Hey Everyone,

I'm probably like many of us here who at one point or another have been facinated with being, becoming, or at least being called a "Professional Photographer". Why are we so facinated to becoming pro? Anyone have any thoughts on this?

My guess is that it has something to do with wanting to earn money doing something we really love to do. Another guess would be that if someone paid us for being a photographer it's like a true validation to our skills as a photographer. Or is it personal validation and being a pro is a level of personal achevment as a photographer. Any guesses or real world experiences out there?

I guess I'm targeting those of us who have other jobs and "think" about going pro. For those who've decided that "I'll never turn pro" well it's then crossed your mind in the past at one point or another.

I'm a psychologist as my day job - It's in my nature to spend time overthinking things.

brad_s wrote:
Hey Everyone,

I'm probably like many of us here who at one point or another have been facinated with being, becoming, or at least being called a "Professional Photographer". Why are we so facinated to becoming pro? Anyone have any thoughts on this?

My guess is that it has something to do with wanting to earn money doing something we really love to do. Another guess would be that if someone paid us for being a photographer it's like a true validation to our skills as a photographer. Or is it personal validation and being a pro is a level of personal achevment as a photographer. Any guesses or real world experiences out there?

I guess I'm targeting those of us who have other jobs and "think" about going pro. For those who've decided that "I'll never turn pro" well it's then crossed your mind in the past at one point or another.

I'm a psychologist as my day job - It's in my nature to spend time overthinking things.


It's like the question often asked of wildlife photographers:

Ques - What do they say about photographers with BIG lenses?
Answr - (well, you can fill in the blanks - my take is that they may make good images)

are you talking this board or in general? if it is here specifically i would credit it to the people who come here. however there are many of us who just enjoy photography and that is it. if you are talking other boards as dp etc..... then i would credit that to any stereotypical person who gets any camera takes a b&w photo of any random object, has it developed at any drug store and then claims they are all artsy and think they can be a pro at that point.

You're a psychologist and you don't know the answer?

I don't want to be a pro, but I do like having the access of pros for shooting sports or events. On occasion I get to be on the sidelines for college (Big Ten) football and other sports and have a blast. No deadlines no pressure.

I am close to retiring and don't want a job.

There's probably no one answer to the question. What does professionalism mean to you? What does it mean to someone who is trying to 'break into' the art world? What does it mean in a context of power? What does it mean to a potential client?

I'd wager on legitimizing a pursuit which people love and have worked hard to master. Professionalism generally comes with standards, an expectation of craftsmanship and skill; things which help to differentiate the layman from the skilled. So in this way there's an element of validation but also recognition and autonomy coming from something one enjoys

Avoid confusing professionalism with professional, a professional photographer is someone who gets paid to take photos.

corndog wrote:
Avoid confusing professionalism with professional, a professional photographer is someone who gets paid to take photos.

+1

This was originally in the Canon Forum until it was moved - so the question isn't targeted at existing pros but hobbyist that seem to have the thoughts of "going pro". Of all the hobbies and sports I've participated in I've never heard so many amature as a collective whole talk about "going pro" as this hobby. So I was probing for ideas around this to see why this comes up so much. There's no fault in it and I myself have thought about this frequently.

It's not a hobby for a lot of people, it's a job. That's your problem right there: looking at it as something that one decides to transition from hobby to profession with. You're ignoring the legion of photographers who started out shooting as a job and have always viewed it as such.

When did you decide to transition from just recreationally plumbing people's minds to doing it professionally?

When I first set up I was spouting that crap anywhere I could 'pro'... It's insecurity. Try hards do it.
Now I'm confident - I avoid the word.

The quickest way to take the fun out of anything is to start doing it for money or to please other people. Just my opinion.

It is how I pay the mortgage, bills etc and have done so for nearly 2 decades. It is what I do; not necessarily who I am; a part.
I am not nearly concerned with what I am called, just that I am paid by clients in a timely manner and the check clears and that I continue to have clients...

Gary; I do not agree. Sure some days are better and some not so much, however, I am happy to do what I do. See your 'smiley', perhaps a bit of tongue in cheek?

Aberdeen Photo wrote:
It is how I pay the mortgage, bills etc and have done so for nearly 2 decades. It is what I do; not necessarily who I am; a part.
I am not nearly concerned with what I am called, just that I am paid by clients in a timely manner and the check clears and that I continue to have clients...

Gary; I do not agree. Sure some days are better and some not so much, however, I am happy to do what I do. See your 'smiley', perhaps a bit of tongue in cheek?



No, actually that's how I feel. No matter what it is, it takes a little fun out of it when you have to please other people instead of just pleasing yourself. Not to mention all of the considerations of operating any business or working for any company that has nothing to do with photography. I do realize that there is a certain satisfaction when others are pleased with your work, as well as, getting paid for your work. But, for me, photography is much more enjoyable as a hobby, not as a profession.

The smily face was meant to indicate that I wasn't being critical of anyone who has chosen photography as a profession. We all have to do something for a living and I certainly respect all working photographers.

garyroach wrote:
The quickest way to take the fun out of anything is to start doing it for money or to please other people. Just my opinion.


I have always said it's the quickest way to ruin a hobby, but I wouldn't quite put it that way. I don't generally have fun when I'm working, but that's a far cry from saying I don't enjoy my work. On the worst days it's boring, but most of the time I enjoy my job and find it satisfying. But at the end of an 8 hour day shooting I don't want to pick up my camera and shoot my kids playing in the backyard. I rarely shoot simply for myself anymore, which has killed the hobby aspect of photography for me.


Now if only I could figure out a way to earn a respectable living in the market I'm in.

Nathan Whitchu wrote:
garyroach wrote:
The quickest way to take the fun out of anything is to start doing it for money or to please other people. Just my opinion.


I have always said it's the quickest way to ruin a hobby, but I wouldn't quite put it that way. I don't generally have fun when I'm working, but that's a far cry from saying I don't enjoy my work. On the worst days it's boring, but most of the time I enjoy my job and find it satisfying. But at the end of an 8 hour day shooting I don't want to pick up my camera and shoot my kids playing in the backyard. I rarely shoot simply for myself anymore, which has killed the hobby aspect of photography for me.


I'm the opposite. I love it that I make a living from photography. I know how good I have it and I'm not about to change for anyone. Everytime I pick up a camera, for work or pleasure, I'm having a great time. I still carry a "personal" camera everywhere I go and my business partner and I still have weekends away shooting for a blast.

Gordon

life is too short to spend it in dayjob you dont like.
Photography is one of very few branches which can be your best hobby, and exciting creative job.

After retiring from a 40 year career not related to photography I wanted to advance my skills and see if I could cut it as a professional photographer. I found out that I really like the access that photojournalism gives, especially in the worlds of politics and sports. After the challenge was gone I found out that, as others have touched upon, photography isn't as much fun as it used to be. And my images don't win as many prizes as they used to. I am now scaling back my paid shooting schedule and trying to revitalize the more creative, or hobbyist, side of my photography. But I still want to keep involved at a minimal level, maybe I am addicted to the "access".