WHen is one a "pro" photog!?

Hogloff wrote in post #11357782
Why? Maybe she is delivering exactly what her client base wants. Not every client out there wants to blow $500 on portraits. Sometimes a mitt full of shots on a CD to be posted on facebook is all that is required.

No business licence... Check

No business insurance... Check

No tax ID... Check

Crap, inconsistant work... Check(thats the biggie IMO)

Facebook page full of friends and family that praise her merely by association... Check

Yup, definitely NOT a pro.

Tee Why wrote in post #11360824
Sage Ken Rockwell puts it all in perspective.

He makes some good points and some incredibly stupid ones at the same time... Which is why I still think he is a blathering idiot...

My $0.02 is that you are a professional once the industry considers you one, not when YOU consider yourself one.

DanielFotografie wrote in post #11364817
My $0.02 is that you are a professional once the industry considers you one, not when YOU consider yourself one.

A similar controversy surrounds interior designers.

In Ontario, Canada, the government passed a bill for the creation of an association for registered interior designers, named ARIDO.

http://www.arido.ca/hi​story.php

Only designers that meet ARIDO standards and become ceritfied, can legally used the title of "Interior Designer", in Ontario.
It is actually a legal offense to use the title without ARIDO certification, here.

It helps distinguish the 'pros' from the 'amateurs'.

I think it was a great solution, for professionals, and for clients needing those services.

I have no idea if a similar thing exists for photography.

.

it really took me a while to come to terms that i am a pro. i think part of it is because of all the wannabe's who say they are a photographer...like one out of three people.

i've always had the gear, and even when shooting weddings and getting paid i was still reluctant to call myself a pro.

this year i finally came to terms with it and accepted it. i still cringe at some of the people who call themselves pro though.

One way to consider it is as a personal mental commitment: To be serious about treating photography as a business rather than a "hobby with benefits." Part of that attitude really is about the money: When you demand serious money, you can no longer have the attitude of, "It was cheap, so it's okay if it's not any good." When you demand serious money, you know you have to deliver, and that requires a professional attitude. As long as you're only asking for chump change, you can continue to play act.

Jeffro250 wrote in post #11364186
No business licence... Check

No business insurance... Check

No tax ID... Check

Crap, inconsistant work... Check(thats the biggie IMO)

Facebook page full of friends and family that praise her merely by association... Check

Yup, definitely NOT a pro.

OK. So the business licence, insurance and tax ID you can buy...that is easy. As far as Crap work...that is up to the client to decide. If the client is happy...who the hell are you to say it is crap.

So it looks like from your definition, you can buy yourself into being a PRO.

Hogloff wrote in post #11367426
OK. So the business licence, insurance and tax ID you can buy...that is easy. As far as Crap work...that is up to the client to decide. If the client is happy...who the hell are you to say it is crap.

So it looks like from your definition, you can buy yourself into being a PRO.

You quoted me and asked "Why?" and I gave you my answer. Obviously you disagree and thats your prerogative.

I think you need to go back and re-read what I posted though. Obviously you want to argue just for the sake of arguing since I never even gave my definition of a "pro". Trying to put words into my mouth, which you tried to do with your last sentence, is just absurd...

PS... No, you can't buy your way into being a professional photographer. Though, most do spend a hell of a lot of money to get there. I did get a small laugh out of that one.

korrektor wrote in post #11351909
a pro can will shoot well every time.

Wow, I guess that rules out 98% of the NBA...