Archive 2013 · CPS Eligibility Requirements

ComicDom1
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p.6 #1 · p.6 #1 · CPS Eligibility Requirements

Very Good Point!

So if you are shooting with your Camera Phone you better have two!

!

Jason

Feb 15, 2013 at 12:29 AM

StillFingerz
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p.6 #2 · p.6 #2 · CPS Eligibility Requirements

RobertLynn wrote:
I also have questions regarding it (and they've never answered them)

What is their definition of full-time? Is it 40 hours a week? Is it x amount of shutter clicks?
Is it only time holding a camera? Does it count editing/travel/client meetings/business related items?

There's times that I am in my car going to and from events longer than I'm shooting and editing them.

This is the question that really needs defining, full-time, and isn't clearly defined. Here is the current CPS definition...

'Gold Membership offers the seasoned imaging professional support for virtually every technical and creative issue that may arise. Whether you require live 24/7 emergency phone support, expedited repair and loaner coverage, on-site support at select events and shows, or the opportunity to evaluate the latest professional equipment, CPS Gold has you covered. Please see below for full details.'

'Membership is available to individuals (self-employed or employed with a professional imaging company) who play a direct role in the creation of moving or still images on a full-time basis. Applicants must meet Canon equipment requirements to enroll. The fee for CPS Gold membership is $100 annually.'

...

I'm not out in the public shooting on a daily basis, but when required do use my home studio to produce product images of the designer clothes and jewelry that my better half has hand-made for the last 20yrs. She has a business, it's not full-time, was a hobby at first but became a for sale, for profit, successful small business. Alterations and such are also part of efforts/profits. She's a 'professional' senior level IT specialist; her day job, but has won multiple awards at 'professional' local groups that include all level of sewers, beginners to old-timers.

I'm her product photographer, her only photographer, mostly only shoot after a deliverable is completed, not many want to see the process of designing a garment, cutting the panels out, fittings, adjustments, etc. So my involvement is not daily, it's not time dependent but it's mandatory that product shots be produced for advertising purposes; in-house and for show.

I've shot seriously for 35 plus years, not for profit, secondary to my 'profession' which is software development. Not sold a single print, given many away, my intent was to just shoot and have folks perhaps enjoy my efforts. When healthy I've shot each day, but again not for profit. I'd like to think given my dedication to this craft that my 'skill' level, knowledge and use of my gear, my darkroom and now digital PP skills are top-notch, and growing.

I'm a serious hobbyist, sometimes a part-time working, serious photographer for pay. Where do I fit into this notion of 'Professional'? I paid for a CPS membership in early 2012 after not doing so, and have since not done so due to inactivity because of severe health issues.

To those that question what professional or full-time means, I'd like to hear from you. Intent is my obvious query, it's never been about profit, although some monies are made. I haven't shrunk from my studies, refinements, gear required to create the best images possible. This, photography, is my only serious hobby, it's not a trivial pursuit, my intent is pure, to be my absolute best at image making.

I'm not out in the field due to my wheelchair boundness and my injury level, both present sever barriers to being a full-time photographer, sitting behind a computer pays the bills and more and that's where I've lived these last few decades.

Where does the 'professional' distinction lay

Gear wise I meet/exceed Platinum requirements, and will continue to. It's not a tough call the label full-time professional, software is my full-time day job and many a night as well. Photography is part-time from a 'time spent doing' perspective, but not in my dedication to this art. So in black and white terms I'm not a 'full-time professional' nor in some eyes should be considered such.

So be it, full-time not, professional yes; without any hesitation said. Doomed to be a Professional Hobbyist, stuck in the middle like many, ethics intact, but still unsure where I stand; as I sit mostly

Cheers,
Jerry

Aug 24, 2014 at 06:58 PM

nrferguson
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p.6 #3 · p.6 #3 · CPS Eligibility Requirements

mcbane wrote:
Why should Canon be unlike other vendors you rely on in your profession? When you need to ship a lens to CPS, does UPS let you cut line to get in front of some shmuck who may just be expressing some cat pics to his mother?

Or about to spend mega bucks on a trip to Antarctica and finds his gear fails three days before he flies!

Aug 25, 2014 at 03:56 AM

R.H. Johnson
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p.6 #4 · p.6 #4 · CPS Eligibility Requirements

1. pro·fes·sion·al adjective \prə-ˈfesh-nəl, -ˈfe-shə-nəl\

: relating to a job that requires special education, training, or skill

: done or given by a person who works in a particular profession

: paid to participate in a sport or activity

Full Definition of PROFESSIONAL

1.
a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession
b : engaged in one of the learned professions
c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession
(2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace

2.
a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs <a professional golfer>
b : having a particular profession as a permanent career <a professional soldier>
c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return <professional football>

3.
: following a line of conduct as though it were a profession <a professional patriot>

— pro·fes·sion·al·ly adverb

First Known Use of PROFESSIONAL

1606

2. professional noun

: someone who does a job that requires special training, education, or skill

: someone who is a member of a profession

: someone who is paid to participate in a sport or activity

: someone who has a lot of experience or skill in a particular job or activity

Full Definition of PROFESSIONAL

: one that is professional; especially : one that engages in a pursuit or activity professionally

adjective adverb noun

it's relatively subjective one's chosen definition of professional. there are many photographers (some here on FM) that aren't generating income on a full-time basis. they surely have a lot of experience & skill in photography and are professional in their craft. i will not degrade them by calling them amateurs.

there are serious hobbyist right here on FM that can shoot circles around some individuals that are receiving financial return from photography and refer to themselves as "professionals". there is even an old phart on FM that owns more equipment than nation geographic and he shoots like a ng photographer. he and i have had our differences but, i would not insult that old phart by referring to him as an amatuer.

the moral of the story; if one can meet the equipment requirements of Canon Professional Services and are by definition a 'professional' in any of the categories of merriam-webster adjective, adverb, or noun (listed above) then by all means sign-up for CPS .

personally, i prefer being referred to as a Master Photographer that is professional in one's craft.

R.H. Johnson II
Master of Light Studios
L.A. Images, Inc.

Edited on Aug 29, 2014 at 10:43 PM · View previous versions

Aug 28, 2014 at 12:10 PM

gdanmitchell
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p.6 #5 · p.6 #5 · CPS Eligibility Requirements

I'd hazard a guess that the majority of CPS members do not make their entire income from photography.

The term "professional" is taken to have a variety of meanings in photography. They might include:

- "serious" photographer

- person with "professional" looking gear

- person who makes some income from some aspect of the photography business

- person who makes some income by selling/licensing photographs

- person whose full time income comes from making photographs and related activities such as writing about photography or presenting workshops

- person whose full time income comes from selling/licensing their photographs.

The last group on that list is far from comprising the majority of CPS membership, I would guess. (To the extent that photography is an "art," it is a lot like many other arts, where there are people whose primary focus is that art but whose primary income comes from other sources — the proverbial "day gig" — and even folks whose work is exemplary but who don't rely on it for income.)

Dan

Aug 28, 2014 at 12:27 PM

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