremes and share partial features of both.

[sapearl]

All very good points Danir..... I see that I missed a few ;).

Going to work when your sick
Going to work when you hate it
Calling people back... quickly
Following through, honoring your commitments
Taking pride in your appearance
Taking pride in your work
Courtesy always to everyone and never letting a person suspect that you hate their guts

[sapearl]

I've been thinking about what you said here Joey....... I think you're confusing a few concepts here. I really don't believe there are significant cultural variations in what constitutes a pro.

Somebody who excels in what he does, is tops in his/her area, outperforms most others and creates a unique product/action, well to me that is a pro. I won't get hung up that much on how somebody dresses, but if they have foul manners and behave in a discourteous manner, to me that is rude and disrespectful.

That person may be an incredible craftsman and one-of-a-kind artist but certainly not a pro. Pro's don't abuse people with their inconsiderate and insensitive behavior.

Professionalism has cultural and subjective variations: Some professionals who are really, really good at what they do, dress like slobs and have foul manners. Others are incompetent, but they dress extremely well and behave very courteously. Which one would you rather have handle your wedding? That depends on how important the finished product is to you. Just how important is professionalism, after all?

If I had a choice to become one of those two (but nothing in between), I would choose to be competent - and if I had to choose which one to hire, I would hire the competent person.

Most of us are between those extremes and share partial features of both.

[tim]

Going to work when your sick
Going to work when you hate it

Working through illness is important, but you have to make sure you have appropriate support.

Working when you hate it means it's time to stop doing what you're doing.

[sapearl]

There is much wisdom in what you say my friend, but I'd be lying if I said I loved every wedding of social event I've ever shot.;)

Some are artistic, some are fun, and most are pretty enjoyable because I do love taking pictures, and it's fun interacting with people. But every now and then there's a bad day or a tiring one and you just muddle through....:rolleyes:

Working through illness is important, but you have to make sure you have appropriate support.

Working when you hate it means it's time to stop doing what you're doing.

[howzitboy]

to me a pro photographer is someone who will get the job done, regardless.. 100% of the time come hell or highwater!

[picturecrazy]

I think Stuart hit it on the nose. Great insight dood!

[harroz]

I agree. It's interesting to see written. Are they usually things that are ingrained? do you do them because they're the right thing to do either personally or because of personal business sense or training?, Anyway, it's nice to see them written down. It's almost like a checklist :)

I think, to be good, they should be like second nature really.

[sapearl]

Thank you kindly Lloyd - appreciate it.:D

To answer your question harroz - much of it comes with age, and jobs, and losing your hair, some of it naturally, some of it during past wedding days. Avatar Stu now has more on top than the real flesh and blood Stu.

And some is certainly "ingrained" from past mistakes I've made. There's nothing like a bad experience to be an excellent object lesson. And a lot of it is just from life's little experiences, and being a family man, and a dad trying to the do the right thing. It's amazing how things learned in one aspect of your life can be very helpful when managing the stresses and challenges in other areas ;).

I think Stuart hit it on the nose. Great insight dood!

[tim]

Professionalism is not hitting on the bridesmaids, or at least being subtle about it.

[sapearl]

Tim, I have a suspicion that you may be referring to another recent wedding post about some rather blatant and obvious photog behaviour.:lol:

Professionalism is not hitting on the bridesmaids, or at least being subtle about it.

[tim]

Tim, I have a suspicion that you may be referring to another recent wedding post about some rather blatant and obvious photog behaviour.:lol:

Mate i've heard some stories, and probably started some too.

[sapearl]

...nnnaaaahhhh... you're the pro's straight shooter :lol:.

Mate i've heard some stories, and probably started some too.

[bnlearle]

For me, professionalism means doing my job excellently. It just all depends on what we define as our job as wedding photographers. Here's what it is for me...

Punctuality.
Be a joy to be around. If you aren't, why would people want to be around you?
Knock the photos out of the park.
Give the client confidence in your work - to where some of the payment is for the peace of mind they receive.

I'm sure there's more, but this is generally why my clients hire me :)

Bobby