Who actually on TPF is a paid working professional photographer?

[480sparky]

........... Its a very simple question.

Actually, it isn't.

[Ads]

[O|||||||O]

I think the question was simple enough. Is photography your primary source of income? Yes or No.

There is no grey area... The "greyness" comes in when people assume that a pro is good at what they do. That would be nice if it were true, but a lot of times, it isn't.

[vipgraphx]

Why do you want to know?

.

Why not?

I don't disagree that there might be reasons why someone would want to know this. I wanted to know YOUR reasons.
Why does this matter to you?

I think I have said that already. I am curious to know the ratio on the forum of hobbyist vs pro meaning you make 100% of your income as a professional photographer. Thats it man just plain and simple........

Shouldnt it just be who has professional level work? I could care less if Steve shot his friends wedding for $200, I only care about the quality of the work.


to answer your question I make (very little) money off my landscape photography but I do occasionally do aircraft photo shoots at work. That hourly rate is VERY good for a photographer.

Seems like no matter what there is always going to be an issue here. Why can't people just post and keep it simple.

"Yes" I am a paid professional, I earn a living off of photography...

"NO" I am a hobbyist or semi pro who sometimes gets paid for work or sells a print....

Good or bad is irrelevant at this point because we all have an opinion on what is good and or bad. Thus why I was not asking for another debate on opinions of what makes a professional good or bad....blah blah blah blah...


Example
If a Baseball player is on the MLB team he is a " Paid Professional" does it matter if he sits the bench as a relief player or he is a big name big player? Not at this point because that is not the question.

If you go to the park with your pals for a weekend pick up game and and you have the skills to pay the bills but your not in the MLB making a living than your not a paid professional and more like a hobbyist.....


Whether your work is professional is a whole other topic and would most likely cause an earthquake on the forum. If someone wants to start a thread about that is up to he/she to do so.

[vipgraphx]

........... Its a very simple question.

Actually, it isn't.

Actually, it is....do you make 100% of your income and work full time as a photographer or not?? OR are you an active hobbyist who uses photography as supplemental income..or just a hobbyist who is in it for the fun...

[O|||||||O]

Since I haven't actually answered the question yet - I am a hobbyist, but I make money on the side when I can. I do not consider myself a pro.

[spacefuzz]

I think the question was simple enough. Is photography your primary source of income? Yes or No.

There is no grey area... The "greyness" comes in when people assume that a pro is good at what they do. That would be nice if it were true, but a lot of times, it isn't.

The question of photography as a primary source of income is completely different from being a professional.

Now granted this is from wikipedia so take it as you may but....

Definition The main criteria for professional include the following:

1. Expert and specialized knowledge in field which one is practicing professionally.^[5]
2. Excellent manual/practical and literary skills in relation to profession.^[6]
3. High quality work in (examples): creations, products, services, presentations, consultancy, primary/other research, administrative, marketing, photography or other work endeavours.
4. A high standard of professional ethics, behaviour and work activities while carrying out one's profession (as an employee, self-employed person, career, enterprise, business, company, or partnership/associate/colleague, etc.). The professional owes a higher duty to a client, often a privilege of confidentiality, as well as a duty not to abandon the client just because he or she may not be able to pay or remunerate the professional. Often the professional is required to put the interest of the client ahead of his own interests.
5. Reasonable work morale and motivation. Having interest and desire to do a job well as holding positive attitude towards the profession are important elements in attaining a high level of professionalism.
6. Participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavour often engaged in by amateurs b : having a particular profession as a permanent career c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return^[5]
7. Appropriate treatment of relationships with colleagues. Consideration should be shown to elderly, junior or inexperienced colleagues, as well as those with special needs. An example must be set to perpetuate the attitude of one's business without doing it harm.
8. A professional is an expert who is master in a specific field.

Analysis: So looking at the above reasons, yes monetary gain is among them, but it is not the primary factor, and it is also not stipulated that you HAVE to make your entire living off that profession. In this definition work quality also plays a large factor, which I see in other professions. Photography should be no different.

As an example, in my field of engineering to become a Professional and be allowed to use that term in your title and / or business, you need to meet strict criteria which includes expert knowledge in your field, years of experience, quality work, several tests, ethics, peer review, etc.

I know there are organizations out there that provide tests and will give you the title of professional photographer. That should be used as the standard, not how much money you make off it.

Ok thats my soapbox you can all continue arguing.

[Bitter Jeweler]

Seems like no matter what there is always going to be an issue here. Why can't people just post and keep it .

You used the magic word, silly!

When you use that word, argument ensues.
It's really that simple.

[Bitter Jeweler]

]

The question of photography as a primary source of income is completely different from being a professional.

.

Why does this have to be this difficult? No seriously? This isn't brain surgery, rocket science, or freakin' engineering. It's a freaking simple question.

Freaking "poor word choice" nazis.

[prodigy2k7]

You can still be a paid professional photographer and still make more money with another job.

[Bitter Jeweler]

[bentcountershaft]

I've been known to shoot for beer but photography isn't my only source of beer.

[O|||||||O]

Some people are either unable to read between the lines, or just like to argue.

Whatever words he used, I think it's pretty clear what the OP is actually asking.

[Bitter Jeweler]

I know, right?!

[prodigy2k7]

If you're talking about me. I just didn't feel like reading all the posts before replying lol.

[Buckster]

I know, right?!

100% agreed. It's just too simple.

I'm not someone who makes his living from photography. I'm a hobbiest who makes less with it per year than I spend in new gear per year, and I'm just fine with that.