professional or wannabe?

MissB · July 10, 2009

:dunno I had to fill out an application today for the littlest heros project... which by the was is an amazing way to volunteer your skills to families of sick or dying children.

Anyway... the application asked me what level photographer I am.. I have made a growing business out my work.. but I've only been doing this for 6 months. At what point can I call myself a professional photographer???

mercphoto · July 10, 2009

MissB wrote:

I have made a growing business out my work.. but I've only been doing this for 6 months. At what point can I call myself a professional photographer???

And your problem with saying that now is what exactly?

Qarik · July 10, 2009

MissB wrote:

I had to fill out an application today for the littlest heros project... which by the was is an amazing way to volunteer your skills to families of sick or dying children.

Anyway... the application asked me what level photographer I am.. I have made a growing business out my work.. but I've only been doing this for 6 months. At what point can I call myself a professional photographer???

when you get paid for a gig..you are officially a "professional". I would add that you need some confidence in your work as well.

sweet caroline · July 10, 2009

From what I've seen, your work is good. You are also diligently growing your business. It's up to you whether you want to say semi pro or pro, I guess, but you are no longer in the amateur category.

My vote is for pro.

Caroline

MissB · July 10, 2009

wow... I swear I wasn't looking for all the compliments...but wow thank you!!!

Toshido · July 10, 2009

I call myself a professional photographer.

I have had one paying gig so far. I have not been paid for that job, and it happened well over a month ago.

I am trying to grow my web presence to slowly grow my business. Due to some unrelated nonsense I may be relocating soon so have put holds on trying to grow further.

Seems you are closer to the ideal that we would call professional than I am.

On another note though... What is littlest heroes? I am curious from you very limited description. I am considering volunteering for "now I lay me down to sleep" but still thinking about the emotional impact both on me and my family.

barnyard · July 11, 2009

I started calling myself a professional when the majority of my income came from photography. Most of that had to do with the confidence that comes with pay from satisfied customers.

I have not done a gig for pay in over 5 years and as such, no longer refer to myself as a professional. If someone asks, "former studio owner," is my reply.

Tom B

Nikolai · July 12, 2009

MissB wrote:

I had to fill out an application today for the littlest heros project... which by the was is an amazing way to volunteer your skills to families of sick or dying children.

Anyway... the application asked me what level photographer I am.. I have made a growing business out my work.. but I've only been doing this for 6 months. At what point can I call myself a professional photographer???

If you have to ask - definitely not a professional.

MissB · July 12, 2009

Nikolai wrote:

If you have to ask - definitely not a professional.

yikes!

MissB · July 12, 2009

I certianly don't have a problem calling myself a professional photographer. And I am making money off of my work... the confidence is there. I just wasn't sure if there was an added process to go thru until I was actually dubbed "professional photographer" IE: license, certificate..yada yada.. I used to be a paramedic and went thru several years of college to acheive this. If a basic level emt went thru a seminar and did a few advanced life support skills ... then came out calling himself a paramedic.. I would have been offended. I guess I don't want to offend professional photographers by labeling myself something im not. I think that the talent is there.. and im making a go of it. I was just wondering, is their a hard and fast rule of making that transition?

know what i mean?? Just trying to be conciderate.

Toshido · July 12, 2009

Miss B I fully understand what you are talking about.

I left a millwright apprenticeship for family reasons and that is why I have turned to photography.

but Photography is definitely not a controlled trade or occupation. Anyone can call themselves a professional and it will be up to peers and clients to judge the validity of that statement.

Nikolai · July 13, 2009

Professional is somebody who draws more than half of his or her sustainable annual income from the said trade. Plain and simple. It has nothing to do with the quality of one's work (although it's hard to sustain an income if you're bad at your skill) or anything else.
And I have already mentioned the litmus test: if you have to ask - you're not.

Art Scott · July 13, 2009

MissB wrote:

I certianly don't have a problem calling myself a professional photographer. And I am making money off of my work... the confidence is there. I just wasn't sure if there was an added process to go thru until I was actually dubbed "professional photographer" IE: license, certificate..yada yada.. I used to be a paramedic and went thru several years of college to acheive this. If a basic level emt went thru a seminar and did a few advanced life support skills ... then came out calling himself a paramedic.. I would have been offended. I guess I don't want to offend professional photographers by labeling myself something im not. I think that the talent is there.. and im making a go of it. I was just wondering, is their a hard and fast rule of making that transition?

know what i mean?? Just trying to be conciderate.

How about a "PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST"......

Scott_Quier · July 13, 2009

MissB - consider these definitons:

(1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or tehical standards fo a profession
(2) : exhibitin a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace/work environment

Do you meet or exceed these qualifications? If so than there's your answer.

I would suspect, given that you are a going and growing business concern, that you are indeed a professional. If you weren't treating your clients right, you would not be growing. QED

xxclixxx · July 13, 2009

Depends on who you are talking to, with an average person "professional" is nothing about income but results. They want a "professional" look. But others will look at the business side income/# clients, etc.

In my opinion, a professional does need to be generating income from their work. But I wouldn't say there is a % level or magic number that makes you "pro".

snaptie2002 · July 13, 2009

xxclixxx wrote:

But I wouldn't say there is a % level or magic number that makes you "pro".

Oh yes.......there is a magic percentage. You are undeniably a professional photographer when you are 110% out of money!

Marty

emeraldrose · July 13, 2009

snaptie2002 wrote:

Oh yes.......there is a magic percentage. You are undeniably a professional photographer when you are 110% out of money!

Marty

MissB · July 13, 2009

snaptie2002 wrote:

Oh yes.......there is a magic percentage. You are undeniably a professional photographer when you are 110% out of money!

Marty

ROTHFMAO!!! yeah!!! i've found my answer!

JAG · July 13, 2009

snaptie2002 wrote:

Oh yes.......there is a magic percentage. You are undeniably a professional photographer when you are 110% out of money!

Marty

I resemble that remark!!hahaha!:D

frewhl · July 13, 2009

An out of town relator needed shots of a skyscraper, inside and out.
The customer was out of state.
My brother set it up for me because his friends husband was the relator.

I shot a bunch of the outside, went in to meet the property manager, there was a bank involved, and he was going to escort me to other "friendly" tenants offices.

Him, "are you going to go out to get your equipment?"

Me, "I have my camera in my pocket."

My Cannon powershot did the job, A1A.

If I called myself a pro, and was going to a "will never happen again event", I would probably bring spare cameras to make sure I came home with something.

Jeremy Winterberg · July 14, 2009

I generate money from my business, but I do not consider myself a professional. I work professionally, charge reasonably, and am getting more clients all the time.

But, compared to the professionals on here, and the ones I know personally... I'm no where near as talented as them. Nikolai, Heather , both Scotts, Jeff, etc.. those are professionals.

my $0.02

Nikolai · July 14, 2009

Jeremy Winterberg wrote:

I generate money from my business, but I do not consider myself a professional. I work professionally, charge reasonably, and am getting more clients all the time.

But, compared to the professionals on here, and the ones I know personally... I'm no where near as talented as them. Nikolai, Heather , both Scotts, Jeff, etc.. those are professionals.

my $0.02

Jeremy, man, thanks for the plug, but I'm *not* a professional photographer. I do try to act like one to my customers/models and I may on occasion deliver a result that would not suck too much, but it's not my *trade*, at least not yet. I'm a mathematician by education and a computer programmer by trade (albeit currently an unemployed one, lol:-).

The word "professional" apparently has some "aura", since it's often used as a synonym for a "great quality" and "great service". So many of us strive to deliver "professional results" while maintaining an alternative trade as a bread-provider. Yet I honestly think that a person asking "am I a professional" is akin to a kid with a Burger King tiara on, asking mommy "am I a king?". The answer most likely will be "yes, of course, dear", but we all know the truth...

Similarly, just my 0.0002 of the f/stop :-)

Jeremy Winterberg · July 14, 2009

Nikolai wrote:

Jeremy, man, thanks for the plug, but I'm *not* a professional photographer. I do try to act like one to my customers/models and I may on occasion deliver a result that would not suck too much, but it's not my *trade*, at least not yet. I'm a mathematician by education and a computer programmer by trade (albeit currently an unemployed one, lol:-).

The word "professional" apparently has some "aura", since it's often used as a synonym for a "great quality" and "great service". So many of us strive to deliver "professional results" while maintaining an alternative trade as a bread-provider. Yet I honestly think that a person asking "am I a professional" is akin to a kid with a Burger King tiara on, asking mommy "am I a king?". The answer most likely will be "yes, of course, dear", but we all know the truth...

Similarly, just my 0.0002 of the f/stop :-)

well... If you're unemployed, and all you're doing is photography out of your home... wouldn't that be your trade?

And don't be modest! I've seen your work, its amazing. When you're leading workshops, and people want to learn from you, that says something

Nikolai · July 14, 2009

Jeremy Winterberg wrote:

well... If you're unemployed, and all you're doing is photography out of your home... wouldn't that be your trade?

And don't be modest! I've seen your work, its amazing. When you're leading workshops, and people want to learn from you, that says something

It's just a temporary setback... I'm simply looking for a very good job, that's why it takes time. And even at that my UE check (which comes from my programming earnings) is way more than I ever averaged from photography

Speaking of workshops... Hmm, maybe it's time for another one.... I'm totally available...:-) Any takers?

Jeremy Winterberg · July 14, 2009

Nikolai wrote:

Speaking of workshops... Hmm, maybe it's time for another one.... I'm totally available...:-) Any takers?

yeah if you'll come to wisconsin! lol

mtmcelvy · July 14, 2009

Toshido wrote:

I call myself a professional photographer.
On another note though... What is littlest heroes? I am curious from you very limited description. I am considering volunteering for "now I lay me down to sleep" but still thinking about the emotional impact both on me and my family.

I work at a local hospital and take photo's on occasion for newborns. About a year ago we had a fetal demise(death) and there was no one available from "Now I lay me down to sleep". The manager of the department called and explained the situation and asked if I thought it was something I could "handle" being a new father. I don't have it in me to say no to someone in that situation, so I had my wife bring my gear and was allowed to leave work early. I went up to the floor and was immediatly met by the manager and chaplain. They showed me the brochure form "Now I lay me down to sleep" so I could get an idea of what they do picture wise. We went back to the "nursery"(we don't actually have a nursery, all the babies stay in the room with the parents) to see the baby. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. We took photos in the nursery and then the parents decided they wanted pics with the baby. It was very emotional and is something I think about everytime I go up for newborn pictures. I considered signing up for NILMDTS but decided it was a little more then I could handle(emotionaly). I met the parents and delivered prints that they used at the funeral and a CD. It was very satisfying on a personal level to be able to provide that service and memory for the parents.

I will say to anyone considering doing this, it does stick with you so make sure that it is something you feal you can handle and cope with.

sorry for the long post!

raptorcaptor · July 16, 2009

Most of the definitions of "Professional photographer" that I have seen have been based on a percentage of your income that comes from photography, and not your skill level. NANPA was 90% of your income, and Audubon magazine was over $5000 per year. I'm sure some of the other photo organizations have their own definitions!

I don't think you should have any reservations of calling yourself a professional if this is what you are making your living from! Even for only six months!

professional or wannabe?

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