When do you go from amateur to professional?

What makes someone a "professional" photographer?

When you feel your work is really good and people are asking you to shoot their kids/family AND are willing to pay.

Not sure if this is the correct answer but it is what I did!

When you make money with photos on a constant basis.

canonnoob wrote in post #10914424
When you make money with photos on a constant basis.

I think you mean consistent, but otherwise yes. Being professional isn't necessarily about the quality of your photos--it's about getting paid for them or to take them, acting professionally (i.e., not inappropriately), and having the appropriate gear (not necessarily the best, but the gear that will get the job done and having backups of said gear).

I have been getting paid for my photography for about 6 years. So being a "professional" doesn't have anything to do with schooling or having a degree?

Traci wrote in post #10914849
I have been getting paid for my photography for about 6 years. So being a "professional" doesn't have anything to do with schooling or having a degree?

Nope. It has to do with getting paid to do photography. I'm pretty sure a HUGE number of pros do not have schooling.

Like me! I have a degree in Computer Science and Mathematics, and a Masters in Engineering

Am I a pro?

That's great, thank you so much!!

Traci wrote in post #10914849
I have been getting paid for my photography for about 6 years. So being a "professional" doesn't have anything to do with schooling or having a degree?

Nope. Though some would define it as making 51% or more of your income from photography (I wouldn't define it that way).

The term professional can mean a lot of things. In the traditional sense, it means someone who has a degree or advanced training or expertise in an area. It can also mean that you are doing something with the intent to gain monetarily. Typically when people hear the term "professional photographer" they assume that this person has a greater knowledge and understanding when it comes to taking pictures and running a business than the average person. However, with the explosion of digital photography and the influx of new photographers over the last decade, that is not always the case.

Today there are an awful lot of individuals out there who market themselves as "Professional Photographers" but would be put to shame by hobbyists and other lay people who are able to produce a much higher quality of work.

There is also a social element to calling yourself a Professional. This has to do with how you conduct yourself with clients, colleagues, vendors, etc. Even the way you dress is an external criteria to how professional you are perceived to be. If a professional photographer showed up for a wedding in cut off jean shorts, a raggedy old t-shirt, flip-flops, and hair looking like a rats nest, then you would have a hard time convincing the guests he/she was an actual professional.

I agree, getting paid for taken pictures is my idea of professional. I am justn ow considering myself proffesional after 4 years. I am getting more calls, more shoots and now have backup equipment.

Traci,when your work looks like the images you have posted here, and on your website, you are a professional! The work you do with kids is beautifull, puts a smile on my face every time. I wish I could do that with my son. Thanks for posting!

W900 wrote in post #11148171
Traci,when your work looks like the images you have posted here, and on your website, you are a professional! The work you do with kids is beautifull, puts a smile on my face every time. I wish I could do that with my son. Thanks for posting!

See, this is what confuses things. You CAN take great images and NOT BE PROFESSIONAL, and many people prefer it that way. There are many professionals (i.e., make a living from photography) who are not great photographers, and there are many great photographers who do not make their living from photography.

Very good points Markitos. I thought about it for awhile before I posted. I am NOT a pro. When I see someone that has the talent,a website, and tells people they are getting paid for services provided, I look at them as a professional. I do know of people in the catagories you listed, and I KNOW there ARE alot of people that are great photogs that are not pros and wish to stay that way. Call it personal preference.

When you can pay all your bills w/ just your photos...

caught14 wrote in post #11002349
The term professional can mean a lot of things. In the traditional sense, it means someone who has a degree or advanced training or expertise in an area. It can also mean that you are doing something with the intent to gain monetarily. Typically when people hear the term "professional photographer" they assume that this person has a greater knowledge and understanding when it comes to taking pictures and running a business than the average person. However, with the explosion of digital photography and the influx of new photographers over the last decade, that is not always the case.

Today there are an awful lot of individuals out there who market themselves as "Professional Photographers" but would be put to shame by hobbyists and other lay people who are able to produce a much higher quality of work.

There is also a social element to calling yourself a Professional. This has to do with how you conduct yourself with clients, colleagues, vendors, etc. Even the way you dress is an external criteria to how professional you are perceived to be. If a professional photographer showed up for a wedding in cut off jean shorts, a raggedy old t-shirt, flip-flops, and hair looking like a rats nest, then you would have a hard time convincing the guests he/she was an actual professional.

To me... This. 100%
Especially the part about meaning one who has greater knowledge and understanding / expertise about taking pictures...

I don't know how anyone can honestly call themselves a professional when they don't understand the elements of photography.... and just shoots hoping everything will be fine and just fix what's not in photoshop.