Who actually on TPF is a paid working professional photographer?

[vipgraphx]

There are a lot of people on this site and I was wondering who actually on TPF is a paid working professional photographer?

Just curious to see how many people are actually just hobbyists or professionals. It would be great to be able to put a pro or hobbyist by the persons name/avatar in my head, as a reference.


I am not a paid working professional photographer?

[Ads]

[480sparky]

Define the phrase paid working professional photographer.

[vipgraphx]

Someone who makes a living as a professional photographer. Whether it be operating and owning a successful business or working for a firm or buisness. Could be working for a newspaper, some type of magazine photographer and so forth. Someone who is a paid working professional without other means of income. Not a person who just makes side money here and there...

[Vtec44]

I'm a hybrid.

[jwbryson1]

Someone who makes a living as a professional photographer. Whether it be operating and owning a successful business or working for a firm or buisness. Could be working for a newspaper, some type of magazine photographer and so forth. Someone who is a paid working professional without other means of income. Not a person who just makes side money here and there...

I'm not sure it really matters if (i) you get paid, or (ii) you work as a photographer to make a living. There are hobbyists who have been doing photography for decades and they have mad skills, but they make a living doing something completely different. Why does it matter how they make a living if they have superior skills? I can learn from anybody with more skill than I have.

[pgriz]

Lesseee... I'm paid (but not as often as I'd like), I'm working (maybe too much), I'm professional (or so I tell myself), and I'm a photographer (have camera, click shutters). Check, Check, Check, Check. Ergo, I must be... A paid, working, professional photographer!



Not. (sorry, couldn't resist...)

[Trever1t]

what about those persons who do get paid to shoot part time and hold full time jobs doing other things

[vipgraphx]

what about those persons who do get paid to shoot part time and hold full time jobs doing other things

Yeah I guess that would qualify as well as long as give a description of your individual circumstance.

[MReid]

Two years ago I was making 1/3 of my income from photography. I have scaled back a lot in the last couple years.....just too many hours for the pay check.

[bhop]

I'm not sure it really matters if (i) you get paid, or (ii) you work as a photographer to make a living. There are hobbyists who have been doing photography for decades and they have mad skills, but they make a living doing something completely different. Why does it matter how they make a living if they have superior skills? I can learn from anybody with more skill than I have.

He just said he was curious.. nothing wrong with curiosity.

fwiw, i'm a mere hobbyist..

[Balmiesgirl]

I have students who come in and say they are a pro now cause they just got paid for taking photos.....0 skills- mostly luck..... And I know hobbyists that know enough to be a very successful pro but would rather make a real living wage doing something else

[CCericola]

When I started out on my own after workking for studios i was 90% photography and 10% design services. That was in 2003. I am now 75% design services and promotional products and 25% photography services. That's is why I rent a lot of equipment now instead of buying.

[Crollo]

I have students who come in and say they are a pro now cause they just got paid for taking photos

That is the definition of a professional. Somebody who makes a profit with their work.

[480sparky]

I have students who come in and say they are a pro now cause they just got paid for taking photos

That is the definition of a professional. Somebody who makes a profit with their work.

Selling some photos ≠ making a profit.

[sandraadamson]

I'm a hybrid as well.

www.sandraadamson.com www.sandraadamson.blogspot.com