Are you a pro photographer?

Well let me say I am a photographer not a a pro. I don't get paid I don't think I am good enough to get paid. But I am learning. I love to take pictures have since I was like 8 years old. I go to the beach just to take pics of the sand the water lighthouses. Not to lay in the sun. I go to the mountains to see the wildlife the trees waterfalls. Sun rise and set the same for the moon. My mom said how many pictures do you need of the Blue Ridge Parkway . It is the same year after year. Nope mom it is not it is always changing just as I have grown up. There is always something diffrent in every picture . Sorry if this is lame so some or at least thats what my teenager say.

Amateur....Hobbyist...... such a thin line. I have taken a few classes, I have some talent (at least so I am told, if I believe them is something all together different) passion. Ah sweet passion.....the drive that makes me get out of bed at 3 am on a saturday when I dont have to work, to drive at least an hour to spot where I will sit for hours hoping for a cool as hell bird or animal walk past by me. My wife says it is craziness and/or idiocy that makes me set the alarm for 3 am on sat when I could be sleeping.......I may not be a pro, but I have passion....might not have the talent but I have the passion, and I take umbrage with the thought because I am not pro I do not have passion

A combo of tech knowledge, composition skills and ability to deliver what the client wants. Personally I think that what sets most pros apart from hobbyists is the time management component. A pro has to deliver by a deadline or risk not being paid & risking the reputation being tarnished. An amateur doesn't need to worry about those things

Agree Ninja,

I often buy pictures and I do not see if the picture is by some one Pro/ Amateur/ Hobbyist. Good picture is Good Picture. Value of a picture is not real value, but a perceived value.

This title, "PRO" are necessary when we wish to project a commercial aspect of what we do and not necessarily being "PRO" or claiming to be "PRO" can be directly linked with quality. I am pretty sure all "Pro" Photographers have done crappy jobs more than once.

I click because shutter sound gives me goose bums. Call me Amateur or Professional, all the same as far as buyer is happy.

That's the plan for me. I agree that it is so much more than making money from your images though. It is a professionalism running though your work and interactions too.

Robynaudrey wrote: It is a professionalism running though your work and interactions too.

Yes and it's nice to hear feedback like this (from an email I got today):
"Thanks for your incredible courtesy and co-operation!
...
Thanks again to the excellent service provided by you."

mamielong wrote: I think a hobbist is a person that lacks skill and passion. I Love what I do and I love doing it. Im am a pro and I have seen many hobbist try try to go pro and not really have the passion and skill as a pro. I have taken maybe photography classes and even won some awards and even published. I think that makes a pro different than a hobbist.

Really? I don't consider myself a "pro". I don't make the majority of my income from my photography. I too have been published and am extremely passionate about this craft. I've also seen many "pro's" out there that don't have passion and skill, they just want another dollar. I don't lump all the professional's into that category, so please don't do the same to us.

At this point in time I may be a hobbyist, but I like to think that I am thinking and taking photographs as a professional.

I am a hobbyist. I enjoy shooting and have no plans on making $.

Yes, my husband assumes because he bought my equipment, I can just run out there and start making money. I believe my skills are improving, and I have been paid for a few of my prints, I don't think this in any way makes me a "pro". Would I love to make money from my photographs on a regular basis, you bet, the last thing I want to lose is the spark that I feel as I go out to shoot as a hobbyist.
So your question leaves me to wonder, are you speaking about being a pro because you're earning money, or are you a pro because of your skill level (as mentioned by someone else). In either case, I'm definitely not pro.

Isn't this a loaded question

I'm good behind the camera, but will stay humble and just say I'm good and pro to me is someone like Ansel Adams.

it is a loaded question and no one can really answer it because what is a pro someone who makes money and thats it? there is more to being a pro then just making money its also about knowledge of the field and the equipment.

MeganPearson wrote:

mamielong wrote: I think a hobbist is a person that lacks skill and passion. I Love what I do and I love doing it. Im am a pro and I have seen many hobbist try try to go pro and not really have the passion and skill as a pro. I have taken maybe photography classes and even won some awards and even published. I think that makes a pro different than a hobbist.

Really? I don't consider myself a "pro". I don't make the majority of my income from my photography. I too have been published and am extremely passionate about this craft. I've also seen many "pro's" out there that don't have passion and skill, they just want another dollar. I don't lump all the professional's into that category, so please don't do the same to us.

My sentiments exactly,agree with 100%.Been published means squat to me because i`ve seen Infrared images posted in the top magazines that I would delete as 'not good enough'.My Ir friends images are superior too.I`m not a 'pro' but my passion and my skill while it`s good needs to get better.

himanshu wrote: Agree Ninja,

I often buy pictures and I do not see if the picture is by some one Pro/ Amateur/ Hobbyist. Good picture is Good Picture. Value of a picture is not real value, but a perceived value.

This title, "PRO" are necessary when we wish to project a commercial aspect of what we do and not necessarily being "PRO" or claiming to be "PRO" can be directly linked with quality. I am pretty sure all "Pro" Photographers have done crappy jobs more than once.

I click because shutter sound gives me goose bums. Call me Amateur or Professional, all the same as far as buyer is happy.

Well I have been doing it as a hobby for many years.