One day I would love to make my hobby into a profession. I would love to be able to take photos for a living...ultimately living the dream :)
So it got me thinking what is it that differentiates a professional photographer from a amateur or hobbiest.
Is it your education/knowledge, talent, equipment, amount of good shots per shoot (20% usable v's 80%), getting paid for your photo's, how seriously you take photography...or all of the above or little of this and a little of that?
Do you have to study at tafe or Uni to enter the business or can you learn yourself and through others.
What is it that you think makes a photographer a professional, when did you start calling yourself a professional (if you do)?
Sorry if it is a naive/silly question but being new to it all I am a little naive...hence the question ;)
Thanks
Technically I would say a professional is someone who gets paid for their photos or to take photos, though in reality its more than that. To be able to get paid you have to be able to take more good shots than bad, which probably means you have either spent a lot of time teaching yourself or going on courses, but either way have technical skills.
I'm like you, I would like to be a photographer as my profession. I have been asked to take photos for people, but I don't charge or only cover costs.
This is not a silly question at all. It is a debate with many different sides. To be professional I believe you must first understand the basics uses of light and exposure, how to control them to create your images. Then you must have a confidence in your ablities (this is what I must work on). In order to take truly pro shots there is some equipment needs and that will depend on what type of images you want to create. From there if you have a customer base and a business plan I believe you can call yourself a pro. Until you have these things you can due what I do. I tell my clients that I am a serious photographer working towards going pro and for now I am building my portfolio. I charge little to nothing for now.
a professional of anything is someone who makes the majority of their income from doing a specific job, its no different for photography, however In this day and age the reality for a professional photographer is usually someone who works long hours for peanuts often taking unimaginative shots for people in suits to strict deadlines in some cruddy locations with whatever equipment you can lay your hands on which is good enough pitting yourself against armies of others that will do the job for even less than you some of them for free, the only way to make real money out of photography is find a Niche that no one else has filled.If you can do that you are laughing, The problem with many people is that they expect to be able to take the photos they want where they want and when they want and make heaps of money from it when in reality its doesn't seem to work like that. to make a living as a professional photographer you must really have passion for what you do above and beyond taking nice photos if you have that then you can make a living but unless you are really lucky or extremely good dont expect to make a fortune. if this puts you off then I would stick with another job and carry on with creating art, if it doesn't though then go for it if nothing it is an experience :)
There are many ways to interpret this question and answer it.... there are far too many people who call themselves "professional photographers," and to be honest, their photography is total crap :-/ No real way to sugar coat it. I think one way to help determine if you're ready or not is be getting lots of critique from others whose work you admire and whose photography seems on a "professional" level. And the critique must be real and honest... no fluff. I've seen lots of people ask for their photography to be critiqued, only to receive lots of "great" and "beautiful" comments, and truly, IMO, the photograph was nothing more than a snapshot and there was nothing special about it. It's hard to receive honest criticism, but really, I think it's the only way to learn and grow as a photographer :) That being said, I'm a math teacher, LOL :)
Oh, and one more thing, if you're getting results SOOC that are good enough to skip some sort of editing program all together, you're on the right track. The closer in camera your photo is to being great, the closer you are to being on level with a "professional." Just my opinion, of course :)
@snippets I agree. I am trying really hard to make it thru my online courses and only post SOOC. Very seldom do I PS unless the photo needs it or calls for it. I have to master SOOC, before I would ever consider being more than a amatuer. Some have it naturally, some are taught. Its alot to learn and alot to take in. Most of the books I use have projects at the end of each chapter. That seems to help alot.
I'm like you, I would like to be a photographer as my profession.If you see my work that's not a pro work but still people ask me to take their photos.I think self learning is the best,But ya you need some basic knowledge of how things work after that carry on with your own style.
I think one should take them self as a professional when " they" and only they think that " Yes! you are now ready". and ya some people back up won't hurt...
I still think i have to learn more n more...Don't see any pro touch in my pictures yet.( blushing)
A professional is someone who derives the majority of their income from a particular field. Talent is not part of the equation. Should be, perhaps. Most professional organizations' requirements are about degrees, certifications and/or income.
@snippets ooh, I like that you don't sugar coat. If you're bored one day and want to come on over and critique some pictures in my project I would love it. And no fluff, I want actual critique! I want to get better and hearing the truth about what I'm doing is the best way! :) Seriously, if you get bored.
I think about this a lot at the moment too Lisa, and I worry about 'success'.. what if I try and I'm not successful? So, I think first of all I need to work out what success would be to me.. and I'm a pretty simple girl, I think to be successful, I would need to be busy, happy with the quality of the work I'm doing, I would need to know I'm making the families happy, and I would need to be making enough money for it to be worthwhile. BUT, if the money side never happens, I guess I won't be a professional.. but you know what? That's ok. I will still be doing something I really love, I'll just need a day job too :) When I think of a professional photographer, qualifications or fancy gear means little to me... their images speak for themself. I am really impressed with all your photos you've been taking.. I think you have massive potential.. and should follow your dreams x
Thank you so much for all your answers. It does seem that being a 'professional' is a little open to each person interpretation but with many of the same aspects.
It is wonderful to be among other budding photographers ;)
@asrai you make it sound like such an inviting profession to be in lol. I think a lot of jobs can be like that, the fantasy is more glamouras than the reality. It would be nice to find that little niche one day.
@snippets I agree with you, and I would like some honest critique of my work. Knowing where you are going wrong helps you to move forward and learn.
@mandiijones Thanks Mandii. I hope we both achieve that dream :)
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I'm like you, I would like to be a photographer as my profession. I have been asked to take photos for people, but I don't charge or only cover costs.
I think one should take them self as a professional when " they" and only they think that " Yes! you are now ready". and ya some people back up won't hurt...
I still think i have to learn more n more...Don't see any pro touch in my pictures yet.( blushing)
It is wonderful to be among other budding photographers ;)
@asrai you make it sound like such an inviting profession to be in lol. I think a lot of jobs can be like that, the fantasy is more glamouras than the reality. It would be nice to find that little niche one day.
@snippets I agree with you, and I would like some honest critique of my work. Knowing where you are going wrong helps you to move forward and learn.
@mandiijones Thanks Mandii. I hope we both achieve that dream :)