rebelxtnewbie wrote:
To me:

Pro: Makes a living off of their work
Semi-Pro: Make supplemental income off their work
Enthusiast: Uses pro gear but little or no income
Amatures: Shoots for fun

It doesn't define skill though.

I like this summary, it's simple and concise. I'm a semi-pro. I like to think that I approach photography in a professional matter.

btw, why does it matter? you can either take a great shot or you can't

Similarly, you can either address the original poster's question, or not. If not, why bother?

I told myself when I bought my 30D that within 2 years, I'll be doing paid work. Since I am laid up from surgery, I've extended that 3 months (so by April of 2010, I'll have to do paid work).

Since I'll be shooting some little league games soon, and the parents may purchase prints from me...I may be a pro sooner.

jcolwell

i did, see post further up

rbranan, your "post further up" has nothing to do with my comment on your post further down.

I realized I was a pro when people said I should be paid for my work and did.
I realized I was an artist when people thought my having gotten the perfect moment on film was a kind of a miracle I made happen...when all the individual moments in the frame met at the same time to form a complete unified world...truth be told, I don't always know exactly how it happens either...
As to what makes a quality photog, I've always thought it was the degree of self-reflection and self-critique that helps to know which 10% of my shots are really good.

Most people are a "pro" at something. Do you think professional people continually question their own abilities, or have to remind others of their professional status? Acting professional at what you do goes without saying. The art end of photography is always in the eye of the beholder, client or not. Show your portfolio to the ASMP or PPA if you want official recognition.

I think a pro would be someone that lives for the perfect shot and their heart and soul are dedicated to the art of photography not only the capture of the shot but the willingness to help others to learn and capture the perfect shot .... making money is just a perk all be it a good perk still just a perk

to stand up in front of people and say " I'm a pro " is saying i make my living from photography ...... but to have people say he is a pro about you is to have touched that person with what they think is the pefect capture that is a ........ Pro

spankys1 wrote:
... to stand up in front of people and say " I'm a pro " is saying i make my living from photography
agreed.

Alistair Watson wrote:
Agreed, once you make money from photography, once your work is published, then you are a professional photographer.

My photos have been published in magazines and travel books but I'm far from being a pro... I still make the vast majority of my money doing other things. Like others suggest, it's about the money you make and nothing else IMO.

Terms like "semi-pro" are just silly IMO... you can have multiple professions at once, no problem. No need to define anything as "semi". It just smacks of desperation to belong.

Just being paid makes you a hack. Valuing your reputation more highly than any one gig makes you a pro.

kevin cross wrote:
well, if you want a definition... use a dictionary...

• a person engaged in a specified activity, esp. a sport or branch of the performing arts, as a main paid occupation rather than as a pastime.
• a person competent or skilled in a particular activity : she was a real professional on stage.

I can't think of a good reason why this word would have any different meaning when it comes to a professional photographer than any other profession.

This is what I agree with. When I first started getting paid, I didn't consider myself "pro", just a paid amateur. Once I started feeling competent at the job, then I felt I was getting to be more like a professional. Once I felt completely compentent, then I felt truly confident (which helps when you're shuffling 30 people around at a wedding for "that shot" the bride wants), then I felt I was a pro.

krobatshov wrote:
I've seen lots of pro's without talent in many parts of the world -
Being a pro is one thing, redefining photography, getting the extra ordinary from the ordinary into the frame, however, is the real art of photography -

if you can make a living with photography and - as in some european countries - have a licence to be a pro, then consider yourself as a pro



+1

"rbranan, your "post further up" has nothing to do with my comment on your post further down."

jcowell, you must be a pro--congrats!! btw, nice website. many of us aspire to attain such a status.

A professional photographer is primarily paid & makes their living from the photographs they produce & the service they provide be it for National Geographic or kiddies shots in a mall. If their work is c**p they will soon not survive in the profession. Consistency & ability to produce at a satisfactory level of demand are pre requisites for survival in any profession.
A photograhic pro derives income from the photographic industry having reasonable knowledge of the practical & theoritical aspects of the industry e.g. maybe lecturer in photography. Many photographers I would class as photographic pros as opposed to professional photographers.
In my case as a coach I am a "tennis professional" as opposed to a "professional tennis player" as I no longer have the capacity or ability to be a professional tennis player.

It used to be that pros were the ones who always used a tripod

That and the fact that they understood the most important part of "f/8 and be there" was "be there". Even if it is at an uncomfortable time and place.

- Alan

It's interesting that this post still remains in the Canon Mount SLR forum. A similar non-related topic of mine was immediately moved to the Misc. Forum.

yeah, not much to do with canon cameras. even those nikon guys can be pros i guess, althought it is hard to imagine....

I've seen lots of pro's without talent in many parts of the world

That's true for ALL artistic professions around the world.

Most people feel like a pro when they have a big shiny lens on their big shiny camera and someone inquires as to their profession at the local zoo.

Most people know they're a pro when their accountancy fees exceed their daily rate

You're only an amateur if you don't have to speak to accountant about your photography.

Obsession, talent and ability nothing to do with it.

Simple really.

a pro gets paid

Pro, yeah like has been stated doesn't mean you are any good but you may be. I have seen people stay in business and wonder how. Its like music. So much is poorly recorded but people don't expect or have learned the difference. A good pro is going to get what they are supposed to get when they do the job. You pull it no matter what, it is your job. This should mean quality and a level of work that rises above most and on a job by job basis.

I believe the 80 percent rule is accurate for legal reasons. Especially when you enter a photo contest and it says no professionals. In this case you can enter with that definition.

When I had to pay quarterly state taxes.......