Thanks for the comments guys - in my espresso induced high last night I wrote my dissertation regarding a "professional" so it was probably a little more passionate than usual I just took a leisurely 100 mile motorcycle ride and reflected on my posting as well as those from others on the forum.
When I meet with clients I actually tell them what I do for a living and why I do my photography because it's what moves me and if I could turn back the hands of time and figure out how to pay for school i would make it my living but that time has long past...
I'm not trying to take away from what a full time working photographer does, it's not an easy life these days. I do have quite a few good friends that are full time photographers and know first hand how the weekend warriors with sub $1000 cameras doing shoot and burns for $1500 or less are affecting the market. These guys affect me as well - I can't compete with them.
Do I have a different set of circumstances since I have a full time job and a second job as a wedding photographer - yes I do, I have the luxury of having two incomes and insurance but it comes at a cost... Time. I probably spend 20-30 hours per wedding on top of the 40 hours I work at my other job.
I really do appreciate someone who has made the commitment to be a full time photographer - I sometimes wish they would appreciate those of us who contribute to the craft and do it in a professional manner. I consider myself a professional because of the way I present myself, by the end results I provide and by the sheer fact I continually update myself with training, reading, equipment and I practice my craft.
I hope that helps helps clarify what I was trying to get across last night...
Jeff
I'm a pro. I make 100 percent of my income from photography. If I made, say 80% of it from photography ... I'd be a semi-pro photographer. If I worked weekends to suplement my income to buy gear .... I'd be a .... hmmm ... I dunno ... a weekend warrior?
I've worked as a "pro" twice in in my life. The first time I said to myself that I will never do that again ... but you know how life goes - Now I'm doing it again thirty years later.
The fact of the matter is that amateur is where it's at. Get over it ... get used to it. That is the cat's meow. As a pro you shoot to someone elses standards. (those color blind people who think bokeh is when you can't pronounce the word broken) You make money at it ... in my case I'm one of the now rare few shooters who is salaried.
I've never had to take so many "grip and grin" pictures before being bestowed this wonderfull title of pro. I've never had to take so many mediocre pictures before. Oh well, I'm can't complain. Its a pretty good job which is very rare nowadays and I do quite well.
On second thought ... I take that back. I'd like to complain please, just a bit anyhow, because ... where the F*ck has my hobby gone to!
I guess in the end the amateur photographer often does not know how good he has it. I think the main difference between him and I and other "lucky" souls like me is that he shoots what he wants and when he wants. I shoot what they want, when they want it, how they want it ... and I better come back with something EVERY time - or I may get to be an amateur shortly.
I don't know how much longer I can deal with being so lucky.
I just took a leisurely 100 mile motorcycle ride and reflected on my posting as well as those from others on the forum.