I have always thought you were a pro. You have a website, blog, and you even advertise your phone number. And you seem to have very strong opinion when it comes to criticizing someone's work. If you aren't a pro, what is the point advertising your phone #?
Lots of people have websites, I like to show what I am working on. Many/most of my photographer friends have website also. Is that ego? Sure.
Blog - I have published a couple of technical books, written lots of scientific stuff, edited a good amount and have even written a novel that is deservedly unpublished. I like to write and, more important to me, write about my opinions and my experiences which are fairly varied. I get about 800 to 1000 reads on each piece so other people seem to get something out of them; I realize that's not any measure of how well I write or how right I am but, like most people who are used to public speaking, I'd rather speak to a crowd than to an empty room. Thus, blog occurs.
My telephone number - I have no idea why I include that, I don't advertise it in pop-ups with great deals, but it's there. I'd rather talk to people than read an email; I'm old fashioned that way.
The strong opinions - It is odd that you think strong opinions determines a pro. A professional will hold to his opinion as long as there's no dollars in the way; an amateur has the freedom to have opinions. As an involved amateur I've honed my likes/dislikes over time and hew to them quite closely for my own work. As far as expressing them, I try to tell the truth as I see it and always try to express it as my opinion rather than the absolute truth. Perhaps others are more used to a little more pu$$y-footing around than I'm willing to do. If my opinion makes sense in the abstract then listen to it, if it doesn't, don't.
As to whether I am a pro or not. I don't attempt to solicit business in any overt way. No facebook ads, no membership in professional groups to have an emblem for my web site, nothing like that.
If someone wants to pay me to do something I'd like to do anyway, great; that's like an extra reward for having a fun hobby. If someone wants to buy a picture that I have taken, also great. But shoot weddings or any similar things when I would have to do something I don't like, no, not for me.
I have the absolute freedom to be a second-rate amateur and willingly pass up the opportunity to be a third rate professional.
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