Picture: Photographers lined up at sunset to photograph Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California
Every so often when I see other photographers in the field, I’ll ask, “are you a Pro?” I do this mainly because I pay attention to photography credit lines, and I wonder if they are someone whose name I might recognize. In the field, it’s a simple question.
The question is not so simple on Internet forums devoted to photography, where asking, “what makes someone a Professional” (vs. an amateur) will usually elicit a bevy of strong opinions, leading to some often very spirited discussions. Just the other day, I came across one such discussion. With over 80 replies already posted in response to that question, I still felt compelled to share my own definition that I’d like to share here as well:
I’m a pro. I’m also Professional. I recognize when I am dealing with other Professionals, as well as when I’m dealing with those who aren’t pros.
To be a “Pro” is to derive the bulk (majority) of your income from the sale of a photographic product or service. A Pro can and must be able to deliver high quality images on demand, on a repeated basis, as needed to fulfill client or customer needs & requirements. A Pro understands the costs of providing his / her product or service, and the value of doing the same.
To be a “Professional” is to define how you present yourself to clients, vendors, peers, and those hoping to enter the industry. A Professional knows that places like flickr or smugmug aren’t the right place to put your “professional” portfolio or build as your primary online presence. A Professional understands the business and legal ramifications of the industry, and is versed in being able to apply the correct technical solution in any given situation. A Professional always takes the High Road. A Professional is often defined by how they accept responsibility for screw-ups, and the efforts which they put forth to correct problems. A Professional wants to help bring people up, or inform the uneducated, rather than knock others down, or keep them in the dark.
Are you a Pro?
I like your definition(s). You can usually spot the difference by how people replied to those sorts of discussions anyway.
I’m neither btw. I don’t think I’m good enough or motivated enough to make any real income with photos. From the pros I’ve talked to (mainly underwater photography though) they seem to have to work twice as hard as I do to make their crust (even though their work is more fun) and its the words in the articles/books that pay the bills in the end. It seems a sad state of affairs to me when the photos are so beautiful and should stand in their own right.
Interesting blog.
Thanks for the comment, Suzy.
I hope you mean “interesting” in a good way. 🙂