Am I a professional photographer...?

[runnah]

Lets put together a list of questions you can ask yourself to see if you are a professional or not.

First off I do not consider myself professional so take my questions with a grain of salt.

1. Do I know what lens I'd use in any given situation?
2. Do I know how to use basic lighting tools?
3. Can I utilize lighting tools to enhance my photos?
4. Do I have a basic understanding of contracts and the business aspect of photography?
5. Am I insured?
6. Is my Equipment insured?
7. Can I properly pose a single person and large groups?


That's all I got. Lets hear from the real Pros here and maybe we can sticky this thread.

 

[Mully]

LOL I passed.. whew thought maybe I would not make it.

 

[Ballistics]

I think a title for these questions would be, am I an expert photographer.

A professional photographer is someone who collects money for their photos.
They can have less than half of that list checked off and still be considered a pro.

Beyond that, questions like number 3, 6 and 7 aren't universal.
Think about sports photographers that don't own their own equipment, don't use flash and has never posed a person in their life.

 

[Mully]

^^^^ Don't take him seriously ...he is from Maine

 

[ronlane]

6. Is my Equipment insured?

How does this make you professional? Anyone can do this but it won't make them a professional. I even bet there are some professionals that don't have insurance.

I have insurance on my musical instruments (guitar and mandolin) but I'm hardly a professional. I just want the protection that insurance provides.

I'm not trying to start an arguement about this list because those are really good questions. I just question this one item being on there.

 

[Ballistics]

^^^^ Don't take him seriously ...he is from Maine

It's still fun to play along .

Think about it though. Photography is an art. Besides the business aspect of it, you can take bland pictures and still be considered on of the greatest photographers in the world.
Hell, this is the most expensive photograph ever made - Google Image Result for http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/andreas-gursky-rhine-II-most-expensive-photograph.jpg

 

[runnah]

Again I am not a pro, I am just culling from what I see on here every other week.

Feel free to add your own questions.

 

[gsgary]

A pro is someone who gets paid more than 50% of their annual income

 

[ronlane]

runnah, I'm not a pro either. (heck sometimes I question if I am a hobbyist.) I just love to take pictures and learn about photography.

 

[ronlane]

A pro is someone who gets paid more than 50% of their annual income

I get paid 100% of my annual income.. less taxes and insurance and retirement... :lmao: Just none of that is from photography.

 

[Ballistics]

Again I am not a pro, I am just culling from what I see on here every other week.

Feel free to add your own questions.

So do you feel that these questions define a professional photographer on a universal level?

 

[gsgary]

You dont even have to be a good photographer to be pro

 

[weepete]

Quite clearly the only question should be "Do you own a DSLR?"

 

[mishele]

Facebook page is a true sign.

 

[runnah]

So do you feel that these questions define a professional photographer on a universal level?

Are you thick?

This is the third time I am going to say this. I am not a pro, I am pulling questions I see posted on here on a weekly basis.

Do I need to draw you a picture?