Who actually on TPF is a paid working professional photographer?

[chuasam]

That is actually the sign of an amateur. Pros don't spend any money on gear they can't pay within a few shoots...

Why do I not believe this statement......

Because you're an amateur...

Don't mean to be an a**hole but if you ever become a pro, you will get it.

I concur. I still own my gear but someday I'll be at the point where I don't even own the camera I'll use on the shoot. Someday.

[Ads]

[JeremyDueckPhoto]

I have a full-time regular job plus ~30hrs a week with my photography business. http://www.jeremydueckphotography.com/

[bunny99123]

I am not a Pro. I am an amateur whom wants to learn. I do make some income, but most of my photography is volunteer shoots for nonprofit groups. I make more money from graphics and enhancments. To some it is clear cut to what they consider a Pro...Now days who really knows, with advancement in technology. IMO...a good P&S can take quality photos. A Pro does not make you a good or bad photographer. I have seen some Pro's that blow me away, and some that boredom leads to not another photo to look at! Same situation with people who do it for a hobby or as a part-time income. It is a simple question that is being asked, and makes a person wonder when they read the posts. In the end, we all love taking pictures or we would not be on here

[snowbear]

Amateur.

[unpopular]

I do not get paid to make photographs, and I have no intention t ever get paid for my photographs outside a gallery.

[yerlem]

Why does it have to be so complicated?? You know when someone asks "what do you do for a living?" if your answer is "I'm a photographer" then you should reply YES to the OPs question. If not, then you should reply NO. being good or bad at the job doesn't mean anything.

My answer is NO, I'm an ultra noob yeeeay

[imagemaker46]

It's because people like to try and put themselves in a catagory other than amateur or professional. Some are semi-pro, some are promateurs, some get paid for one photo and they are part time professional. They simply can't just say. I am a professional or I am an amateur.

I am a professional photographer, it is what I do for a living.

[Carny]

Amateur here.

I've never been paid to take a photo, but I have made enough money buying and selling photo gear to pay for everything I have. Does that count for anything? lol

I can't believe how freaking ridiculous some people are. Why get offended by such a simple question?

[Solarflare]

This is just my new hobby. Not planning to make any money with it. I just wanna have fun.

[unpopular]

I think the only time that knowing if someone is a professional or not is if the question has to do with business practices.

[imagemaker46]

I think the only time that knowing if someone is a professional or not is if the question has to do with business practices.

I agree, if someone is looking to hire a photographer they should expect to get a professional, and that has to do with the professional side of being in business.

[Forkie]

I'm a photographer for a marketing/e-Commerce company, but I separate my work photography from my hobby photography. The fact that I take photos for a living doesn't convince me that I'm a professional!

However, if someone asks me what my job is, I say photographer.

[rachibee]

I work as a photographer with a portrait company...I've only been at it 2 months, and to be honest I don't consider myself a professional photographer yet. I feel like I still have waaaay too much to learn and improve on. But then again, photography is one of those things where you are always learning, no matter how long you've been doing it. So maybe I only feel that way because I'm still in college and this is only a part-time job? Who knows. But even as someone who is PAID to take pictures...I'm just an "amateur who happened to get a part-time job doing what she loves to help pay for school".

[skieur]

I am a professional media producer.

skieur

[JAC526]

Working mostly for an Internet portal, as photographer and graphic editor. Besides, reports on location for a fashion trademark. Assignments on the side, here and there.

I would like to put this forth as a potential good answer. An answer of the type that maybe the OP was looking for?

The OP doesn't seem to want anyone's opinion on what constitutes a Pro but instead who thinks of themselves as a Pro.

Very confusing.