definition of Pro

Just wondering what the definition of a 'professional' photographer is versus 'amateur'...
I've heard 'professional' is when you make a living at it.

Asked and Debated a brazillion times around here.

This has been discussed a lot. Pretty much the synopsis of hundreds if not thousands of posts is...

Some people think a pro is indicative of a certain level of skill.

Some people think a pro has a certain business sense and professional attitude.

Some people think a pro just makes a living doing it.

Usually someone brings up the mention of mastering a craft vs being a professional.

Usually definitions from dictionaries are brought up.

Occasionally someone mentions that amateur means something along the lines of "for the love" of the craft.

... Long story short, different people have different opinions.

Was hoping to quote wikipedia and provide a swooping clears-all-debates answer.

Unfortunately, the wikipedia article on 'professional' must have been written by members of this forum

christoph33r wrote in post #10128294
Was hoping to quote wikipedia and provide a swooping clears-all-debates answer.

Unfortunately, the wikipedia article on 'professional' must have been written by members of this forum

Wikipedia can be changed

Professional: Makes a living

Semi-pro: Makes some money, but not enough to quit their day job

Amateur or hobbiest: can be as good and in some instances better than some professionals, but chose not to pursue photography for financial gain.

I am an example of a semi-pro.

I donno

I think a really short skirt, nylons with the lines that run up the back, maybe a bit to much make up....

I know a few photographers who make a living from it but are far from professionals...so it can mean so many things, there's a lot more than just making money. The guy who needs new clients all the time because they can never get a repeat customer is far from professional, so can mean a lot of things.

Some photography contests judge the difference between the amateur category and professional category to be a matter of the amount of money earned in one year. In one contest I recall it saying that if you made more than $1000 in that year with your photography, you had to enter the professional category.

I define a pro as someone who pays the bills from it. Pro quality, on the other hand, is qualitative and many more people are at that "level" than actually being their main paying job to bring food on the table and pay the bills.

Nearly finished first box of popcorn.
Starting on choc top.
Now, to sit back and enjoy the show

SnapLocally.com wrote in post #10129439
Professional: Makes a living

Semi-pro: Makes some money, but not enough to quit their day job

Amateur or hobbiest: can be as good and in some instances better than some professionals, but chose not to pursue photography for financial gain.

I am an example of a semi-pro.

That is a good definition ---^

The word "Professional" does not mean talented/good as some seem to think.

hqqns wrote in post #10130352
The word "Professional" does not mean talented/good as some seem to think.

There's a lot of editors who will not agree with that thought.

MJPhotos24 wrote in post #10130404
There's a lot of editors who will not agree with that thought.

Doesn't matter if they agree or not.