Amatuer or Professional?

[Mercy299]

Can someone tell me what makes one a professional? (Other than the quality of their photos.) I know that a pro in excellent in their field. When does one become pro? Do they have to have some schooling or can they learn from sites like this, reading books and practice, practice, practice?

[Rigrider]

I'm gonna get slammed for this, but truth is, it dosen't matter what your photo's look like. If all of your photo's are complete garbage, but someone is paying you for them anyway, then you're a pro. Perdiod. Professional, means getting paid for the work. Professionalism, or Pro quality is differant all together!

L8r,

[MCB]

If you get paid to do something you're a professional. If you don't, you're an amateur. There's a huge range of talent and experience in both groups. I'm sure we've all seen amateur work that is amazing and could certainly be sold. And then there are some professionals...

[Curtis N]

When you get paid for your work and have the self-confidence to feel like you earned it.

[Ballen Photo]

I'm gonna get slammed for this, but truth is, it dosen't matter what your photo's look like. If all of your photo's are complete garbage, but someone is paying you for them anyway, then you're a pro. Perdiod. Professional, means getting paid for the work. Professionalism, or Pro quality is differant all together!

That about sums it up. ;)
-Bruce

[CyberPet]

Although I think it's more than just "getting paid". I've gotten paid now three times for pictures I've taken (going to be a fourth and fifth soon too) and I don't consider myself a pro anyway. I might have a professional onlock on what I do and treat my clients professionally, but I'm not a professional. I don't make a living out of this. So I'm an amateur that gets paid.

[sdommin]

These terms get confused often, because each word has two meanings. There is the obvious meaning where a professional gets paid and an amateur does not. Then there is the other definition where "professional" means good, quality work, and the word "amateur" has connotations of bad, sloppy work.

We've all seen examples of someone who gets paid for taking awful photographs (a "professional") and someone who takes wonderful photographs because he/she enjoys doing that for no money (an "amateur"). Likewise, there are "professionals" who take truly great photos, and "amateurs" who take lousy photos. These people fit both definitions - good photos for pay, and bad photos for no pay.

[Hellashot]

Just like in sports - amatuers don't/can't get paid and pros do get paid.

[Duder]

you're a professional when photography is your profession.

[Moments]

When your full time profession is photography you are a professional photographer.

If you have a full time job and photography is someting that you do part time and as extra work, the you are as in any other buisness "moonlighting, partime, etc".

Sorry but I get tired of seeing people here saying I'm now a Pro because I sold a print or shot a portrait or wedding.

I even did not consider myself a Professional Photographer while I was working as an assistant for a Fashion Photographer in NYC for 3 years. Yes I shot some of my own jobs, but it was not until I was making my living by my-self shooting for my own clients that I considered my-self a Professional Photographer.

And yes many non-pros have better work than many pros.

[annayu]

Can someone tell me what makes one a professional? (Other than the quality of their photos.) I know that a pro in excellent in their field. When does one become pro? Do they have to have some schooling or can they learn from sites like this, reading books and practice, practice, practice?

You know you are a professional when the Tax Office says you are and expects you to pay them...
:)

[ScottE]

An amateur is a person who does photography for the joy of it.

A professional is a person who has to either take pictures customers want to buy or starve.

[lostdoggy]

I don't know the Tax law very very well but, in the US to become a professional photographer or any profession one most earn at least 50% of their Gross Earn Income to be consider a professional. Even if you sold a photo to good old aunt Betsy for $200, because she loves you, that does not make you a professional, but if you earn less then $200 other then the photo you sold then you are a professional for that tax year.