For those beginners who charge $$$'s

[Jeatley]

First of all, I am not complaining about new photographers and really could careless about who claims to be a pro and who does not. Anyone that wants to be a professional photography can be, and I wish them the best and hope to learn from them and maybe they can learn from me. Now to clear this up. Being a professional is alot more than just being paid to do something.

Now here is the definition, just so we are clear

Expert and specialized knowledge in field which one is practicing professionally.[SUP][6][/SUP]
Excellent manual/practical and literary skills in relation to profession.[SUP][7][/SUP]
High quality work in (examples): creations, products, services, presentations, consultancy, primary/other research, administrative, marketing or other work endeavors.
A high standard of professional ethics, behavior 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.
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.
Participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs b : having a particular profession as a permanent career c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return[SUP][6][/SUP]
Appropriate treatment of relationships with colleagues. Special respect should be demonstrated to special people and interns. An example must be set to perpetuate the attitude of one's business without doing it harm.
A professional is an expert who is master in a specific field.

 

[Tigertail]

There should be a thread about how the people you do end up working for free for will be the absolute most demanding and lacking in IQ!! -.-

 

[c.cloudwalker]

When did common sense become so uncommon?

Since somewhat before 1994 when this book came out, lol.

Amazon.com: The Death of Common Sense: How Law Is Suffocating America (9780812982749): Philip K. Howard: Books

 

[doubleoh7]

Jeatley,

You make some valid points in your first reply to me - getting technical to the definition however, Ronaldo is again on point imho. Even above that, though, being a professional, is just that what is your profession, what are you professing to be your position. Way different than being successful at what you do. Just because someone says they are a "pro" (anything) does not necessitate they are a successful pro. That was my point -

 

[ClickAddict]

First of all, I am not complaining about new photographers and really could careless about who claims to be a pro and who does not. Anyone that wants to be a professional photography can be, and I wish them the best and hope to learn from them and maybe they can learn from me. Now to clear this up. Being a professional is alot more than just being paid to do something.

Now here is the definition, just so we are clear

Expert and specialized knowledge in field which one is practicing professionally.[SUP][6][/SUP]
Excellent manual/practical and literary skills in relation to profession.[SUP][7][/SUP]
High quality work in (examples): creations, products, services, presentations, consultancy, primary/other research, administrative, marketing or other work endeavors.
A high standard of professional ethics, behavior 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.
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.
Participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs b : having a particular profession as a permanent career c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return[SUP][6][/SUP]
Appropriate treatment of relationships with colleagues. Special respect should be demonstrated to special people and interns. An example must be set to perpetuate the attitude of one's business without doing it harm.
A professional is an expert who is master in a specific field.

Jeatly,
Not taking either side on the definition of PRO (This has been debated to death here in other posts), but even in your list of definitions you have the one which you are arguing against. Some define pro as skill level others by if they get paid or not. Obviously you guys simply differ on which you believe in.

 

[eric rose]

Very good piece. Weekend warriors should take note.

 

[pkae1989]

Funny, but also enlightening.. Thanks!

 

[jgooz]

ya good read, thanks for posting it

 

[Robin Usagani]

Besides wedding photography, I also do cosmetic surgery.

 

[pgriz]

Probably beating a dead horse (thread?) here, but thought I'd share this link, posted by a real pro photographer (he does photojournalism for several national papers)...You Are Not a Photographer

He's the one who told me that if I have to think about what I'm shooting, I'm not as... um, polished, as a photographer as I could be. He was and is right. Anyways, have a laugh... (and no, none of my stuff is on that link).

 

[radiorickm]

You know, I have thought about this for years....
I realize that "Professional" and "Amateur" are pretty much labels, and in the end it is just what we call ourselves. Then I realize that it's what we get out of doing what we do, that makes us do it.

I have a full time carreer, and then some. I have dedicated 23 years to my carreer, and have just a few more to go. Photography is certainly more that a hobby to me. As much as I love taking pictures and doing photography, there is a certrain attraction to the reaction of people who see the photographs.

I live in a small town, far removed from the bustle of a big city. But in truth, there are at least a couple of other photographers in my area. One is retired from his job and probably doesn't rely on the income. The other lady, I think her husband has a job, and she does photography to supplement their income. My "life" is paid for by my job, and I certainly have never desired to take food off of someones table.

So in that, I have came up with a different pholisophy about getting paid for doing things. I want to provide something, a different kind of portrait, that these Professionals don't offer. So it may not be a "formal Studio Protrait", but It is something I generally put a lot of effort and planning into to. I leave the controlled environment of the studio and wander out into the big wide world and try to make something great out a generally bad situation.

But the fact is, that I enjoy doing it. I choose not to charge a lot, because I know that the people I photograh can't afford it. It is a choice of feeding the family, or having portraits done. I relish the photos of my kids, and my childhood that I have, and I hope that I can give something back to them.

 

[postalkitty]

Awesome read. Thank you for sharing. It prevented me from being an asshole and spurned me to get better better BETTER! Now I am looking into classes and photo clubs (which I didn't know existed) before I decide to stamp my photos and wear them proudly. I want to do amazing, not ok, eh, or decent.

 

[Jeatley]

I like to argue for the sake of arguing sometimes! LOL Keeps me awake! LOL Anyway It is a good post and something for people to think about

 

[adversus]

Probably beating a dead horse (thread?) here, but thought I'd share this link, posted by a real pro photographer (he does photojournalism for several national papers)...You Are Not a Photographer

He's the one who told me that if I have to think about what I'm shooting, I'm not as... um, polished, as a photographer as I could be. He was and is right. Anyways, have a laugh... (and no, none of my stuff is on that link).

I've seen that site before, and most of the photographs he publishes would be considered "atrocious" to most of us on this forum.

But it really grates my cheese when well established professionals (who use photography as their sole source of income) throw a bitchy fit about the proliferation of photography (thanks in no small part to the iPhone/Android powered phones with above average cameras, and really outstanding DSLR's that the average Joe can afford).

I read blog post (link escapes me) from a photojournalist who was just LIVID that his lively hood was being "taken away" by the masses of Flickr. His beef was that Getty is now culling photos from Flickr instead of relying on established contributors like himself. Rather than being happy an art-form he is passionate about becoming more open to the masses, he feels bitter than an individual these days can pick up a camera, start learning the craft, and produce photographs worthy of publication.

That attitude is the one aspect I absolutely loathe about the photography community.

 

[Kerbouchard]

I read blog post (link escapes me) from a photojournalist who was just LIVID that his lively hood was being "taken away" by the masses of Flickr. His beef was that Getty is now culling photos from Flickr instead of relying on established contributors like himself. Rather than being happy an art-form he is passionate about becoming more open to the masses, he feels bitter than an individual these days can pick up a camera, start learning the craft, and produce photographs worthy of publication.

That attitude is the one aspect I absolutely loathe about the photography community.

FWIW, I don't think photographers have the corner on the bitterness or the effects technology has had on their livliehoods. You don't think a lot of attorneys curse when they hear an advertisement for legalzoom? Accountants and tax professionals aren't nearly as common place as they once were because of software like quicken and turbotax. Heck, when is the last time you used a travel agent?

Some professions are going to shrink to exist as only a niche market. Some will be eliminated altogether. Some will completely transform.

As far as photography goes, not much point in bemoaning the circumstances. Some will adapt and some will go out of business. Such is life, but whoever your blogger was, he was right about one thing, Getty has all but put the professional sports photographer out of business.